As for the fastest speeds ever reached by a train, the honour of fastest train in the world goes to the L0 Series SCMaglev in Japan. On its test track this Japanese maglev train reached a top speed of 603 km/h or 375 mph. That incredible achievement means it can travel at almost double regular shinkansen speeds.

The current world speed record for a Maglev train is 603 km/h (375 mph), set by the L0 Series Maglev operated by Central Japan Railway Company (JR Central) on a test track in Yamanashi in 2015. However, in late 2025 and early 2026, researchers in China have claimed significant new breakthroughs. Reports from the National University of Defense Technology indicate that a ton-scale superconductive Maglev test vehicle reached a maximum speed of 700 km/h (435 mph) on a 400-meter test line, accelerating to that speed in just two seconds. While the Japanese record remains the standard for a "manned" full-scale train on a traditional track, China's new research into vacuum-tube or "hyper-loop" style Maglev transport is pushing the boundaries toward 1,000 km/h. These ultra-high speeds are made possible by the lack of friction between the train and the tracks, as the vehicle "levitates" using powerful electromagnets, effectively turning rail travel into a ground-based alternative to air travel.