10.10.08
Railway Performance Society records a world-record 172mph average speed aboard French 200mph TGV Est
A Railway Performance Society (RPS) member has recorded a world-record 172.73mph (277.97 km/h) start-to-stop average speed aboard a 320km/h (198mph) TGV (Train a Grande Vitesse) Est trainset on a scheduled service in France on 27 September 2008. The train covered the 104.05 miles (167.557 km) between the TGV Gare Lorraine and TGV Gare Champagne stations in 36 minutes and ten seconds.
This is the fastest ever average speed recorded by any RPS member worldwide and beats our previous fastest recorded average speed of 171.23 mph (275.73 km/h) recorded six years ago on the TGV Sud Est between Lyon St Exupéry and Aix en Provence. The previous record was set by a 186mph TGV reseau set and covered 179.74 miles (289.44km) in just 62 minutes and 59 seconds.
The exceptionally high average speed is achieved because both stations are situated on the TGV Est high-speed Line. TGV sets can accelerate to their design cruising speed of 199mph (320km/h) on leaving Gare Lorraine, and with the exception of a short 186mph (300km/h) speed restricted section of track, can maintain close to 200mph for the entire distance before braking for the Gare Champagne station stop.
France remains the world-leader in domestic high-speed rail services since its 162mph (260 km/h) service was first launched between Paris and Lyon in 1981. Britain's fastest rail service remains a National Express East Coast service between London and York - where non stop trains are scheduled to achieve a 112mph average speed, 60mph lower than the French record.
The only British high-speed line built to TGV standards finally opens to domestic passengers in 2009 when Southeastern trains launches passenger services between London and Kent using Japanese built high-speed trains. However, as these trains will only run at a maximum speed of 140mph (225kmh), the average speeds between London and Ebbsfleet, and Ebbsfleet to Ashford International are not expected to reach French standards.
The fastest average speed regularly achieved in Britain is 120mph by 186mph Eurostar trains which cover the 50 miles between London St Pancras and Ashford in around 27-28 minutes. These trains only serve International passengers travelling to/from the continent.
Applied to a UK TGV-style network, the RPS has calculated that a 172mph average speed would mean;-
• London to Birmingham/Bristol - 112 miles - 39 min
• London to Liverpool 193 miles – 1hr 7 min
• London to Manchester - 188 miles – 1hr 5 min
• London to Sheffield - 165 miles - 57 min
• London to Newcastle - 268 miles 1h 33 min
• London to Glasgow – 401 miles – 2h 20 min
• London to Edinburgh - 393 miles - 2h 17 min
Actual journey times between these places, on the basis of using the existing stations, would be slower than this, but the possibilities are clear.
RPS Chairman Frank Collins said:
”This achievement really demonstrates the benefits of high-speed rail services as an alternative to car and air transport, especially in these increasingly cost and environmentally conscious times. If similar infrastructure were available in the UK, even on just the main north/south spine, there is a clear potential for huge economic benefit to the country as a whole”.
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