Interesting facts:
• There are a number of different definitions for high-speed rail in use worldwide and there is no single standard, however there are certain parameters that are unique to high-speed rail. UIC (International Union of Railways) and EC Directive 96/58 define high-speed rail as systems of rolling stock and infrastructure which regularly operate at or above 250 km/h on new tracks, or 200 km/h on existing tracks.
• In the United States, high-speed rail is defined as having a speed above 110 mph (180 km/h) by the United States Federal Railroad Administration.
• In Japan, high speed Shinkansen lines use standard gauge track rather than narrow gauge track used on most other Japanese lines. These travel at speeds in excess of 260 km/h (160 mph) without level crossings.
• In China, there are two grades of high speed lines: Firstly, slower lines running at speeds of between 200 and 250 km/h (120 and 160 mph) which may comprise either freight or passenger trains. Secondly, passenger dedicated high speed rail lines operating at top speeds of up to 350 km/h (220 mph)