China has launched what is being called the world’s fastest rail line, a high-speed train that can reach speeds of 245 miles per hour (394 kilometers) over long distances, and will cut the 601-mile commute from Wuhan, in central China, to Guangzhou, on the southeastern coast, from 10.5 hours to less than three hours.

The “WuGuang” line trains, a variation of Japan’s Shinkansen and Germany’s InterCity Express, have reached speeds that far surpass France’s TGV, which had been the world’s fastest train, with an average speed of 169 miles per hour.

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Since 1981, France has had a true high speed rail service, the TGV (Train à Grande Vitesse).  We here in the US are only about 30 years behind the French in the regard…and counting.  As US politicians continue to dither on high speed passenger rail, throwing loose change at development, the French corporations like Alstom have perfected this product for export to its former colonies in the developing world making big profits.  Since the US is on par with developing world rail infrastructure, we may be best served by swallowing our pride and purchasing this technology from French post haste.

The TGV’s maiden voyage was between Paris and Lyon on September 27^th, 1981.  Ridership is expected to hit the 2 billion mark in 2010.  It is a smashing commercial success, but goes further than that as a symbol on national pride and technological prowess.  It is a cornerstone of European integration as it connects France to the UK and her continental neighbors with speed and dependability.  Let us parse out the credit for this success to everyone, but one small group of people deserves a mention: the riche.

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