🚅 High Speed Rail… where are we?

Hines · October 12, 2025, 11:46pm

I love the fact that in many parts of the world, you can now reach the CBD of many cities faster by train than by aircraft. (considering, drive to and from the airport, checking luggage, etc.)

But It’s fascinating to see which countries are actually investing in high-speed rail. China, for instance, now reportedly has more high-speed track than the rest of the world combined!

Having recently taken a few of those journeys myself, my iPad now feels compelled to keep me updated on how we’re doing back home.

So, I checked… It turns out Australia remains enthusiastically committed to the idea of high-speed rail — much like a teenager is committed to cleaning their room:

“Yeah, yeah, I’m just about to start.”

Maybe by 2030 we’ll have our first stretch of track laid… or at least another feasibility study — this time printed in full colour.

Has anyone got anything happening in their neck of the woods?

https://www.visualcapitalist.com/ranked-countries-with-the-most-high-speed-rail-in-2025/

Cliff_Jennings · October 13, 2025, 12:51am

Wow. That’s an eye-opener, Bill.

Over here, Brightline seems to be making progress in Florida, but I think they’re building in California and meybe elsewhere.

Dave_Meashey · October 13, 2025, 3:25pm

Bill;

Ironically, the N&W class J 4-8-4s were specified to run up to 110 mph (611 could still hit that in the 1980s, but it was kept hushed). The PRR T-1 4-4-4-4s would sometimes exceed 130 on a 100-mile stretch of tangent track in Ohio (also hushed up), which was why they kept burning up their Poppet valves. (A company rep for the Poppet valve manufacturer surreptitiously rode the trains and clocked them - making up for lost time on their schedule.) So I guess one could say the United States actually had some high speed trains in the steam era, but we are lagging now. Also, there were silk (cocoon) trains at the turn of the 20th century that had such a fast schedule as to take precedence over the crack passenger trains of that day.

Regards, David Meashey

PeterT · October 13, 2025, 7:00pm

Well, let’s first define our baseline - what is considered ‘high speed’? I note on your graphic that Finland has no dedicated rail lines but sections of the railway are capable of 200kph (124mph) running.

So High-speed rail is >200kph and on dedicated rail lines?? (According to Statista.)

The UK and most of Europe have been running regular passenger trains at >200kph on regular lines for the past 30 years. Amtrak’s Acela has been running at >240kph on regular tracks for 20 years.

Hines · October 14, 2025, 10:07pm

It’s fascinating how the definition of “high speed” has changed over time. During a visit to a canal museum in the UK, we came across a quote from a traveller who excitedly described his journey to London by canal boat—cutting off 4 days of his trip by coach, and reaching the “amazing speed of 4 mph!” on the canal.

Yet, within just a few decades, railways were being laid alongside those same canals, and eventually buying them outright, since the “best level route” had already been determined—and, just as importantly, the canals could supply the vast amounts of water needed for the new 100 km/h engines.

When I spotted that the infographic also noted Canada has no high-speed rail lines, it seemed both surprising and logical at once, given that about half the country’s population lives below the top of the continental United States. I’ve included a link to the tiny infographic at the bottom of the page if you’d like to see a clearer version comparing countries.

It’s also intriguing to see how the nations that once pioneered the railway have since shifted their focus toward highways and automobiles, while others that played little role in the railways’ origins are now leading the charge in speed and technology.

PeterT · October 15, 2025, 10:47pm

You might be interested to hear that the UK is re-opening railway lines that were closed in the 1960s [The Beeching Era.] They are trying to reduce auto emissions and congestion on the roads.

Unfortunately for some, they want to re-open tracks that are already in use by a preserved railway. That’s made for some interesting conversations.

Hines · November 2, 2025, 9:12am

Wow! If this video is to be believed operating speeds >400kph is now the benchmark for high speed.

Rooster · November 2, 2025, 11:57am

https://onedrive.live.com/?qt=allmyphotos&photosData=%2Fshare%2FDBFD37561B825D5F!sc3e2cb440758453e8851c65daabebcd7%3Fithint%3Dvideo%26e%3DqnEY9H%26migratedtospo%3Dtrue&cid=DBFD37561B825D5F&id=DBFD37561B825D5F!sc3e2cb440758453e8851c65daabebcd7&redeem=aHR0cHM6Ly8xZHJ2Lm1zL3YvYy9kYmZkMzc1NjFiODI1ZDVmL0VVVEw0c05ZQno1RmlGSEdYYXEtdk5jQm5TSDhYWjNRWlhQMzVFcktYc3BOaGc_ZT1xbkVZOUg&v=photos

John_Wilda · November 2, 2025, 6:41pm

I watched a video on this regarding the US yesterday. Ignore the title, it seems to be a well-made, informative video.

Hines · November 2, 2025, 11:30pm

Well John, that was almost as depressing as reviewing Australia’s progress towards high speed rail. I found an announcement from 10 months ago (13 Dec 2024). We have an office!

But hey! The only positive is that we can’t complain that these other countries have stolen our high speed rail technology.

Dave_Meashey · November 3, 2025, 2:06am

Bill;

Ironically, my rails don’t have any speed. They just stay put with the ties wherever I set them down! They are code 332, but I’m so glad that 130lb/yard rail does not move either. Imagine track with that mass coming at you at 300mph!

Regards, David Meashey

Hines · November 3, 2025, 4:05am

Careful, David — talk like that and the next Brandywine government study will brand it “Project Shadowfax,” promising 300 mph before the next Age of Men.

Dave_Meashey · November 3, 2025, 7:48pm

Perhaps someone needs another swig of Loughbrau Trollish Punch.

Just sayin’, David Meashey

Hines · November 3, 2025, 9:39pm

I’m nodding my head yes and just sayin’ Dave Meashey too.

EDIT: …because one does not simply say no to Dave Meashey when offered another swig.