French train sets new rail speed record

Updated 13.30 Tue Apr 03 2007

Keywords: record, AGV, TGV, france, train, Alstom, speed

A French train has set a new world rail speed record, speeding across a new rail track at 574.8km/h

The train, known as a V150, is part of the new generation of very high speed trains and was designed for speeds of at least 540 km/hr.

"The design and the construction of the V150 is the result of the intensive involvement of 60 of our best technicians and engineers" - Philippe Mellier

Philippe Mellier, President of Alstom Transport, said: "The design and the construction of the V150 trainset is the result of the intensive involvement of 60 of our best technicians and engineers during 14 months, all over Alstom Transport sites in France.

The train set the record between Preny, in the east of France and Bezannes while hurtling along the future East-European high speed line from Paris to Strasbourg

High-speed trains in France as well as rail links to London, Brussels, Cologne and Amsterdam are competing with plane travel and several French regional airlines have disappeared since the TGV started in 1981.