Exactly at 3:47 p.m. this Thursday, September 14, the TGV M, the fifth generation of SNCF high-speed trains, reached the oh-so-important bar of 320 km/h.
Thursday September 14, 2023 will remain forever engraved in the young life of the TGV M. It was at 3:47 p.m. that the train “ officially became high-speed rolling stock », rejoiced the railway company, which is beginning the last part of its tests. The TGV M should in theory begin its commercial life in 2025. That’s already tomorrow, or almost.
320 km/h for the TGV M? That’s done !
After running trains for 6 months on the Velim test ring in the Czech Republic, the TGV M has been in the development phase since June, since the launch of its second test train. in La Rochelle, shortly after VivaTech.
Then began the testing phase on the French rail, the real one. And the TGV M is successfully completing each of the stages. On September 11, he reached a speed of 200 km/h in traffic. The next day, it was 240 km/h. On September 13, he was traveling at 280 km/h. And on Thursday September 14, he was able to reach a speed of 320 km/h. Like a big.
Yes, the TGV M is now part of the high-speed trains after having validated this step. All that remains is to cross the threshold of 350 km/h. As the TGV M project director at VivaTech told us, “ these circulations will take place until this fall “. Then, the SNCF will be able to complete its approval file, which will then be transmitted to the French and European authorities, before its commercial circulation scheduled for 2025.
The TGV M, the modular, comfortable and environmental train that everyone is waiting for
The new flagship of Alstom and SNCF was designed for its modular appearance. Fully configurable, it will be able to carry 600 passengers in the INOUI version, and increase to 1,200 by coupling two TGVs. This is 200 more travelers than at present.
In OUIGO mode, the capacity of the TGV M will increase to 740 seats, and even 1,480 for two trains joined together. Today, the big OUIGOs accommodate between 1,200 and 1,300 people. And make no mistake: future trains will offer more comfort to travelers, with more space between seats.
But the TGV M also has an environmental argument. “ The TGV M is 32 to 37% CO2 less compared to the old TGV M “, explained David Goeres at the microphone of Clubic last June. Fewer emissions therefore, but also a longer lifespan. From 20 to 40 years today, the lifespan of a TGV M engine (which would be capable of traveling 15 million kilometers) could extend until 2070. The commercial service will initially be launched with 6 to 8 oars. But 100 trainsets have already been blocked with Alstom, and the contract is even extendable up to 220. You won’t be able to miss the TGV M in a few years.
52