There are many ways to travel between London and Birmingham, but none are quite as ambitious as a proposed high-speed train capable of making the journey in just 30 minutes. Covering a distance of around 125 miles (200km), a train running at 400km/h (249mph) would theoretically complete the journey in 30 minutes, while a 450km/h (280mph) service could reduce that even further.

       This idea comes as China pushes forward with the development of its CR450 high-speed train, the fastest of its kind in the world. Unveiled in late 2024, the train is currently in an intensive testing phase, with researchers aiming for commercial rollout within the next two years. With a top test speed of 450km/h (280mph) and an operational speed of 400km/h (249mph), the CR450 beats all other high-speed trains worldwide.

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       For comparison, the UK's fastest domestic service, the Eurostar e320, operates at a maximum speed of 320km/h (199mph), while Japan’s famous Shinkansen reaches speeds of up to 360km/h (224mph).

       Engineers have made big advancements to ensure efficiency and passenger comfort.

       The train’s aerodynamic drag has been reduced by 22 percent, while a 10 percent reduction in weight helps with speed and energy consumption.

       The CR450 also uses a permanent magnet motor, increasing efficiency by around three percent compared to older high-speed train models.

       Inside, business-class seats rotate 300 degrees to allow for flexible seating arrangements, and noise levels have been reduced by two decibels for a quieter journey.

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       The aim is to provide a smoother, more comfortable ride even at extreme speeds.

       China has been a leader in high-speed rail development for years, with the country’s first bullet train debuting in 2008.

       Since then, it has rapidly expanded its network, now boasting more than 25,000 miles of high-speed rail, the longest in the world.

       The CR450 is expected to enter service on China’s busiest route, the Beijing-Shanghai corridor, reducing the 1,318km (819-mile) journey to just over three hours.

       The current fastest trains on this route take around four and a half hours.

       While the UK’s HS2 project aimed to improve train travel between London and Birmingham, major parts of the project have been scrapped, leaving only the section between the capital and the West Midlands set for completion.

       HS2’s planned trains were expected to run at 360km/h (224mph), meaning the CR450 would still be significantly faster.

       China’s latest high-speed rail developments could set new global benchmarks, showing what is possible with cutting-edge train technology.

       If a train like the CR450 were ever introduced in the UK, it could completely transform domestic travel by cutting journey times between major cities.

       For now, however, such a service remains hypothetical.