SNCF TGV SE Unit 4

SNCF TGV SE Unit 4

SNCF TGV SE Unit 4

Train a Grande Vitesse (high speed train) of the Societe Nationale des Chemins de fers Francais (French National Railways). TGV is a system which comprises train, track, and signalling technologies to facilitate high speed rail travel. (typically 300 km/h, or 186 mph).

The idea was conceived in the 60's, but conventional thinking at the time was that technology for steel wheels on steel rails had progressed as far as it would, and so initially the project was refused any government funding.

'A completely new line was built beginning in the late seventies, running from Paris most of the way to Lyon. On 27 September 1981, the first section of the line was opened to revenue service by president François Mitterrand, and the streamlined, bright orange trains became instant celebrities.' Source: http://mercurio.iet.unipi.it/tgv/background.html

The TGV was an instant success, virtually grounding air traffic between Paris and Lyon, economists tantalised by the fact that the TGV actually turns a profit, paying for itself (including construction costs) in the first ten years.

There are a few fundamental differences between the TGV and conventional rail systems. The rails themselves are welded and supported on low maintenance concrete sleepers, just like many modern railroads; though ballast depth is greater, and track centers are further apart to reduce the blast of two high speed trains crossing.

A principle differences is in curvature, on a conventional railroad, 10 chains is considered a sharp curve radius - in high speed rail, a 'tight' curve radius can be in the order of 3 miles! The outer rails are 'super-elevated', or slightly raised which enables the train to negotiate curves at high speed.

The other striking difference is that there is no trackside signalling, as the indications are too difficult to read at high speed. Signalling information is transmitted digitally to the driver, who sees the indications on a display in the cab. Computers are responsible for the control of many important functions.

Another point worthy of consideration is that due to the proprtionately smaller loss of speed when ascending hills, tracks can be laid on much steeper grades than considered suitable for conventional rail. This makes location of routes much more flexible and therefore less expensive. The ruling grade on the original Paris to Lyon route was roughly 1 in 125. TGV technology permitted banks of up to 1 in 29 over the revised corridor.

Daily operation at speeds in excess of 300km has resulted in few incidents, and the TGV has an impeccable safety record, with 0 casualties reported in over 20 years of constant operation.

SNCF TGV SE Unit 4
• config.txt 36.18KB
• dls_thumbnail.jpg 9.25KB
• start.wav 21.50KB
tgv_se_unit4_art
tgv_se_unit4_art_512.texture.txt 89 bytes
tgv_se_unit4_art_512.tga 1.00MB
tgv_se_unit4_art_icon.texture.txt 118 bytes
tgv_se_unit4_art_icon.tga 32.04KB
tgv_se_unit4_body
doors
door_21.texture.txt 30 bytes
door_21.tga 12.04KB
door_22.texture.txt 30 bytes
door_22.tga 12.04KB
env_glass.bmp 12.05KB
env_glass.texture.txt 32 bytes
left_door.im 4.35KB
left_door.kin 3.75KB
right_door.im 4.29KB
right_door.kin 3.75KB
window+interior.texture.txt 38 bytes
window+interior.tga 12.04KB
env_glass.bmp 12.05KB
env_glass.texture.txt 32 bytes
map4.texture.txt 27 bytes
map4.tga 768.04KB
tgv_se_unit4_body.im 111.63KB
window+interior.texture.txt 38 bytes
window+interior.tga 12.04KB
tgv_se_unit4_shadow
black.texture.txt 28 bytes
black.tga 786 bytes
tgv_se_unit4_shadow.im 14.12KB