Top 10 Fastest Trains in the World 2012

Trains have undergone tremendous changes ever since they were first introduced in 1798. Steam engines have been replaced with electric ones and trains these days are much faster than their predecessors. Trains are meant for speedy transport and the below given trains have breached previous speed boundaries and scaled hew heights. With these high speed trains, the 310 mile stretch between Paris and Brussels can be traversed in less than an hour. How is that for speed! Read on below to know about the top 10 fastest trains in the world.

10. Belgium’s HSL-1

In the tenth spot is HSL-1 from Belgium. Launched in 1997, the HSL runs at a top speed of 186 mph. The total infrastructure of the railway line was built at a cost of €1.42 billion. The train runs on 25kV – 50 Hz power line. With its stupendous speed, the train can travel between Brussels and Paris is about ninety minutes.

9. The Italian ETR 500

ETR or Elettero Treno Rapido is an Italian rail with a top speed of 190 mph. The train has been operational since 1993. It runs on 3 kV DC and 25 kV 50 Hz Ac power. The name of the train translates to Rapid Electric Train. With its speed, the train covers the distance between Bologna and Milan is just an hour. Next generation of these trains are under development and they are likely to breach the 300 mph mark.

8. European Eurostar

In the eight spot, with a speed of 199 mph, the Eurostar runs between London and Paris. The train travels through Channel Tunnel and reaches its top speed during this stretch of the journey. The train, which runs on 25 kV 50 Hz power has been built to carry nine hundred passengers.

7. Spanish AVE Talgo-350

AVE Talgo-350, which travels between the Spanish cities of Madrid and Barcelona and Madrid and Valladolid, breaches the 200 mph mark by running at 205 mph. The train runs on 25kV 50 Hz power. With the speed at which this train travels, the 617.5 kilometer stretch between Madrid and Barcelona can be covered in less than three hours. In the normal trains, it takes about five to six hours to travel the distance.

6. Taiwanese THSR 700T

The Taiwanese thunder train, THSR 700T runs at a speed of 208 mph. THSR stands for Taiwanese High Speed Rail. The train transports nearly one thousand people. The train runs on 25 kV 60 Hz AC power. The good thing about this train, apart from its speed, is that it is very fuel efficient. Per capita consumption of energy for the train when fully loaded is 16 percent of energy consumed per person in cars and fifty percent of per capita energy consumption of buses. Emissions from the trains are also very low.

5. South Korean KTX 2

The South Korean train, KTX 2 travels at a speed of 219 mph. However, when compared to the other high speed trains, this train has a low capacity. It can carry only three hundred and sixty travelers. The speed is stupendous but for various causes of security, the speed is limited to 190 mph. The train became operational in 2009. It was built by Hyundai Rotem and KOrail operates it.

4. French TGV Réseau

TGV Réseau can reach a speed of 236.12 mph. However, like the South Koreans, the French consider safety first and limit the speed to 199 mph, which is still huge. The train runs on 25 kV AC and 1500 V DC power. This train is also small and can carry only three seventy seven people at a time.

3. Japanese Shinkansen

Shinkansen was one of the first high speed trains in the world. Operational since 1964, this train can reach a top speed of 275.2 mph. The train runs on 25 kV AC power. The Shinkansen is famous for its unique shape. The face of the train looks like a duck billed platypus. In fact, the train has been nicked named duck billed platypus. It is because of the shape of the nose that the train can reach such high speeds.

2. The German Transrapid TR-09

Transrapid TR-09 is a train which operates in Germany. It has a top speed of 279 mph. The train runs on a technology called mag-lev (magnetic levitation) which uses magnetic power on keep the train on the monorail. The train runs on 50 – 100 kW power.

 1. Chinese CRH380A

Chinese were the first ones in the world to build a train which travels at more than 300 mph. the train, numbered CRH380A travels at a top speed of 302.8 mph and runs on 25kV power. It travels between Shanghai and Hangzhou and between Shanghai and Nanjing. The train has a passenger capacity of four hundred and ninety four. The train is the fastest in the world. It is also the only way in which a person can travel the fastest on land.

Top 10 Men who Changed the World with their Inventions

Here is the list of top 10 inventors who changed the world with their invention. These inventors made up possible to live in a bright light with bulb, to cover a longer distance with the invention of automobile, works faster with computer, to communicate with others with the help of phone and many more. The list of inventors is upgrading with new inventions there are many inventors who successfully changed the world with their inventions but here i list out some of the top and earlier inventors who motivate other inventors to come up with new ideas.

