TGV or high-speed train (Train à Grande Vitesse French, not to be confused with AGV) is an electric train that can travel at high speed (270 or 320 km / h), developed by the Society of French National Railways (SNCF) and built by Alstom company. Train the classic lines (except at speeds up to 200 km / h), and especially on special high-speed lines or LGV (Ligne à Grande Vitesse French) that allow high-speed limit of 250 km / h (a train is a high speed train can reach 200 km / h on conventional lines or exceed 250 km / h on high speed lines). Design and operation sites LGV was originally made by a subsidiary of SNCF. "TGV" is a registered trademark of SNCF.
After launching in 1981 of the first TGV line between Paris and Lyon, the TGV network has been progressively developed to provide a regular service between major cities in France, almost completely eliminating the Corail trains on the main radial lines of the system.
The success of the first line led to a rapid expansion of the network by building new high speed lines to the south, west and north. Eager to share the success of the French network, neighboring countries such as Belgium, Italy and Switzerland have connected with the French railway system. TGV and Germany and the Netherlands serves branded Thalys and Eurostar UK brand. Many new lines are in draft form in France.
TGV can run at speeds up to 320 trade km / h, which is possible by using special high-speed lines, which have very large turning radius, and some special equipment that allows trains to run at high speed. These devices consist of powerful electric motors, one located very low center of gravity, air suspension, articulated carriages and signs located on board trains, because mechanics can not see the one located to the side.
The trains are built by Alstom, although Bombardier has also contributed, as did many other subcontractors. With the exception of three used by La Poste postal trains between Paris and Lyon, the TGV is only one passenger service. TGV trains derived from circulating in South Korea (KTX), Spain (AVE) and the United States (One Express).
TGV has led a revolution in commercial SNCF, marked especially by high speed access, until then reserved for a select clientele, the great mass of travel, speed and supplements abandoning compulsory reservation.
TGV logo and the image rotated by 180 °.
You can see the image of a snail
TGV has largely replaced air between cities served, due to lower journey times (especially on paths less than 3 hours), registration formalities, boarding ax and much simpler. These factors were added to the location of stations in city centers and increased perception of safety of trains to planes.
The system has reached the first billion passengers since its launch in September 1981, on 28 November 2003. The second billion is expected in 2010.
TGV logo was created in 2000 by The Brand Company, a subsidiary of advertising agency BDDP. Logo wants to evoke, through fluid shapes, speed and power train. Turned 180 degrees, like a snail. TGV slogan is "TGV, Le Temps d'aller price of cattle" (TGV, allow yourself to go faster).
[Edit] History
[Edit] Origins of the TGV
The idea to create a high-speed train to link the main cities of France appeared in the 60s, after Japan's Shinkansen began construction of in 1959. At that time, SNCF find a way to increase utilization of trains, which decreases continuously. Increase speed seemed a good solution to compete with car and plane. Previous experiments had SNCF aerotren project which used air cushion technology, radically different from common rail, and light turbotrenuri.
In its first version, TGV was to be powered by turbines similar to those of the helicopter. The choice was dictated by the small size of turbines, their high strength and ability to provide that power for a long time. The first prototype, TGV 001, was the only train of its kind ever built.
TGV 001 tests have brought many useful information, especially related to brake at high speeds, requiring dissipation of large amounts of kinetic energy, aerodynamics and signaling.
budapest airport shuttle. Rama was articulated two adjacent cars sharing a common bogie. The prototype reached speeds of 318 km / h, which is still the world speed record for trains turbine. TGV first design, both inside and outside, was conducted by Cooper and Jacques Englishman marked generations of trains.
[Edit] Birth of today's TGV
Following the oil crisis of 1973, it was decided to return to electric traction by pantograph. The reasons were more political than technical or economic: the time, energy cost was only 5% of the cost of traction, ie about 20 FF / km for each train. [1], and the cost of an electric train was 10% higher than that of a diesel train for a lower capacity and without entering into account the cost of fixed installations.
