In Germany in the 80s the Transrapid, a maglev train was developed. Sadly, the technology was dropped in favor of the ICE, predominantly because that one could use the extensive existing rail network. The only Transrapid Line actually operating is the Shanghai airport line.

In hindsight the needed new network could have been an advantage, as very little of the current rails is capable of anywhere near the 300km/h operation the ice can do. Would also have avoided all those scheduling problems where slower regional trains are regularly delayed, as they have to let other (also delayed) high speed trains pass.