China’s high-speed trains dominance
In addition to the CR400, China already operates other record-breaking trains. The Shanghai Maglev runs on magnetic levitation technology at a maximum speed of about 431 kilometers (268 miles) per hour during regular service.
Despite fierce global competition from France’s Train à Grande Vitesse (TGV), Japan’s Shinkansen, and Spain’s AVE Class 103, China is currently the only country operating commercial high-speed rail services at 350 kilometers per hour. The planned 400 kilometers per hour operating speed of the CR450 would reaffirm China’s leadership in this arena.
Although the CR450 prototypes have passed static and low-speed dynamic tests in traction, braking, and noise control, engineers plan to gradually increase speeds in future trials. The goal is to refine systems for real-world conditions, further cutting vibrations, reducing energy consumption, and lowering noise levels.