French train breaks world speed record

A high-speed French train with a souped-up engine and wheels yesterday broke the world speed record for conventional rail trains, reaching 574.8 kph.

The black and chrome train with three double-decker cars, named the V150, bettered the previous record of 515.3 kph, set in 1990 by the French fast train. However, it fell short of the ultimate record set by a Japanese non-conventional magnetically levitated train, which sped to 581 kph in 2003.

The endeavor, some 200 kilometers east of the capital on a new track linking Paris with Strasbourg, showcased technology France is trying to sell to countries with developing rail networks, including China.