Switching to electric traction imposed new experiments in various fields. Atransformat SNCF in 1974 a railcar to build prototype Z 7100 called Zebulon, which allowed testing several innovations: to lessen the burden outboards bogies, pantographs with two floors, new suspension and braking systems. Outboards mass decreased by 2.95 ton locomotives. Zebulon approximately 1 million kilometers traveled during the test.
In 1976, French governments decided to launch the project, approving construction of the first line between Paris and Lyon (LGV Sud-Est). The project was funded entirely by the SNCF, mainly from bank loans. This led to the company debt, which led the government to reform the system in 1997, creating a company specialized infrastructure: Réseau ferré de France (RFF). RFF can not finance only projects whose profitability is assured. This has led to various regions of co-financing by LGV Est line, operational since 2007.
Following tests preserie two trains, the first order was delivered on 25 April 1980. TGV service between Paris and Lyon were inaugurated on 27 September 1981. Category was originally targeted business travelers between the two cities. Routing, much smaller than the classic train led to a significant gain market share at the expense of car and plane. Innovations in these lines were not only technical but also commercial, by reducing the complexity of tariffs, mandatory appointments and, later, the introduction of service at fixed hours.
[Edit] Speed
A TGV Duplex train leaving Lyon La Part Dieu.
Is not the first TGV high speed train went into commercial service in the world. Japanese Shinkansen Tokyo to Osaka tied on 1 October 1964, almost 17 years before the first TGV.
On 26 February 1981, received a first TGV speed record on line 380 LGV Southeast km / h. This record, which was obtained in the presence of many journalists, was intended to reassure the public, demonstrating that the speed of 260 km / h can be achieved safely. On December 12, 1988, SNCF has improved (unofficial) train TGV PSE this record by running 88 to 408.4 km / h Southeast line.
Proof in compliance with the speed record is 574.8 km / h, set on 3 April 2007 Est high speed line with a test frame of only 3 cars (instead of 10) mounted on four bogies of the two intermediate bogies were motorized type AGV. (Japan holds the world record for speed magnetic trains sustentation) with 581 km / h. [2]
TGV remains, in 2005, the world's fastest train in service trade. An average speed for a typical route was 263.3 km / h [3].
[Edit] Extension Service
After opening the 1981 Southeast line linking Paris and allowing south-eastern France, high-speed lines network has expanded continuously. The first TGV which passed through Paris were launched in 1984 (Lille, Lyon) and 1986 (Rouen-Lyon). In 1989 and 1990, high-speed line LGV Atlantique TGV service has allowed an estimated 50 new cities in western France. In 1993, opened LGV Nord line, which allowed the creation of high-speed legătri international with the launch of services to the Benelux and Germany Thalys and Eurostar to London. Eastern Interconnection in 1994 allowed provincial shorter routes bypassing Paris. LGV Méditerranée line allowed in 2001 near the Mediterranean Sea from Paris. On this occasion were launched links to Switzerland and Italy. In 2007 was opened LGV Est line, which allowed extension in eastern France with links to Germany, Luxembourg and northern Switzerland. High-speed lines have a length of 1847 km, ie 5% of the network in operation in France.
Ljubljana airport shuttle .
[Edit] Rolling stock
[Edit] Concept
Southeast TGV Gasket in original color (orange)
TGV peculiarity is that multiple units are made up of two locomotives with two articulated bogies employing a portion. Intermediate bogies are common for two consecutive cars. Joint is also original, allowing for better damping.
This system has several advantages:
reduces the number of axles, lowering its center of gravity and lower end face of the train thereby reducing consumption;
no passenger is seated on the bogie and limited vibration, improving comfort;
train is highly resistant to torsion, which improves its behavior in case of derailment.
Unfortunately, wagons to separate facilities are needed to lift the entire train. The locomotives are coupled and can be separated with a classic train.