From the Shinkansen to the TGV, high-speed rail has continued to advance since its inception. But what is the fastest high speed train?
(Permalink) Shinkansen TGV

The TGV entered service on 22 September 1981, when it travelled for the first time from Paris to Lyon. Unveiled almost 40 years after its first showcase, the new TGV model, TGV-M, is expected to become a beacon of the French railway industry and its innovative approach to design and sustainability. We profile the high-speed train, retracing its history and focusing on its net-zero approach.
(Permalink) France Net Zero TGV TGV-M

The Bretagne-Pays de la Loire high-speed line moved another step closer to the start of operations at the end of January, when TGVs reached the maximum testing speed of 352km/h.

The test programme requires validation of safe operation at 352km/h, 10% above the maximum commercial operating speed of 320km/h. Testing began in November 2016 and speeds have been incrementally increased over the last two months.

During February testing will be carried out on the connections to the conventional network at Connerr, Sabl-sur-Sarthe, La Milesse and Laval.
(Permalink) TGV

TGV trains that will cut more than an hour off the journey from Paris to Bordeaux have entered service.
The maiden trip of the new 'Ocane' TGV train left Montparnasse station in Paris at 9:28am, arriving just over three hours later at Bordeaux's St Jean station. A second train departed for Toulouse at 10:46am.
(Permalink) TGV

French National Railways (SNCF) president Mr Guillaume Pepy confirmed on November 19 that an initial internal investigation into the derailment of a test train on TGV Est Phase 2 on November 14, which killed 11 people, has identified that the accident was caused by excessive speed following a late brake application.
(Permalink) Derailment SNCF TGV

A high-speed TGV train has derailed near the eastern French city of Strasbourg, killing at least seven people, officials say.
The crash happened during a test run in the town of Eckwersheim, on a new Paris-Strasbourg line.
Reports say technicians were on board the train and seven people were injured.
The injured have been taken to hospital by helicopters.
The AFP news agency quotes the Alsace regional prefecture as saying the derailment happened due to 'excessive speed'.
Pictures later showed the locomotive partly submerged in a canal alongside the track. Wreckage was also scattered in a field beside the track.
Rescue teams - including divers - are working at the scene.
(Permalink) Crash Derailment SNCF TGV