10. Jerome Hal Lemelson

Born in - 1923

Died in – 1997

Popular Inventions – 605 patents

His invention are countless. He was one of the prolific inventor in the history. He invented industrial robots, video cassette recorder and many more. May phone was the invention of graham bell but the cordless telephones and fax machines were first invented by Jerome Hal Lemelson. The magnetic-tape driver that is used in ”Sony’s walkman tape recorder” was also one of the invention of Jerome Hal Lemelson. His patents also working in the feild of medical science to detect and to treat the cancer.

9. William Shockley

Born in - 13 Feb,1910

Died in - 12 August,1989

Popular Inventions – Transistors

An american based physicist who is a co-inventor of first amplifying semiconductor, the transistor. After that he invented first junction transistor a three layered sandwich style. In 1939 he designed the first nuclear reactor. In 1956 he received Nobel Prize for his great achievements in physics.

8. Albert Einstein

Born in - 14 March,1879 German

Died in - 18 April 1955

Popular Inventions – theory of relativity, mass-energy equivalence.

This name does not need any introduction. He is played an important role in the history of invention. His brain has been a subject of research and speculation for the scientists. He is a father of modern physics. He received an Nobel Prize for his formula mass-energy equivalence in 1921. He also discover the theory of relativity.

7. Thomas Edison

Born in - Feb 11,1847 Milan, Ohio

Died in – 1931

Popular Inventions – Tin Foil Phonograph, Light bulb, Film and Audio Devices.

He is the most popular inventor who changed the world with his great invention. His invention of light bulb brings revolution in the history of invention. Today, we simply switch on the light and the whole darkness turns to brightness. It is the most important amenities in our daily life. This becomes possible only by the gift of light bulb given by Thomas Edison to us. His first invention was tin foil phonograph but the most popular is Light Bulb.

6. Nikola Tesla

Born in - 10 July, 1856

Died in - 7 January, 1943

Popular Inventions – AC technology

May the electric bulb was the invention of Edison but the Nikola Tesla make it possible to cover long distances – a nationwide electric power grid. He invented the first Alternate current technology AC. Now electricity is available in every corner of the world just because AC technology. We can easily connect everything from bulb to computer with this electric grid.

5. Johannes Gutenberg

Born in – 1847

Died in – 1468

Popular Inventions – Printing Press

Gutenberg is an inventor of printing press. He invented press in the early 1436. his invention of printing press brought a revolution in the publishing of books. It also flourish the arts and science development through the transmission of texts. His printing press was movable metallic press machine which was earlier made up of wood. He used oil-based ink in the printing press and it remained in fashion until 20th century.

4. Alexander Graham Bell

Born in – 3 March,1847

Died in – 2 August,1922

Popular Inventions – Telephone

Alexander Graham Bell is a well known inventor. He invented a telephone in 1876 when he was just a 23 year old. He established his own telephone company in 1876. He make us possible to communicate with each other. His invention make us feel closer to each other. Today, may there are many mobile phones are available in the market but this concept was first lunched by the Graham Bell. Here is a very interesting fact about the Alexander Graham Bell who made phone but his mother and a wife was totally deaf. He got inspiration to invent phone from his mother and his wife. His father and a brother was also helped him in his inventions.

3. Charles Babbage – father of computer

Born in – 26 December,1791

Died in – 18 October,1871

Popular Inventions – Computer

We all know CPU is called as the brain of computer but the actual brain who invented the computer is Charles Babbage. It is one of the greatest invention in the world which give birth to other inventions. He invented the first mechanical computer and part of which is placed in Science Museum of London. Apart from the computer he is well know for mathematics.

2. Nicolas Joseph Cugnot

Born in – 26 Feb,1725

Died in – 2 October,1804

Popular Inventions – Automobile

Invention of automobile was not created by any single inventor also it didn’t involve a single tool. History began with the invention of wheel. Different parts of the automobiles are invented by different inventors. But the first three wheeled steam vehicle with an average of 2.3 mph was invented by Nicolas Joseph Cugnot in 1771 for the minister of french.

1. Thomas Newcomen

Born in - 24 Feb,1664

Died in - 5 August,1729

Popular Inventions – Steam Engine

Steam Engine brought a great revolution in the field of science and technologies. Thomas Newcomen invented first atmospheric engine. It was used to pump out the water from mines. Newcomen’s engine was revised by James watt’s engine. There were many reasons to invent this steam engine – flooding and to decrease the depth of mines to extract the mineral.

