Scientists at Southwest Jiaotong University presented the futuristic machine on Wednesday, claiming that once its final lightweight carbon fiber iteration is put into full operation sometime in the next six years, should be able to attain speeds maxing out at 497 miles-per-hour. All aboard and take a look... Video of China unveils state-of-the-art maglev train prototype designed to travel at 620km/h Currently, China holds the distinction of owning the world's fastest maglev rail service, Shanghai Transrapid, which tops out at 267 miles-per-hour and began carrying passengers back in 2002. Chuo Shinkansen is a Japanese maglev train employing similar superconducting tech presently under construction that will zoom down the rails at 310 miles-per-hour. It's slated to start zipping between Tokyo and Nagoya in 2027, with plans for expansion to Osaka.