Train & locomotive rankings
Rankings computed from the technical data of our 10,492 models. Models built by several manufacturers appear once, with all their builders.
Fastest trains in the world
Ranking of the fastest trains by top speed: maglev trains, high-speed trains and record-breaking prototypes, in km/h and mph, with their manufacturers.
- 1TGV 384000 V150575 km/h
- 2L0 Series550 km/h
- 3SMT Transrapid500 km/h
Most powerful locomotives
Ranking of the most powerful electric, diesel and steam locomotives by power output, in kW and horsepower, with their manufacturers and specs.
Top 100Heaviest locomotives
Ranking of the heaviest locomotives by weight in working order, in tonnes and pounds: multi-section diesel and electric locomotives and giant steam engines.
Top 100Locomotives with the highest tractive effort
Ranking of the strongest locomotives by starting tractive effort, in kN and pounds-force, from heavy-haul iron ore locomotives to multi-section freight units.
- 13TE25K2M1,284 kN
- 2IORE H80AC1,200 kN
- 3NP11,200 kN
Fastest steam locomotives
Ranking of the fastest steam locomotives by top speed, in km/h and mph: streamlined Pacifics, express locomotives and record holders.
Top 100Most produced locomotives and trains
Ranking of the locomotive and train models built in the largest numbers, from Soviet diesel and steam locomotives to American road switchers and trams.
Top 100Oldest locomotives in the database
The oldest locomotive types in our database, ranked by year of first construction, from the 1830s pioneers of the railway age.
- 1Adler1835
- 2SJS Litra Odin1846
- 3SBB D 1/31847