China testing world’s fastest high-speed train prototype at 280 mph pace
China will solidify its lead in high-speed rail with the top three fastest trains globally.
CChina is moving closer to operating what may become the world’s fastest high-speed train. According to the Ministry of Transport, the CR450 prototypes have achieved test speeds of 450 kilometers per hour (281 miles per hour) and are expected to run at an operational speed of around 400 kilometers (248.5 miles) per hour.
Once commercial service begins, the CR450 could surpass China’s CR400 model, which debuted in 2017 and currently runs at 350 kilometers (217 miles) per hour.
In a recent CCTV video, the CR450 is shown undergoing comprehensive tests and evaluations. Engineers at the Locomotive and Vehicle Research Institute of the China Academy of Railway Sciences (CARS) have been particularly focused on “weight control,” ensuring that any reductions in mass do not compromise structural integrity.