TGV in UK

[williamn]

Saw in the latest edition of the Railway Magazine that an SNCF TGV made an overnight test run to St Pancras and return. All very cloak and dagger in the middle of the night (in contrast to DB's profile raising run). Any clue what this is all about? Eurostar to use TGV's? SNCF to run services through to St P?

 

[90019]

Eurostar to use TGV's??

They already do

 

[WestCoast]

90019 is correct is saying that the class 373s that Eurostar uses are actually classified as TGVs in the French system.

SNCF may be planning some routes with other TGV stock, who knows!

DB wanted to gather publicity by sending a Siemens Velaro through to St. Pancras - ahead of the routes it hopes to launch. They were certainly very successful!

 

[Gordon]

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Hi all,


With all due respect I think everyone's missed the point here.

The train used was Iris 320 converted TGV so it's more about the equipment available on the train than any other reason. The only alternative might have been NRs yellow HST measuring train but the Iris 320 is set up for TGV lines so is the better option.

It's the same situation as when the SNCF 67200 diesels came to St Pancras which was nothing to do with planning services using these locos (pity!!!)

a technical UIC document in English:
http://www.uic.org/apps/presentation/foeillet.pdf

a layman's guide in French:
http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/TGV_IRIS_320



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[umontu]

Any pic's/vid of it in St.P?

 

[ralphchadkirk]

Any pic's/vid of it in St.P?

There was one in the latest issue of the Railway Magazine, but I'm led to believe it is the only photo available.

 

[umontu]

Cheers ralphchadkirk.
And for others that don't buy magazines I've found a link.
http://www.railwaymagazine.co.uk/news/tgv-in-secret-visit-to-uk

To be honest when DB made their journey up the train was pulled by the Krupps pair as well. I guess being the middle of the night meant less traffic disruption.

ICE Arriving at London http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdEhdTRgDgg

Would have been nice to see them run properly.

 

[Nonsense]

Would have been nice to see them run properly.

Indeed. How did they get through the tunnel if not on their own power? Surely, not dragged by diesel all that way.

Do the le shuttle locos ever haul anything else other than the shuttles? What else is cleared to use the tunnel beyond the class 92s? Are those 22200 class still about?

 

[Gordon]

Do the le shuttle locos ever haul anything else other than the shuttles?
Are those 22200 class still about?

No and No

the 22200 were returned to normal SNCF use way back in 1996.

Here is a link to a French chap's picture site showing recent pictures of this batch of locos:
http://www.euro-photos-trains.com/sncf22200DB.htm




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[TGV]

90019 is correct is saying that the class 373s that Eurostar uses are actually classified as TGVs in the French system.

SNCF may be planning some routes with other TGV stock, who knows!

DB wanted to gather publicity by sending a Siemens Velaro through to St. Pancras - ahead of the routes it hopes to launch. They were certainly very successful!

Not only just classified as TGV - they *ARE* a TGV. They share many components with TGV sets of varying vintage, and have many systems or parts that are simply specially modified versions of what's on TGV. The closest relative to 373 (or TMST as SNCF call it) is TGV Atlantique.

 

[WestCoast]

Not only just classified as TGV - they *ARE* a TGV. They share many components with TGV sets of varying vintage, and have many systems or parts that are simply specially modified versions of what's on TGV. The closest relative to 373 (or TMST as SNCF call it) is TGV Atlantique.

Yes, a part of the TGV family you could say.

Rather 'interesting' that Eurostar have gone for the Siemens Velaro though, isn't it?

 

[Crossforth]

So is this another item of foreign rolling stock that has not received a TOPS code.

I assume this proves then that HS1 stock does not require to be classified under the TOPS system?

 

[Hydro]

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The train used was Iris 320 converted TGV so it's more about the equipment available on the train than any other reason. The only alternative might have been NRs yellow HST measuring train but the Iris 320 is set up for TGV lines so is the better option.

The NMT already runs occasionally on HS1, thanks to trials last year. The standard track geometry measurement vehicle for everything between the ET boundary and STP is the Track Recording Coach 999550, running between a pair of TVM430 equipped MPV's. Class 66's are used occasionally too.

The NMT and the TRC when running with 66's have to operate in a possession and run at limited speed using special operating instructions. With MPV's, the TRC operates in traffic.

 

[Daimler]

Here is a link to a French chap's picture site showing recent pictures of this batch of locos:
http://www.euro-photos-trains.com/sncf22200DB.htm
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Do French photographers just have incredibly high standards or are there loads of fantastic, unobstructed locations for photography in France?

 

[Gordon]

The NMT and the TRC .

Sorry - I can't see a decode of NMT - what is NMT?

cheers

 

[Csalem]

New Measurement Train, the yellow Network Rail HST, though I don't know if word New should apply anymore:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Measurement_Train

 

[Hydro]

Edit: Disregard.

 

[Gordon]

Do French photographers just have incredibly high standards or are there loads of fantastic, unobstructed locations for photography in France?

There are some good photographers in France, but equally yes there are lots of open spaces, as France is a much bigger country than Britain and with a smaller population.

approx figures:
GB: 89,000 sq miles, pop 60 million, density 717 people per sqaure mile
France: 213,000 sq miles, pop 63 million, density 301 people/sq mile

Having said that I am often frustrated by trees, bushes embankments etc when looking for photo spots in France


Sadly with the demise of Fotopic, my main ‘web site’ is not visible anymore, but lots of my SNCF pictures can be found on other sites where I have posted French Railways photos:

http://frenchrailwaysinfosite.webs.com/

http://s34.photobucket.com/albums/d112/josage/

http://gwizz.zenfolio.com/f125714299






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