There’s the 267mph Shanghai Maglev – Magnetic Levitation– which is the fastest, though not really rail, technically. In France when they opened a high-speed rail line connecting Paris to Lyon – in the early 80s – everyone moved to Paris. Data from the IPPR think-tank identified lots of “quick wins” that could rejuvenate areas of the North through rail investment. For example, opening Ashington Blyth and Tyne railway for ­passenger services would boost the economy by £70million a year. After all, when the Liverpool to Manchester railway was opened in 1830, statesman William Huskisson was killed by George Stephenson’s Rocket.

Source: Daily Mirror May 18, 2019 21:45 UTC