While America's fastest train the Amtrak Acela Express struggles to hit 165-mph, the Chinese have just announced that they are testing a train that can do almost double that.

The really scary thing is that this isn't some futuristic Maglev train designer's dream concept, it's a real working train that runs on steel rails just like trains 100 years ago.

Based on the CRH380 that's already breaking all the records on the Beijing to Shanghai run, all they did is add some extra streamlining, use lighter materials and add a lot more power to get the extra speed.

No word on when it is scheduled to enter service, but if China's past track record is anything to go by it won't be a long wait.

China Daily, via Ubergizmo