World’s fastest bullet train breaks speed record, hits 281 mph in trials, can go from 0 to 350 km/h in just 4 minutes, developed by….

China has once again amazed the world with its bullet train technology. The CR450, the world’s fastest bullet train, reached a speed of 453 kilometers per hour during testing on the high-speed rail line from Shanghai to Chengdu. This achievement has attracted global attention. According to a report in Global Times, the CR450 is designed for test speeds up to 450 km/h, but in regular commercial service, it will operate at 400 km/h. The train is currently going through qualification trials, which are mandatory before it can carry passengers.

What’s truly astonishing is its acceleration. The CR450 can go from 0 to 350 km/h in just 4 minutes and 40 seconds. During testing, two CR450 trains passed each other, setting a record with a combined speed of 896 km/h. Sitting inside one of these trains, the view outside the window would appear almost like a blur due to the extreme speed.

How the CR450 reaches its incredible speed

The CR450 achieves its record-breaking speed thanks to several key design improvements. Its nose cone has been lengthened from 41 feet (12.5 meters), as seen on current high-speed trains, to 49 feet (15 meters), which reduces air drag.

The train features fully enclosed bogies and lower skirt panels beneath the carriages, borrowing design ideas from high-performance sports cars. These changes help cut overall resistance by 22 per cent.

Its height has been lowered by 8 inches (20 cm), and weight reduced by 55 tons, further improving efficiency and acceleration.

The engineers made drag reduction a top priority, carefully refining every detail. Over five years of research and testing, they improved performance in increments as small as 0.1%.

The CR450 can accelerate from 0 to 350 km/h in just 4 minutes and 40 seconds—100 seconds faster than the older Fuxing trains, which take 6 minutes and 20 seconds to reach the same speed.

How fast were the older trains?

The older CR400 Fuxing trains run at 350 km/h, which is already impressive by global standards. But the CR450 has surpassed them all. Its design is even more advanced: the nose is longer and sleeker, the roof has been lowered by 20 centimeters, and the train’s weight has been reduced by 50 tons. These changes reduce air resistance by 22per cent, making the train faster and more fuel-efficient.

While India’s Vande Bharat trains are fast, reaching 450 km/h remains far off. The CR450 technology has set a new global benchmark, leaving many to wonder: can any country compete with China in this race?

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