There are hundreds of well-known railway companies spread all over Europe. The companies make unique high-speed trains that are exported across the globe. In 1980, the first high-speed rail lines were built. High-speed train routes are now available in a number of European nations. Significant investments are being made in the modernization of train systems by European railroad companies. Rail travel is quite popular in Europe since the rail lines pass through stunning scenery.
The economic stability of the European Union is enhanced by high-speed rail. The EU has invested more than 23.7 billion euros in high-speed rail infrastructure since 2000. The high-speed rail network in Europe has grown by 9,000 kilometres, and the target of tripling its length by 2030 is being set.
| Rank | Train Name | Speed | Operator | Manufacturer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Frecciarossa 1000 (ETR 1000) | 400 km/h | Trenitalia | Hitachi Rail Italy |
| 2 | Talgo AVRIL HSR | 380 km/h | Renfe | Talgo |
| 3 | AGV Italo | 380 km/h | Nuovo Trasporto Viaggiatori (NTV) | Alstom |
| 4 | Siemens Velaro E | 370 km/h | Eurostar | Siemens |
| 5 | AVE Class 102/Talgo 350 | 350 km/h | Renfe | Talgo, Bombardier |
| 6 | ICE 3 | 330 km/h | Deutsche Bahn, Nederlandse Spoorwegen | Siemens |
| 7 | SNCF TGV | 320kmph | SNCF | Alstom and Bombardier |
| 8 | ETR 500 Frecciarossa | 300kmph | Trenitalia | TREno Veloce Italiano (TREVI) |
| 9 | Thalys PBKA | 300 km/h | Thalys | GEC-Alsthom |
| 10 | Talgo 250 | 250 km/h | Renfe | Talgo and Bombardier |
High-speed rail is becoming increasingly essential across Europe. In member nations, more than 26% of people use high-speed services.
EU co-funding for high-speed rail by Member states (2000-2017)
- Spain – 47.3%
- Germany – 11.4%
- Italy – 8.6%
- France – 8.4%
- Poland – 8.4%
- Greece – 4.4%
- Austria – 4.2%
- Portugal – 3.9%
- Other Member states – 3.4%
Facts to Know:
- Frecciarossa 1000 (ETR 1000) is the fastest train in Europe, it can gain a speed up to 400 km/h.
- The high-speed train is a popular and efficient method of transport in Europe.
- European train operators planned to build many high-speed train lines.
- France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, Sweden, Belgium, the Netherlands, Russia, and the United Kingdom receive EU (European Union) funding for railway upgrading and development.
- There are several high-speed train manufacturers in France, and railway lines for high-speed railway networks are being upgraded.
- European Union countries and other European countries connected each other by high-speed rail lines.
- High-speed trains decreases travel times. as a result, business activities improved.
- Many high-speed train lines are under construction in European countries.
- China has nearly 25,000 kilometres of high-speed rail tracks, while Europe has 9,000 kilometres in use.
- Spain has the longest high-speed rail lines in Europe, with 3,100 km and the second-longest in the world right behind China.
- This efficient setup makes it optimal to visit the smallest countries in Europe thanks to the fantastic connections that can be made when travelling by train in the European continent.
