TGV Est completes trial run at 360 km/h

Alstom Transport took advantage of the occasion to
demonstrate that, at the commercial operating speed of 320km/h,
passenger comfort and safety conditions remain superb. No
additional noise interference or vibration was generated than
at 300km/h, the speed at which the existing TGV operates.

For some months now, technicians have been testing and
validating the qualities of the rolling stock and
infrastructure under real-life conditions using the trainset,
which is fitted with a range of measuring equipment. This has
allowed them to fine tune its settings to ensure that the train
will perform perfectly from the moment it is brought into
commercial service on the line, in June 2007.

Passengers were able to follow on a screen as the
trains power increased until it reached cruising speed.
At 10.42am, as the train was passing through
Saint-Mand-sur-Aune, the control monitors showed them that its
speed had peaked at 360.6km/h and again, as a number of
rail specialists were moved to comment, without any disturbance
or discomfort for passengers. Indeed, the only difference was
that the countryside was now flying by a good deal
faster  one wonders, will the cows still be quick
enough to watch the trains go by ?