Rail speeds in the United States have stagnated as other forms of transportation remain more popular. Passenger trains travel around 65 to 75 miles (100 to 120 kilometers) per hour. One high speed rail line, Amtrak's Acela Express serving the Northeast Corridor, reaches speeds of 120 miles (190 kilometers) per hour.
High-speed trains dominate intercity rail on the Continent, where speeds of 120 miles (190 kilometers) per hour or more are typical. France, Spain, Italy and Germany all operate "bullet trains" traveling at speeds up to 186 miles (300) kilometers per hour.
Japan's Shinkansen railway lines are the most-used in the world, and travel at the same speeds--186 miles (300) kilometers per hour--as the fastest European lines.
Maglev-magnetic levitation-trains run on rails containing powerful magnets that alternatively attract and repel magnets built into a train's cars. At high speeds, a train's wheels retract and the train rides, frictionless, just above the rails. Passenger maglev trains typically travel around 250 miles (400 kilometers) per hour.
Actual travel time depends greatly on the number of station stops on a route, as trains can take a great deal of time to reach top speed as well as brake.
