Unlike conventional rail, HSR uses a special type of track and train to ensure faster speeds across the country. Conventional rail uses rods of track that are then connected together using a fish plate. HSR uses a continuously welded rail for less friction and a smoother ride. If not on their specialized tracks HSR trains can run but will do slower. While almost all high-speed rails use overhead cables to power the train. And intersections rail to rail that split the continuous length are not allowed for HSR.
HSR is commonly used to connect major cities together in many developed countries including China, Germany, Italy, France, South Korea and Japan. Popular trains including TGV, Shinkansen and ICE from Germany are HSR. In order to achieve high speeds, the trains are very aerodynamically efficient. The cost for continuously welded rail or CWR is high but with low maintenance costs. For Japan most of the costs implemented in construction is for digging tunnels through the mountainous range.
In order to avoid slowing down for a curve the train tilts to the side like a motorcycle to balance the inertia allowing for a smoother and fast ride, without having everything on the passengers table slide off.
HSR plans for the future include the MagLev short for Magnetic levitation. Magnets natural reaction of pushing away opposites allows the train to hover producing zero friction for a faster train. MLX maglev experimental train broke the speed record for fastest train by using this technique. Maglev is now implemented in China.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-speed_rail
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tilting_train
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TGV
