Train a Grande Vitesse

Abstract

The TGV (French: Train a Grande Vitesse) is France?s high speed rail service, currently operated by an organization known as SNCF Voyages. To counteract the popular misconception that the TGV would be another premium service for business travelers, SNCF started a major publicity campaign focusing on the speed, frequency, reservation policy, normal price, and broad accessibility of the service. This commitment to a democratized TGV service was further enhanced in the Mitterrand era with the promotional slogan "Progress means nothing unless it is shared by all". The TGV inspired its power from rocket train. The aerodynamic structure was derived from mallard. The stability was a modification of the shinkansen train commonly known as the bullet train. The nuclear power stations of France helped these trains attend such a speed. These all factors helped the TGV train to set the record for the fastest scheduled rail journey with the top speed of 574.8km/h (Testing). The TGV was considerably faster than normal trains, cars, or aeroplanes. The trains became widely popular, the public welcoming fast and practical travel. This paper presents the origin and operational aspects of the pride of France i.e. TGV.