French set new rail speed record

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6521295.stm

A French high-speed train (TGV) has smashed the world record for a
train on rails by a big margin, reaching 574.8km/h (356mph).

The previous TGV record was 515km/h (320mph), set in 1990.

The record attempt by a modified TGV took place on a track between
Paris and the eastern city of Strasbourg.

The absolute train speed record was set by a Japanese magnetic
levitation train - Maglev - in 2003. It reached 581km/h (361mph).

The TGV set the new record at 1314 (1114GMT) on Tuesday. It was a
modified version called V150, with larger wheels than usual and two
engines driving three double-decker cars.


V150 TRAIN
Two engines - one at each end
Three double-decker cars
Three motorised bogies
Power output: more than 25,000 horsepower
Cost: 30m euros (£22m; $40m)

The event was broadcast live on French TV.

SNCF and the train's makers Alstom say the record attempt represents a
test on the infrastructure in extreme conditions, which is impossible
to carry out in the laboratory.

Alstom also aims to boost TGV sales abroad, where it is competing with
the Japanese Shinkansen and the German Inter-City Express high-speed
trains.

China, South Korea and Taiwan are the most important customers for
high-speed trains.

That guy thinks we don't read the papers

"ocelot" a écrit dans le message de news:
...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6521295.stm

A French high-speed train (TGV) has smashed the world record for a
train on rails by a big margin, reaching 574.8km/h (356mph).

The previous TGV record was 515km/h (320mph), set in 1990.

The record attempt by a modified TGV took place on a track between
Paris and the eastern city of Strasbourg.

The absolute train speed record was set by a Japanese magnetic
levitation train - Maglev - in 2003. It reached 581km/h (361mph).

The TGV set the new record at 1314 (1114GMT) on Tuesday. It was a
modified version called V150, with larger wheels than usual and two
engines driving three double-decker cars.


V150 TRAIN
Two engines - one at each end
Three double-decker cars
Three motorised bogies
Power output: more than 25,000 horsepower
Cost: 30m euros (£22m; $40m)

The event was broadcast live on French TV.

SNCF and the train's makers Alstom say the record attempt represents a
test on the infrastructure in extreme conditions, which is impossible
to carry out in the laboratory.

Alstom also aims to boost TGV sales abroad, where it is competing with
the Japanese Shinkansen and the German Inter-City Express high-speed
trains.

China, South Korea and Taiwan are the most important customers for
high-speed trains.