A must in the French landscape.
Inaugurated in September 1981, the High Speed Train (TGV, therefore) is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.
The SNCF and the government also wanted to mark the occasion through various events.
But however well-known, is the TGV still the benchmark on the rails?
Is it still one of the fastest trains in the world?
Answer: yes and no.
Admittedly, the TGV still keeps the absolute speed record on rails, with a peak recorded at 575 km / h in 2007. But the Japanese Maglev - a new generation magnetic levitation train - reached 603 km / h in 2015.
Note, however, that it should not be put into service until 2027. Ditto for a Chinese Maglev in preparation, also for 2027: it could reach, hope its designers, 800 km / h.
What about commercial speed?
Here again, the Japanese Maglev will win the day, with 505 km / h authorized.
That is to say in front of the 350 km / h of the Chinese Fuxing and the 320 km / h of the TGV and the Shinkansen (Japanese, again).
To see the rest of the ranking, go on board with this infographic from our partner Statista:
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