TGV experiment .... 359 mph !!!

peterbaker

The record-breaking run just completed in France (Paris-Strasbourg line I believe) is quite some food for thought I think!

That kind of speed is directly comparable to travelling by the latest aviation methods, or even perhaps comparable to travelling in a UK rail maintenance contractor's white van in the fast lane on a dual carriageway at half past three on a Friday afternoon! I understand that a Japanese train has actually gone a tad faster, but nevertheless, this was quite exciting to watch! (See it on the news tonight).

I had no idea that we had the technology to go quite that fast in a train. I was still labouring under the impression that 200 mph was about the limit.

I think it is a brilliant achievement, and so very close to home! But we could never trust it on Network Rail, could we? Too many loose bolts and no-one looking for them after half past three...doh!

Anyway, well done Eric!

saintjanet

Look forward to seeing it,just hope they don't let that hamster bloke have a drive:D

Mobeer

peterbaker wrote: »

I had no idea that we had the technology to go quite that fast in a train. I was still labouring under the impression that 200 mph was about the limit.

The fastest journeys by train today seem to be about 186mph in Europe and Japan, with 269 mph in China (Pudong airport maglev). The BBC says French TGVs may operate at 200mph from June.

Stephen_Leak

Are we sure they don't mean 359 kph? :-) In any event, Dionysius Lardner must be spinning (slowly) in his grave.

peterbaker

Nope the ol' vitesse-ometer clocked up to around 570kph in one spurt! It didn't half go!

Do tell, why would Dionysius be turning in his grave?? WikiP says "Lardner showed himself to be a successful popularizer of science" and he knew a bit about steam engines.

Sure this wasn't steam, but wasn't it successful popularizing either then?

moonrakerz

The film on the BBC news showed the train going under a bridge which had people stood on top watching - it looked absolutely terrifying ! It would be like an airliner flying under your feet.

balsingh

French. Japanese. German.

Are Britain ever going to get a really fast train??? Public transport always seems so 2nd grade here

rdwarr

It would be relatively easy to crank up one of our trains to do 200mph. Trouble is, there's no track good enough!
When the French want a high-speed rail route between two cities they build a straight piece of track to support it. We can only manage "Heath Robinson" type tilting trains which can go round 90mph bends at 125.

peter999

359mph Wow !!

Vive La France.

peter999

peter999

moonrakerz wrote: »

The film on the BBC news showed the train going under a bridge which had people stood on top watching - it looked absolutely terrifying ! It would be like an airliner flying under your feet.

Fantastic.

Not like the namby pamby politically correct nonsense we get in the UK.

peter999

moonrakerz

peter999 wrote: »

Fantastic.

Not like the namby pamby politically correct nonsense we get in the UK.

peter999

Wouldn't have been allowed in the UK - 'elf and safety "