The SNCF TGV Sud-Est was a French high speed TGV train built by Alsthom and Francorail-MTE and operated by SNCF, the French national railway company. The trainsets were semi-permanently coupled, consisting of two power cars (locomotives) and eight passenger carriages. The equipment was named after the Ligne à Grande Vitesse Sud-Est (Southeast high-speed line) that the trains first operated on. Operation TGV 100, referring to a target speed of 100 metres per second (360 km/h, 224 mph), took place on 26 February 1981 shortly before the opening of the LGV Sud-Est and ended with a speed record of 380 km/h (236 mph) set by TGV Sud-Est trainset number 16. In December 2019, all TGV Sud-Est sets were retired from service. In early 2020, a farewell service was run which included TGV01 (nicknamed Patrick), the very first TGV train ever built. This train was painted in all 3 liveries that it used during its service. |
|
Type of Unit |
Electric - Overhead Catenary (25kV 50Hz AC/ 1500V DC) |
Builder |
Alsthom/ Francorail-MTE |
Build Dates |
1978 to 1988 |
Total Sets Built |
111 |
Power Output |
9,100 hp (AC) 4,200 hp (DC) |
Top Speed |
186 mph (Originally 162mph) (World Record Run recorded 236mph) |
Passenger Capacity |
350 |
Operated By |
SNCF |
Main Duties |
Express Passenger |
In Service Until |
2020 |
Surviving Sets |
4 |