TGV 001

TGV 001 ("Très Grande Vitesse 001"), the first TGV prototype, was commissioned in 1969 and began testing in 1972. The TGV 001 was an experimental gas turbine-electric locomotive-powered trainset built by Alsthom to break speed records between 250 and 300 km/h.

The experimental train was part of a vast research program on high rail speeds. This program covered all technical aspects, principally traction, the behaviour of the vehicles, braking, aerodynamics and signalling. Originally, two trains were to be built, but only one was produced. The second was to be a tilting train equipped with an active tilting system but was abandoned due to technical difficulties.

Description

This turbotrain was built in a radically different fashion than its predecessors (the ETG and the RTG); it was composed of two locomotives and three carriages, all with driving wheels. This concept as well as the shape of the TGV 001 was kept when designing the future TGV.

Each axle was equipped with electric motors with the advantage of small weight per axle but maximum power. Electric traction permitted dynamic braking, particularly effective at high speeds. Each locomotive was equipped with two turbines (TURMO III G then TURMO X), also used in the Super Frelons helicopters. As well as having direct control of the turbines, the locomotives were equipped with traction, braking and signalling controls.

The TGV 001 was an articulated train; each carriage shared one bogie with the next. This setup ensured greater stability and permitted placing the suspension to be placed near the centre of gravity of each carriage, thus reducing rolling in curves.

ervice

Despite setting the speed record for gas turbine-powered rail vehicles (318 km/h), this train never saw commercial use.

History

TGV 001, finished on 24 March 1972, began to undergo testing on 4 April of the same year. It would go on to carry out 5227 runs, running half a million kilometres and breaking the 300 km/h barrier 175 times.

TGV 001 still holds the world speed record for a turbotrain, having travelled at 318 km/h on 8 December 1972.

The 1973 energy crisis caused a sharp increase in the price of oil, after which it was deemed impractical to use oil to power the TGV, and the project turned to electric traction.

Tests officially concluded on 19 June 1978.

Preservation

*T 001 : Bischheim (Bas-Rhin),
*T 002 : Belfort (Territoire de Belfort).

ee also

*Turbotrain
*Gas turbine-electric locomotive
*SNCF
*British Rail APT-E

External links

* [http://www.emdx.org/rail/30ansTGV 30 ans de TGV]