French engineers have designed a super-fast train that they claim would beat German and Japanese rivals. The AGV (Automotrice Grande Vitesse) will travel at a ‘commercial service speed’ of 360 km/h (224 mph) out speeding Shinkasen and Siemen’s ICE that travel at an average speed of 300 km/h when in service.
Unlike it’s predecessor TGV, AGV is powered by motors placed under each carriage. Due to this, there is no need of locomotives on the front and rear ends that allows it to carry more passengers.
This new engineering marvel has been designed by engineering giants Alstom. The train was launched in a grand ceremony at rail test centre in La Rochelle, western France that was attended by President Nicholas Sarkozy.
In front of the grand train, French President Sarkozy overwhelmingly praised Alstom staff for their courage and dedication. President Sarkozy said, “We are here today is testimony to the courage of Alstom, because during its worst period it decided not to sacrifice its research and development”.
It was in 2004, Mr Sarkozy, then finance minister, intervened to save Alstom by partially privatising the company and blocking a takeover by Germany’s Siemens which wanted to dismantle the French giant.
The AGV’s new motors are more energy-efficient and the innovative multiple-unit design allows more passenger space, Alstom says.
It also reduces maintenance costs, the company says.
The Italian operator NTV has already bought 25 of the AGV trains, and will run them on the Italian high-speed network at a speed of 300km/h in 2011.
Source: BBC
