A new Chinese high-speed train broke the world record for the fastest top speed by an unmodified commercial train Tuesday on the new railway between Shanghai and Hangzhou.
Codenamed CRH380A, the train reached a top speed of about 416.6 kmh. China’s new train is expected to cut the travel time in half between the two cities, shaving the journey to a mere 40 minutes.
Zhang Shuguang, deputy chief engineer of the Ministry of Railways, told China Daily, "The new record of 416.6 km per hour shows that China has achieved a new milestone in high-speed train technologies."
However, according to initial estimates, tickets will cost twice as much as current fares. Moreover, in an effort to support regional development, non-direct service may be the norm — with the actual trip taking longer than the two-hour drive on road.
Nonetheless, FoxNews reports that the effort represents yet another infrastructure milestone for China.
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