http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TGV
2007-04-04 03:53:06 · 21 answers · asked by Jenlara 6 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Rail
I think that sounds fascinating, and hope I can ride it someday soon!
2007-04-04 03:55:50 · answer #1 · answered by chaotic_mum 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
This is a trial run for prestige purposes. The French and Japanese have been battling it out for decades for the conventional train speed record. The French had it in 1955, then the Japanese took it 10 years later with the Bullet Train, then the French reclaimed it with the first TGV... and so on.
Now the Japanese have the overall record with the Maglev but that is not a conventional train, so the present French record still counts for wheeled rail vehicles. Presumably they will try and top the Maglev next.
However in normal service the TGV won't be going quite that fast, because not all lines are designed to cope with speeds of 300mph+ and it would be prohibitively expensive or impossible to upgrade them. Normal speed in service is around 200mph max. and it'll probably stay like that for the foreseeable future.
2007-04-05 02:17:44 · answer #2 · answered by squeaky guinea pig 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The French don't let others keep a land speed record for very long, and they've got a special grudge with maglev!
They're within 4MPH of the maglev speed record, they'll have another crack at it and beat it.
Anyway yeah, wheel-on-rail is the better technology. You gotta build hellaciously expensive special tracks for every mile of a maglev's route, whereas a TGV can use existing railroad tracks anytime it pleases. Here in the USA our freight tracks are good enough that it would take only incremental upgrades to make them TGV friendly. The Acela clips along at 150 on the old New Haven, and I'm not sure why you couldn't do full TGV speeds on the old Pennsy, except for catenary tension.
2007-04-04 16:45:09 · answer #3 · answered by Wolf Harper 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I love the idea it would really work out good here in NYC but alot of changes need to be made to the subway system here first before anything is done. I dont think the TGV could work properly with the old train system. But we sure could use some faster trains in a crowded city as NY...when it comes to transportation....Europe seems to be beating the US. LOL
2007-04-04 03:58:29 · answer #4 · answered by Kern 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have been on it and it takes only 2 hours to get from Paris to a city in the south called Lyon. The thing is that it is comfortable, smooth, and very safe. The TGV has never had an accident. It is very expensive though.
2007-04-04 10:36:03 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
The two things I thought immediately after I saw that report were: I wouldn't want to be on it if it hit something or derailed and can you actually enjoy the scenery along the way or does it go by too fast?
I really wonder how fast is too fast?
2007-04-04 04:02:42 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I saw that. There is a prototype in Japan that travels 361 mph. That's insane! Air planes are the only mode of transportation that I feel comfortable with traveling at faster than normal speeds. I'll stick to planes thank you very much. :)
2007-04-04 04:04:08 · answer #7 · answered by Kooties 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I heavily doubt that you'll locate me in that practice in any respect. i do not think technologies a lot as to shuttle in a practice that is going that quickly! and they are attempting to promote that to California! HAH!
2016-10-17 23:06:59 · answer #8 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
French guy: Queeek zeee Germaans arrr comeeeeng!
French girl: Eeet eez ok my darleeng I av zee TGV teeeket!
F-guy: Oh daleeng yoo arrr soo cleverrrrr!
F-girl: Sorry daleeeng I only bought zee one olivour!
2007-04-04 03:59:05 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 3⤋
Yes, it's a high speed train. I believe you.
2007-04-04 03:55:57 · answer #10 · answered by RexRomanus 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