Alstom 's TGV

The world speed record for conventional high-speed rail is held by the V150, a specially configured and heavily-modified version of Alstom 's TGV which clocked 574.8 km/h (357.2 mph) on a test run. The world speed record for Maglev is held by the Japanese experimental MLX01: 581 km/h (361 mph).

Maglev (derived from magnetic lev itation) is a system of transportation that uses magnetic levitation to suspend, guide and propel vehicles with magnets rather than using mechanical methods, such as wheels, axles and bearings.