A Ticket to Ride

List of most friendly high speed rail countries

1. France 186 mph

The TVG Bullet Train - France

France (pop 52 million) is the most rail friendly country in the world. The French spend a hefty sum on their railway system.  They also hold the world record for speed at 320 mph. The French TGV (for which I have a ticket to ride but wonder how much you can really see) is more than just a train to the French, it is also a symbol of pride. Trains in France run daily at speeds up to 186 mph. Compared to our outdated Amtrak, I should be in for a treat.

2. Japan 186 mph

Japan is no slouch.  Many would say that Japan is the inventor of the high speed rail concept, which started way back in 1964 with speeds up to 132 mph (pretty damn fast for its time). Due to Japan's high population density (110 million) their trains may have been born out of necessity. Although Japan is a country more wealthy than France, they have to take a back seat to France on speed (Japan highest speed 277 mph). 

3, Spain 186 mph

Spain (pop 30 million) rounds out the top 3.  Although not the wealthiest country nor the most densely populated, Spanish rail speeds have said to have topped 300 mph.  Spain holds the #3 position over Germany )pop 63 million) because it beats German in best speed, average speed and quality of high speed lines.
4. Germany 174 mph

5. Italy 186 mph

6. Belgium 186 mph

7. Finland 138 mph

8. Sweden 125 mph

9. The United Kingdom 125 mph

10. Russia 140 mph

China not included in this list due to it's late entry into the market although by 2020 the Chinese government plans to have over 8,000 miles of fast rail. Trains operate at 180 mph between Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong and most of the other major cities at 120 mph.

toot-toot, chug-chug  I think I can-I think I can

US Amtrak 60-70 mph. What a sad state of affairs in our beloved USA. The US has only on high speed rail line in operation. On average the speeds do not hold up to the speeds of other high speed rail trains.

Only US high speed rail, The Acela with speeds up to 150 mph. There are 20 trains that serve the Northeast Corridor between DC & Boston. This is one of the only profitable arms of Amtrak, bringing in almost 1/2 of Amtrak's revenues.

Proposed California high speed rail 186-225 mph. California has made some progress (uh huh) in the 2008 elections where voters approved a $10 billion bond to begin construction of its initial line running between Los Angeles and San Francisco. The proposed speeds are up to 225 mph. The California system will use steel wheel on steel rail technology.

Watch the French TGV breaks its own speed record 357 mph

I'm Just Sayin