As of 2026, the title of the fastest train in the world belongs to the Shanghai Maglev in China for commercial operation, and the L0 Series Maglev in Japan for overall speed records. The Shanghai Maglev, which connects Pudong International Airport to the city outskirts, operates at a top commercial speed of 431 km/h (268 mph), using magnetic levitation technology to "float" above the tracks and eliminate friction. However, Japan's SCMaglev (L0 Series) holds the absolute world record for a manned train, having reached a staggering 603 km/h (375 mph) during test runs on the Yamanashi test track. This train is currently being developed for the Chuo Shinkansen line, which aims to connect Tokyo and Nagoya in just 40 minutes by the early 2030s. In terms of traditional "wheeled" or "conventional" trains, the CR400AF "Fuxing" in China is the leader, reaching commercial speeds of 350 km/h (217 mph). While French TGVs and Italian Frecciarossa trains are incredibly fast, they typically top out at 300-320 km/h in regular service, leaving the maglev technology in China and Japan as the undisputed champions of rail speed for the mid-2020s.