Fact Check: High-speed trains can travel at speeds of 200 miles per hour or more.

What We Know

High-speed trains are defined as trains that operate significantly faster than traditional rail services. According to the International Union of Railways, high-speed rail (HSR) includes trains that can achieve speeds of at least 200 km/h (approximately 124 mph) on upgraded tracks and 250 km/h (approximately 155 mph) on newly constructed tracks. The European Union also aligns with this definition, stating that high-speed rail must reach a minimum speed of 200 km/h on existing lines that have been specially upgraded.

Globally, high-speed trains have been developed in various countries, including Japan, France, and China. The Tōkaidō Shinkansen, which began operations in 1964, is often cited as the first high-speed rail system, capable of speeds exceeding 200 miles per hour. As of 2023, China's high-speed rail network is the largest in the world, with trains capable of reaching speeds up to 350 km/h (approximately 217 mph) on certain lines (source-1).

In the United States, the definition of high-speed rail varies. While the U.S. Department of Transportation defines high-speed rail as trains that can reach speeds of 110 mph (177 km/h), other definitions, including those used by various institutions, classify high-speed rail as trains exceeding 124 mph (200 km/h). The Amtrak Acela service, for example, operates at speeds of up to 150 mph (240 km/h) and is the fastest rail service in North America (source-2).

Analysis

The claim that high-speed trains can travel at speeds of 200 miles per hour or more is supported by multiple credible sources. The International Union of Railways and the European Union both provide definitions that confirm the threshold of 200 km/h (124 mph) as a standard for high-speed rail. Additionally, the existence of trains like the Shinkansen and various European high-speed services demonstrates that trains can indeed operate at speeds exceeding this threshold.

Furthermore, the current world speed record for a train on steel wheels is held by the French TGV, which reached 574.8 km/h (357.2 mph) in 2007. This record exemplifies the capabilities of high-speed rail technology. The news article highlights ongoing developments in the U.S. aimed at enhancing high-speed rail infrastructure, indicating a growing recognition of the importance and potential of high-speed rail travel.

While some sources, such as the U.S. Department of Transportation, provide a more conservative definition of high-speed rail, it is clear that many high-speed trains around the world are designed to exceed 200 mph. The EBSCO Research Starters notes that high-speed rail systems generally operate between 200 and 350 km/h (124 and 217 mph), further supporting the claim.

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that high-speed trains can travel at speeds of 200 miles per hour or more is accurate. Multiple definitions and examples from around the world confirm that high-speed rail systems are designed to operate at or above this speed, with several trains capable of exceeding even higher velocities.

Fact Check: High-speed trains can travel at speeds of 200 miles per hour or more.