8 Of The World's Most Popular High-Speed Trains (PHOTOS)

The Obama Administration recently allocated money for high-speed train projects across the nation. Here at HuffPost Green, we think high speed rail is totally awesome, and we hope to see many great rail projects across the country. The definition of high-speed rail varies across the world, with the US Federal Railroad Administration defining it as a train that exceeds speeds of 110 mph, while other countries set the standard much higher. Many places in the world are way ahead of us on rail projects, but they certainly give us something to aspire to. Take a look at some of the world's most popular high-speed trains, and let us know which you like best!

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Japan's Shinkansen

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The world's first high-speed rail premiered when Japan's Shinkansen opened to the public in 1964. The Shinkansen has grown to become the world's busiest high-speed rail line, carrying 151 million passengers between 2007 and 2008.

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The world's first high-speed rail premiered when Japan's Shinkansen opened to the public in 1964. The Shinkansen has grown to become the world's busiest high-speed rail line, carrying 151 million passengers between 2007 and 2008.

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I'd Rather Walk I Want To Ride This Train!

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Comments

[TOPCAT711]

11:15 AM on 03/24/2010

Japan has had high-speed rail for 46 years !
WAKE UP AMERICA !!!

[Paul Houston]

05:01 PM on 03/15/2010

Ohhh, just looked at Die Bahn website they have offers on fares, London to Cologne 69 Euros with a journey time of 4 hours 41 minutes

[choot]

02:53 PM on 03/15/2010

Rethug response:
Gubmint wants to take over the railways on its way to sooooooocialism.
We doesn't wants to become Europe with their fancy & elitist high-speed railways.
Obama is _anti-American for wanting high-speed rail.
We gots ourselves some great cars here from Ford and GM.
Hic...

[EndangeredJackalope]

12:04 AM on 03/15/2010

I've taken the Shanghai MagLev.... it is impressive.

[StoryTime]

10:28 PM on 03/13/2010

Honestly, the Thalys (TGV from France to Germany via Belgium and the Netherlands) looks soooo good.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jdTEX6m-rw

As a French native I can tell you that the opportunities you have with high speed rail are tremendous.
Some of you have already a good idea of what's possible but it even goes beyond what you expect.
How many people live in Brussels and work in Paris and vice and versa (Paris-Brussels=1h40 mns if I'm correct).
From Paris you can hop on the fast train early in the morning and go to London to spend the day and come back in the evening.
So many options AND the big plus is you arrive in the heart of the city.
Anyway, of course high speed rail would be perfect for the US, that's what it's all about, connecting long distances!!! that's the whole point, slow trains can be fun to travel shorter distances anyway.
Living in Northern California I can see how amazing it would be for people to hop in the bullet train and go to L.A.. Some could be living halfway and still go to work or for some work just two hours away.
It opens so many options, I just don't get why some people see it as a bad idea, actually for me the problem is nuclear...oh well...

[totalliberal]

09:33 PM on 03/13/2010

As long as this country is controlled by red-state rubes, we will fall behind everyone. But then if Texas has its way we won't know it.

[KIVPossum]

02:43 PM on 03/13/2010

Ridden on ICE and TVG - very nice. They're so clean, fast, and efficient it takes the fun out of travel.

[The Meek]

02:25 PM on 03/13/2010

I want slow speed rail with nice comfortable seats and a club car with a smoking section, but I'm not in any hurry to get it.

[Agentlady007]

02:06 AM on 03/13/2010

God Speed for the original concept in " logans Run" ....to the man who in real time made this a reality that the future is now..present time. Cool. Thank you whoever you are.

[John Mainstream]

07:19 PM on 03/12/2010

Aircraft are better suited to longer distances within the United States because of their much faster speeds than super trains.

[totalliberal]

09:40 PM on 03/13/2010

As long as we are travelling long distances. However more than half the air travel in here is regional.

[namora]

03:21 PM on 03/22/2010

The aluminum tubes are good for those that are in a hurry but they are incredibly wasteful of fuel and have become increasingly unpleasant. My last trip on these modern marvel consisted of a six hour trip crammed against the bulkhead and by the wide person next to me and having my knees jammed against the seat in front of me.I do not look forward to a repeat of the experience. Air travel is abysmal..

[John Mainstream]

07:17 PM on 03/12/2010

High speed buses are much more adaptable, and much lower cost.

[totalliberal]

09:25 PM on 03/13/2010

What planet are you visiting from.

[John Mainstream]

07:16 PM on 03/12/2010

The 110 mhp speed limit for trains along the east coast has to do with curves in the track around high population areas.

[DRaymond]

03:39 PM on 03/12/2010

Right now the US's best chance of earning a spot on this list is the California high speed rail project.

Agreed on route? Yes.

Local Funding Participation? Yes.

Genuine High Speed? 220mph.

Big Terminal Cities? Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Decent size intermediate stops? Bakersfield, Fresno, Modesto

Instead of funding half-hearted and short distance systems we need to complete one system that will really show what great successfull high speed rail looks like.

[gorideabike]

01:08 PM on 03/12/2010

Yes we can! USA Baldwin locomotives are still the best and use clean coal too. Take a look: http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=CumbresToltec#p/u/3/DIXu702O3bw

[maymay2]

03:22 PM on 03/13/2010

There is no such thing as clean coal!

[sherifffruitfly]

12:33 PM on 03/12/2010

Naturally, none of them are in America. Sigh.