Rediffmail Money rediffGURUS BusinessEmail

World's fastest thing on wheels

April 03, 2007 20:13 IST

574.8 kmph!

That's how fast France's high-speed V150 went on Tuesday to shatter the existing world speed record for conventional rail trains.

The speed train with three double-decker cars bettered the previous record of 515.3 kilometres per hour, set in 1990 by the French fast train.

The record was made on one of the trial runs on a new track east of Paris.

People lined bridges clapping and cheering as the train zipped underneath them.

The V150, however, fell short of the ultimate record set by Japan's magnetic train, which sped to 581 kilometres per hour in 2003.

Photograph: Jean-Christophe Verhaegen/AFP/Getty Images

WEB STORIES

9 Things To Know About Sugar Substitute Stevia

8 Places From The World Of Sherlock Holmes & Doyle

The Art Of Tea: 7 Special Tea Recipes

VIDEOS

NEWS BUSINESS MOVIES CRICKET SPORTS GET AHEAD REDIFF-TV REDIFF ASTRO MOBILE RECHARGE BILL PAYMENTS