An astronomically fast train being developed could hypothetically see passengers journey from London to Edinburgh in just an hour. The L0 Series, a train built and designed in Japan, is an electric train that can go up to 375mph. That makes it the fastest in the world. Currently in testing, the remarkable machine uses Maglev technology to propel itself along.

Maglev works by magnetically levitating the train above the rails and then using another electric motor for forward movement. The trains effectively float through the air using the power of magnets and electricity, allowing them to achieve tremendous speeds.

The L0 series is no different withTop Gear reporting that once in commercial service it will hope to cruise at around 311mph, allowing it to go from Tokyo to Osaka in around an hour.

If the L0 Series was installed, this would mean a travel time from London to Cornwall's Penzance in just under an hour. It will take the same time to reach Edinburgh from the capital. The current journey time between the iconic UK destinations is currently just under five hours.

And it's not the only incredible feat achieved by the L0 Series. Back in April 2015, it managed to travel a jaw-dropping 2,525 miles in a single day. That's the equivalent of travelling from London to one of Europe's most easterly cities - Sulina in Romania - and back again.

Unsurprisingly, such an impressive fet of engineering isn't coming cheap. The project has been delayed by eight years due to spiralling costs, totalling a jaw-dropping £52billion.

The Chuo Shinkansen line that will carry the train will run between Tokyo and Nagoya.

"The maglev has been plagued by difficulties excavating tunnels needed to accommodate the train's high speeds", reported The Asahi Shimbun.

The project consists of around 85% tunnels, according to a board member of the company behind the project.

JR Central's board approved the revised budget on October 29, though the company stressed that the 2035 target remains provisional.

Back in the UK, the government have announced the return of Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) which will see trains deliver faster journeys between cities in the north.

This means people will be able to travel between the likes of Leeds, York, Bradford, Sheffield, Liverpool, Manchester, and back faster than before.

An initial £1.1bn has been put aside for preparation and design, with the first construction work not expected to start until 2030 with the scheme seeing £45bn worth of upgrades, including a new train station at Bradford alongside upgrades to multiple stations.