Top 10 Fastest Jet Air Crafts in the World

Jet aircrafts are the aircrafts that uses jet in it in order to fly. These kinds of aircrafts are usually faster than the normal aircrafts and they also fly at higher altitudes, generally around 10000-15000 meters. There are also some aircrafts that travel faster than sound.  The concept of jet aircrafts was developed by two engineers named Frank Whittle of UK and Hans von Ohain of Germany in the late 1930s. There was also a paper written by A. A. Griffith in 1926 on the same so he also shares some credit over the development of concept of jet aircrafts. The list of top 10 jet aircrafts of the world is as follows:

10.  Tupolev Tu- 144:

This was the world’s first ever supersonic jet aircraft. It used to have a speed of 2.35 Mach which is equivalent to 1550 mph. This aircraft was the fastest commercial airliner of the world that has ever been on earth. This aircraft however being the first was not that successful as compared to the other aircrafts. This aircraft was last seen in 1978 after which it was no longer used for services.

9. F 15 Eagle: 

This aircraft is a twin-engine aircraft used to fight tactically in each kind of weather. This aircraft is very successful in the present times. This aircraft has won around 100 aerial combats without losing any. The speed of this aircraft is 2.5 Mach. It took its first flight in 1972 and was introduced to everyone in 1976. This aircraft was manufactured by McDonnell Douglas and is used as an air superiority fighter.

8. MIG 31 ‘Foxhound’:

This is a supersonic aircraft which was developed by Mikoyan. This aircraft was developed to replace the MIG 25. This aircraft has a speed of 2.83 Mach at high altitudes and a speed of 1.2 Mach at lower altitudes. It has a rate of climbing of 208m/s. It has a ferry radius of 3300 km. Thus this jet aircraft has been able to achieve a very high speed even at low altitudes and is used by various countries.

7. Bell X2 Star buster:

There were only 2 aircrafts built of this type. These aircrafts can go up to a speed of 3.1 Mach. This was used as a research aircraft. It took its first flight on 18 November 1955 and was only used till 27 September 1956. It has a service ceiling of 126200 ft.

6. XB-70 Valkyrie:

This aircraft was in use for 5 yrs. This aircraft had a speed of 3.1 Mach. This took its first flight on 21 September 1964 and was used last on 4 Feb 1969. Its primary users were US air force and NASA. This aircraft was used as a strategic bomber as well as a supersonic research aircraft. Its cruise speed is 3 Mach. It has a range of 3.725 nmi on combat mission. It has a service ceiling of 77350 ft. This aircraft was considered the best of its time and is still one of the fastest aircraft of all times.

5. MIG 25 Foxbat:

This is a supersonic aircraft which was used as an interceptor and reconnaissance aircraft. This was among one the fastest military aircraft to enter service. It has a speed of 3.2 Mach. It took its first flight in 1964 and was introduced in 1970. There were a total number of 1186 aircrafts built till date. This aircraft with its great masterpiece and performance made its place in the top 10 fastest aircrafts.

4. SR-71 Blackbird:

This aircraft was used for Strategic reconnaissance aircraft. It took its first flight in 1964 and after a providing a service of 4 decades retired in 1998. It had a speed of 3.5 Mach. It was developed by the Lockheed Skunk Works. It has a range of 5400 kms and a service ceiling of 85000 ft. This aircraft also has a climb rate of 11810 ft/min.

3.X-15:

There are a total of 3 aircrafts of its kind. This aircraft was built in 1959 by North American Aviation and it retired in 1970. It was used as an experimental high speed research aircraft. This aircraft was used by Neil Armstrong and many other famouos names. This can attain a maximum speed of 6.72 Mach. It has a service ceiling of 354,330 ft.

2. X 43 A:

This aircraft is known as the fastest aircraft on the earth. However this aircraft is not as fast as the space shuttle but still among the aircrafts of the planet, it set a record of 9.8 Mach in 2004 as the fastest speed attained ever by an aircraft. This aircraft is no doubt the fastest aircraft on earth.

1. Space Shuttle:

Space Shuttle is the fastest aircraft working on jet fuel. It can achieve up to a speed of 20 Mach. There have been a total no of 135 of its launches out of which 133 were successful. It has 2 boosters. This spacecraft is an orbital spacecraft which was designed by the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration for human spaceflight missions. It took its first flight on April 12, 1981 and its last flight took place on July 21, 2011.

