4rail.net - TGV Super High Speed

Train Recognition Guide Super High Speed Main S.H.S. Train Families > TGVs Velaro & ICE High Speed Train Families Pendolino High Speed Records Page High Speed Services Allegro (Karelian Trains) Eurostar Manufacturers Pics of the Month 2010-12 Pics of the Month 2007-9 Unusual RR Pics Gallery RR Snow Fighting Gallery	Welcome to TGV Super High Speed Trains Page! Below the existing over 650 TGV units are sorted in the order of appearance. Click any types picture to see more information or the larger version of the picture. Most of the subjects have a lot of extra information available. This page will contain latest information on the legendary TGV train family in the detail level. For now there are updates almost weekly. French High Speed Early History * TGV-PSE * TGV-LaPoste * TGV-Atlantique * TMST Eurostars * TGV-Reséau * Thalys PBA (TGV-Reséau type) * TGV-Duplex * Thalys PBKA * TGV-Hybrid * TGV-Iris * TGV-V150 * TGV-POS *		Created for 4rail.net by John McKey. Pictures by Andreas Ehnberg, Hannu Peltola, Ilkka and Sanna Siissalo, Nick Slocombe, Gerard J. Putz and John McKey.
		Early History of the French High Speed Like in most other countries, the French super high speed revolution was a result of decades of persistent work choosing between the alternatives and above all trying to find the needed monetary resources for the chosen technology. Among other alternatives for the Train à Grande Vitesse, even the gas turbine prototype under "TGV-001" was tested. This approach was however quickly found as uneconomical in the post oil cirisis (1973) world, so the current energy source electricity was chosen. Most other modules remained original, including the looks of the first TGV units, aerodynamic slightly airplane style designed by Jack Cooper. Information on French High Speed Lines...
		TGV-PSE (TGV Paris-Sud Est) The very first production type of the Alstom TGVs and the train that started the infamous TGV saga we know today. Originally the 92 units were painted bright orange / blue / red livery and were only painted current SNCF super high speed gray and blue around year 2000 when the units were refurbished. Most of the units will again be refurbished and rebuilt for another 15 years in daily service. Units built: 109, built in 1978 - 1985 Unit numbers: 01 - 102 (bivoltage), 110 - 118 (trivoltage) Maximum allowed speed: 300 km/h (186 mph) Electrical systems: All 25kV 50Hz and 1500V DC, a small group also 15 kV 16,7 Hz Usage: All around France, multicurrent models also in international journeys to Switzerland and Italy. Detailed information on TGV-PSE type and units...
		TGV La Poste (TGV PSE for French Postal Services) La Poste was early in maximizing the speed of its services in the 1980s with 7 half TGV sets adapted to super high speed freight transport. Units built: 7 half units (loco with 4 cars) built in 1981 and 1984 Unit numbers: 951 - 957 Maximum allowed speed: 270 km/h (168 mph) Electrical systems: All 25kV 50Hz and 1500V DC Usage: In France. Use getting lesser. (However, there would be need for similar units on cargo carriers competing with postal services.) Detailed information on TGV La Poste type and units...
		TGV Atlantique / TGV-A The second generation of the TGV trains, TGV Atlantique, was designed shortly after the excellent experiences on the operations of the TGV-PSE's were available. The original operating area for these improved super high speed trains was the French new LGV Atlantique line between Paris, Le Mans and 2 short branches (south west of Paris) finished in 1989-1990. Units built: originally 95, 10 more added later, built in 1988 - 1991 Unit numbers: 301 - 405 Maximum allowed speed: 300 km/h (186 mph) Electrical systems: All 25kV 50Hz and 1500V DC Usage: Mainly lines Southwest of Paris France. Detailed information on TGV-Atlantique type and units...
		TMST Eurostars Eurostars are close relatives to the TGVs. While the building consortium was wider, the basic solutions ended up being very similar to the TGVs. The most important difference seem to be that while the TGVs typically have only 8 or 10 trailers, the Eurostar (double/operational) unit has 18 or 14 trailers. Reliability of the Eurostar unit is also lower than that of the TGV (93-96% vs. 99%). Units built: 31 18 trailer half sets and 14 14 car half set, 1992-93 Unit numbers: 3201 - 3232 + 3999 PC, 3301 - 3314 Maximum allowed speed: 300 km/h (186 mph) Electrical systems: 750V DC (third rail), 1500V DC, 3000V DC, 25 kV 50 Hz Usage: General purpose super high speed train, the capital units are used especially for Channel Tunnel traffic. Detailed information on Eurostars on their theme page...
		TGV Réseau / TGV-R TGV Réseau is the other second generation train set type. Externally similar to the Atlantique sets, the Réseaus have 8 intermediate trailers instead of the 10 on Atlantique. This makes Réseau sets "standard" TGV-length, 200 meters from one end to another, and allow the double set to use the French standard 400 meter platform length effectively. The Réseau units were also slightly improved from the Atlantique type by adding the seals against the pressure variations (just like airplanes, or newer locomotives). Units built: 90, 1993 - 1995 Unit numbers: 501 - 514, 534 - 553 Maximum allowed speed: 300 km/h (186 mph) > 320 km/h (199 mph) Electrical systems: All 25kV 50Hz and 1500V DC, 40 units also 3000V DC, with either Belgian or Italian cab signalling. Usage: General purpose national and international type commonly seen on lines. Detailed information on TGV-Réseau type and units...
