France sets a new rail speed record

[Azereus]

A French high-speed train (TGV) has smashed the world record for a train on rails by a big margin, reaching 574.8km/h (356mph).

French TGV trains, in service since 1981, generally travel at about 300km/h. But from 10 June they will be allowed to reach 320km/h on the recently opened Paris-Strasbourg LGV Est line.

Link here .

Incredible...props to the French.
Alizee must be proud.

[zpa]

It was on the local news here. Its just unbelievable how something on rails can travel at such ridiculous speeds They sure know how to build a train..


There's TGV clips on utube in case someone's interested.

[madraven]

Very interesting, I think its cool that it was only about 6 km/h slower then the Maglev

[garçoncanadien]

Congratulations to all involved parties

[zpa]

I wonder what are the odds of surviving should something go terribly wrong... derailment at almost 600kph sounds quite fatal

[Rocket]

I wonder if they intended to set the record or the brakes went out.

[garçoncanadien]

Originally Posted by zpa

I wonder what are the odds of surviving should something go terribly wrong... derailment at almost 600kph sounds quite fatal

ah don't worry about that. personnel are in good hands LGV rail engineering is of the strictest standards.

have a look in here for all those who would like to see more
http://www.record2007.com/site/index_en.php

[Ben]

Saw that report, pretty cool. We rode one of those trains from Paris to Lyon and back. Not quite that fast, but close-ish (maybe about 200mph?). Smooth ride.

[garçoncanadien]

here is the video

SNCF Video

relive life at 574,8 kph

[Matrix]

Wow that's amazing, 350mph. Wish the USA had the technology and the brains to do that. USA is slacking, Congratulations France!

There has been talk of a high speed rail system like this from Los Angeles to Las Vegas, it would drastically cut down on the 4hr commute