Regarding the last, the world record of the TGV Atlantique was already above (515.3 km/h = 320.2 mph). On 13 February, the TGV Est test train already reached an inofficial world record of 553 km/h (343.6 mph). Here you see it at a moment it goes 544 km/h, throwing sparks:

a little later:

_{*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.}