A French TGV has smashed the world speed record for rail by clocking up
357.2mph on the new Paris to Strasbourg line. (Watch the
record-breaking run on RailnewsTV below.)
The
black and chrome V150 train, driven by Eric Pieczac, easily broke the
previous record of 320 mph set by a TGV in 1990. Eric was in the cab of
a modified train made up of two power cars, with three double decker
coaches, which reached an equivalent speed to a small propeller plane,
such as a World War II Spitfire.
"We saw the countryside go by a little faster than we did during the
tests," said Eric after the 50-mile journey from Preny to Bezannes in
eastern France.
"Everything went very well. There are about 10,000 engineers who would
want to be in my place. It makes me very happy, a mixed feeling of
pride and honour to be able to reach this speed."
Alstom made a series of modifications to track and train before the
speed attempt. The combined output of the two power cars was doubled to
25,000 horsepower.
The train's wheel diameter was increased so each turn would cover a
longer distance. Roof and underside equipment was streamlined.
Engineers made changes to the infrastructure too. Overhead line voltage
was increased from 25,000 to 31,000 volts, points were immobilised, and
extra track measures were carried out.
The successful record attempt on 3 April was the culmination of four
months of tests involving 40 engineers and technicians from
manufacturers Alstom, track owner RFF and national train operator SNCF.
It followed 40 trial runs of speeds over 280 mph, and 200 hours of
tests.
The attempt aimed to highlight France as a world leader in high speed
rail with a view to capturing orders from China and other Far East
countries. SNCF director-general Guillaume Pepy said it demonstrated
that TGV technology invented 30 years ago could still provide rail's
future needs.
The record is technically for conventional high speed rail only, as
Japan's magnetically levitation Maglev system recorded the fastest-ever
train speed of 361mph in 2003.