Land speed record for rail vehicles

Determination of the fastest rail vehicle in the world varies depending on the definition of "rail".

The world record for manned passenger trains is held by the L0 Series, having achieved 603 km/h (375 mph) on a 42.8 km magnetic-levitation track in April 2015.

The world record for conventional wheeled manned passenger trains is held by France specially tuned TGV (Train à Grande Vitesse). Reduced to three cars with higher voltage, larger wheels and higher-tension pantograph wires, it broke the world record in April 2007, reaching 574.8 km/h (357.2 mph) on a 140 km section of track.

The fastest manned rail vehicle was a manned rocket sled, which carried USAF Colonel John Stapp at 1,017 km/h (632 mph).

Unmanned rocket sleds that ride on rails have reached over 10,400 km/h (6,460 mph), equivalent to Mach 8.5.

Legend :

The following is a complete list of absolute world speed records for all trains designed to carry passengers, regardless of gauge, propulsion or type of rail,

(152mph)

The following is a list of verified absolute world speed records for conventional wheeled rail vehicles.

The following is a list of speed records for rail vehicles with electric traction motors and powered by electricity transferred to the train.

The following is a list of speed records for rail vehicles with on-board fuel to generate electricity for traction motors such as diesel-electric locomotive, diesel electric multiple unit and gas turbine-electric locomotive trains.

The following is a list of speed records for rail vehicles with on-board fuel to mechanical energy to drive vehicle's wheels such as diesel-hydraulic trains and gas turbine locomotive trains that use mechanical transmission to power the drive wheels.

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Wikipedia