Thus we are now familiar with the world’s fastest aircrafts ever built. With advancement in technology there is a lot of scope for faster aircrafts in future.

top 10 Most Expensive Houses In The World 2012

if you are looking to buy  a new house then i do not think you are in the right place but maybe a peek into this list  might help you figure what its really like for billionaires when they go crib hunting.  We give you the accurate insight on the most expensive houses of the world in the market today. Embrace yourself for Top 10 Most Expensive Houses of the World.

10. The Manor

Built in 1991 by Aaron Spelling and modeled after a French chateau, it covers 58,000 square feet and has 123 rooms, bowling alley, a gym, pool, tennis court, movie theater, and an entire wing for Spelling’s wife’s wardrobe. Situated in Los Angeles, California it is the most expensive residential real estae listing in the States with a price tag of $150 million.

9. The Pinnacle

The biggest house in the exclusive “Yellowstone Club” ski and golf community in Montana, this structure has 10 bedrooms, fireplaces in every bathroom and a unique chair lift directly from back door to the nearby ski-resort. Owned by Tim Blixseth this place is currently priced at $155 million, it is rather a ski-resort than a house.

8. Franchuk Villa

The five-storey Victorian Villa complete with marble panelling and basement swimming pools, this structure boasts 21,000 square feet of living space with 20 foot high ceilings, a sauna, gym, movie theatre, and news room. Another standard feature it includes is a panic room that is present in almost every multi-million dollar mansion. Located in Kensigton, London, England it was bought by Ukrainian businesswoman Elena Franchuk and considered the world’s most expensive single residential dwelling at $161 million.

7. Hearst Mansion

Built by newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst, this massive creation was also featured in the movie “The Godfather”. Residing in Beverly Hills, Californai, it includes 6 residences,29 bedrooms, 3 pools, a nightclub and tow giant towers modeled after the church of Santa Maria Mayor of Spain. This is where the 35th President of United States John F. Kennedy spent his hhoneymoon and is currently priced at $165 million.

6. Ira Rennert (Fairfield Pond)

Currently the most valuable home in United States, built on over 110,000 square feet with 66,000 square-foot main house with 29 bedrooms and 39 bathrooms, this is the fourth most expensive house on our list. This palace is completed with a basketball court, bowling alley, two tennis courts, two squash courts and a $150,000 hot tub managed to have a property tax of $397,559 in 2007 and is currently valued at $198 million.

5. The Penthouse at One Hyde Park

Third on the list is the $212 million flat in London’s richest quarter. Neighbouring 82 other apartments in the building costing more than $9000 per square foot, the building features bulletproof windows, iris scanners and “panic room” for security purposes with British SAS watching over the building. Reports of the pending penthouse also include floor-to-ceiling refrigerators and a 24-hour room service

4. Henley Mansion

This extravagant mansion covers almost 3000 square metres of livin space complete with state-of-the-art security system, helipad,spa complex, home cinema and two golf courses. Now owned by a Russian billionaire for $218 million, this structure is 300-years old now with numerous stories of haunting and a dark past to back all up.

3. Villa Leopolda

Built by King Leopold II of Belgium in 1902, is a 27 stories summer home with 19 bedrooms and 50 full-time gardeners. This spectacular home in French Reviera of 29,00 square foot has one of the best beachfront views in the south of France. Formerly owned by the richest person in the world Bill Gates, this masterpiece stands at the staggering price of around $460 million in the market today.

2. Antilla

It  had set the record for the most expensive house in the world was set in 2009 when Indian miltibillionaire Mukesh Ambani moved to their new home “Antilla” in Mumbai, India. Built in accordance with Vaastu Shastra, this modern day palace is 570 feet tall, 27-storey with six floors of parking, a health level with jacuzzi, gym and “ice room”, a ballroom level, four story garden and floors with bedrooms and bathrooms along with a staff of around 600. Each floor is unique in its design looking like a different house with every next level. The current price for this house stands at $1 billion.

1. Gold house

Currently rumored to be the most expensive house ever built costing over $12.2 billion by king of bling Stuart Hughes, is the house located in a secret location in Switzerland. Known as the world’s first “Gold-house”, with 200.000 kilograms of solid gold and platinum fixtures and fittings and the specially designed flooring made from meteoric stone with shavings of original 65 million year old T-Rex Dinosaur bones embeded in each tile. Sitting on 2,442 square meters, it has living space of 752 square meters with 338 square meters of terrace, wine cellar of 25 square meters, 8 rooms and a 4 car garage. It might be a little over-exageratted according to the sources.