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Where’s The World’s Longest High Speed Rail Network?
AMAZING FACTS: China already has the longest high speed rail network in the world and by the end of 2015 China this will increase to 18,000 km (11,000 miles) of track. The coverage is planned to increase to 25,000 km (16,000 miles) by 2020. Although the Chinese bullet trains can comfortably reach speeds of 380 km/h (240 mph), for safety reasons most operate at around 300km/h. During a test run a train reached speeds of 487.3 km/h ( that’s 302.8 mph).
Step back to 1993 when average train speeds in China were 48 km/h (30 mph) and the railways were losing market share to the airlines and China’s fast expanding road expressway networks. Although not as fast as planes, the bullet trains are more environmentally friendly than motor vehicles. The Chinese high speed rail network of 1580 high-speed trains currently transports 1.33 million passengers every day.
Mike kindly sent in this video giving you a 5 minute condensed ride on a bullet train from Beijing to Hangzhou and then on another high speed train to Shanghai. Fascinating to watch.
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Thanks for the wonderful video, I had no idea China had progress so far. It was enlightening to see all that China has attained in so short a time, At this rate they will surpass the other world economies.
Fantastic! Loved it!
Have been on the TGV in France. Not only fast but on time and very comfortable. Have also been on the ICE in Germany and another train that we could use here. USA is in need of some fast and on time trains.
Dear Robert,
It is a wonderful video, I enjoyed it very much. Thank you.
I have traveled in trains all my life and still ENJOY traveling by trains.
Once again a very BIG THANKS.
Murli Naidu
A great video, didn’t realise China had all this train system up and running over these distances