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		Thalys PBA (TGV Réseau for Thalys) Thalys is a separate company co-owned by the SNCF (62%), Belgian SNCB (10%) and Deutsche Bahn (10%). Thalys owns 9 units of similar to TGV Réseau. The units are used to connect Brussels with Paris, Köln in Germany and Dutch capital Amsterdam. Even Marseille has been added to the destination chart. Units built: 10, 1996 Unit numbers: 4532 - 4540, 4501 transferred to SNCF in 2007 Maximum allowed speed: 300 km/h (186 mph) Electrical systems: All 25kV 50Hz and 1500V DC plus 3000V DC, with ATB (Dutch) cab signalling. Usage: international type commonly seen on lines north of Paris, occasionally elsewhere too. Detailed information on Thalys PBA (Réseau) units...
		TGV Duplex (First Double Decked TGV type) TGV Duplex is both the first 3rd generation TGV as well as the first double decked TGV type. The double decked construction was achieved without adding weight of the trailers! Units built: 89, 1996 - 2006 Unit numbers: 201 - 289 Maximum allowed speed: 320 km/h (199 mph) Electrical systems: All 25kV 50Hz and 1500V DC Cab signalling: TVM-430 plus KVB Usage: Very common TGV type inside France Detailed information on TGV-Duplex type and units...
		Thalys PBKA (TGV Duplex engine and s. story tr. for Thalys) TGV Duplex generation units with single story trailers were also manufactured for Thalys to supplement the capacity of ten Thalys PBA (Réseau like units). These units are used mainly on the international traffic north of Paris. Units built: 17, 1996 - 1998 Unit numbers: 4301 - 4307 (SNCB), 4321 - 4322 (DB), 4331 - 4332 (NS), 4341 - 4346 (SNCF) Maximum allowed speed: 300 km/h (186 mph) Electrical systems: All 25kV 50Hz, 1500V DC, 3000V DC, 15kV 16,7 Hz Cab signalling: TVM-430, KVB, ATBL, LZB (depending on the use) Usage: Common TGV type north of France Detailed information on Thalys-PBKA type and units...
		TGV Hybrid (Reseau Locos with Duplex Trailers)/TGV ReséauDuplex TGV Hybrid or TGV Réseau-Duplex is an interesting design of second generation locomotives and fourth generation coaches. In early 2000s traffic boomed and added capacity was needed FAST, resulting in switching trailers between the 19 Duplex trainsets and 19 Réseau sets. The result on a hybrid side is a very Duplex-like trainset with a broad blue band effectively disguising the forms of the Réseau locomotives at both ends. Units altered/built: 19, PCs 1992-1994, trailers 2005 - 2007 Unit numbers: 601 - 619 Maximum allowed speed: 320 km/h (199 mph) Electrical systems: All 25kV 50Hz and 1500V DC, with TVM430 cab signalling (for use in France). Usage: General purpose national type for higher capacity lines. Detailed information on TGV-Hybrid type and units...
		TGV Dasye (TGV "Daisy") (Second Double Decked TGV type) TGV-Dasye follows in the foot steps of the highly successfull TGV-Duplex. The locomotives of these 700-series TGVs have asynchronous (AC) traction and European standard trains control. Units built: 24 + 25 (about 35 delivered currently), 2007 - 2011 Unit numbers: 701 - 749 Maximum allowed speed: 320 km/h (199 mph) Electrical systems: All 25kV 50Hz and 1500V DC Cab signalling: ETCS2 plus TVM-430 Usage: Same as on Duplexes, ETCS2 allows for wider European use like the Benelux and elsewhere electrical systems allowing. Detailed information on TGV-Dasye type and units...
		TGV Iris320 (TGV for super high speed metering) The unit 4530 of the TGV Réseau fleet was transformed into a moving super high speed lab in 2006. While moving with the flow of traffic, the trains state of art insturuments detect any wear, tear and other infra based risks. Also, its a base and super high speed moving hotel for its staff! Units built: 1, 2006 Unit numbers: ex. TGV Reséau 4530 > TGVR3846302 Maximum allowed speed: 320 km/h (199 mph) Electrical systems: All 25kV 50Hz, 1500V/3000V DC, 15kV 16,7 Hz Cab signalling: TVM-430, .... Usage: Metering in the whole of France's railnetworks. Detailed information on TGV-Iris320 type and units...
		TGV V150 (World Record Speed Trainset) In 2007 a special TGV-V150 unit was built to hunt for the "conventional" trains world record. This new record of 574,8 km/h (357 mph) was achieved on April 3rd 2007 on French LGV-Est after several months of preparations and fine tuning. The V150 was built like a sportscar, every detail was tuned compared with the normal super high speed trains. The locomotives for the TGV-150 were later used for the PGV-POS units running between Paris France and the cities of Germany. Detailed information on TGV-V150 unit...
		TGV POS (TGV Paris Ostfrankreich) The new fast TGV units connecting Paris with the "East", Eastern France and Germany are called TGV POS. These feature the new asynchronous power cars and trailers taken from the previous TGV Réseau units. Two of the power cars were also used for the TGV-V150. Units built: 19, 2005 - 2007 Unit numbers: 4401 - 4419 Maximum allowed speed: 320 km/h (199 mph), some reports on 340 km/h Electrical systems: all 1500 V DC, 16,7 kV 16,7Hz and 25kV 50Hz Cab signalling: ETCS2 plus TVM-430 Usage: Mainly for traffic east of Paris Detailed information on TGV-POS type and units... ..


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