Determination of the fastest railed vehicle in the world varies depending on the criteria, because of the variety of designs. The French TGV is the fastest conventional train in the world, using powered metal wheels riding on metal rails. In 1990 it reached speeds of 515.3 km/h under test conditions with a shortened train (two power cars and three passenger cars). The test track and train were specially prepared and had to be taken out of service afterwards. However, the Japanese JR-Maglev has achieved 581 km/h, and unmanned rocket sleds that ride on rails have reached over 10,400 km/h, equivalent to Mach 8.5.
Unmanned. It was the final stage of a four-stage sled train, which included the sled, a Super Roadrunner rocket motor, and a 192-pound payload on top. The sled train delivered payload into a target at a velocity of 9465 feet per second, or 6453 mph (2885 m/s), or Mach 8.5.
