This paper considers various aspects of the future of national and international high-speed rail networks in Europe. High-speed rail has been especially successful in France, where a new generation of higher-speed trains will be introduced fairly soon. Germany also has an extensive high-speed network, and high-speed rail services are beginning to appear in Italy. The opening of the Channel Tunnel will be followed by high-speed trains between cities in the UK and in France and Belgium. Other international services are planned between cities in France, Belgium, The Netherlands and Germany. The profitability and commercial demand for high-speed railways are discussed briefly. The principal environmental briefly. The principal environmental impacts of high-speed trains are assessed: (1) visual intrusion; (2) noise; (3) energy consumption; and (4) pollution. Various considerations affect the upper viable speed limit of high-speed trains, including: (1) aerodynamics; (2) track constraints; (3) signalling and braking systems; (4) possible throughput for a given speed; and (5) cost. At present, there is a conflict between the high-speed train standards of different countries, and thus a need for international standards; safety is a specially difficult issue here.
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