3 ms·

The difference is that the TGV you mentioned was a highly modified version just for this speed record. The L0 [1] shown in the video is planned to be the produc

by ojii 13y ago

The difference is that the TGV you mentioned was a highly modified version just for this speed record. The L0 [1] shown in the video is planned to be the production train and run 500km/h in actual service. [1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L0_Series_Shinkansen http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L0_Series_Shinkansen

touristtam 13y ago
Then again both train use different technology. Running gear on a TGV is a massive friction generator compared to a maglev, I would think, and consequently the record is very impressive. Still I would love maglev line to be build through Europe.
- LaGrange 13y ago
  Nah. Space and diminishing returns have been the main blocks for improving EU HSR investment since quite a long time. Dedicated lines take up space that could be used by local rail, are expensive to build, and while they work in an all-the-rails-lead-to-Paris mode, in a less centralized country they're significantly less effective. In fact, three countries probably most often praised for railway quality would be Switzerland (barely any HSR, and huge fail, and while they are adding more tracks between Zurich, Bern and Geneva, they're going to be used by local traffic as well), Netherlands (where railways were limited to 140km/h for way too long, and HSR is also limited) and Germany (there is an extensive HSR network, but it's significantly slower than the French one. All also because getting it faster would cost more than it's worth for them). French HSR is excellent, but the railways in general are a bit lacking (but also used to the point of track and station saturation). Anyway, one possibility many people ignore unfairly (in my opinion) for longer routes are night trains: you might arrive on the same day, but modern night trains often offer a hotel-quality accommodation, so I will be there in the morning, rested, and the time I've spent on the train will be time I'm sleeping anyway - so in many ways the trip actually would take less time than for an airplane or fast rail. And it's far more energy efficient as well.
  - seszett 13y ago
    Night trains are great, but only when it's an option. In France, they are basically limited to the south nowadays, when just a few years back at least some used to run up to here, in the west. Most non-HSR offers are being squeezed, seemingly to orient people towards the more lucrative HSR trains.

by ojii 13y ago

touristtam 13y ago

Then again both train use different technology. Running gear on a TGV is a massive friction generator compared to a maglev, I would think, and consequently the record is very impressive. Still I would love maglev line to be build through Europe.

LaGrange 13y ago
Nah. Space and diminishing returns have been the main blocks for improving EU HSR investment since quite a long time. Dedicated lines take up space that could be used by local rail, are expensive to build, and while they work in an all-the-rails-lead-to-Paris mode, in a less centralized country they're significantly less effective. In fact, three countries probably most often praised for railway quality would be Switzerland (barely any HSR, and huge fail, and while they are adding more tracks between Zurich, Bern and Geneva, they're going to be used by local traffic as well), Netherlands (where railways were limited to 140km/h for way too long, and HSR is also limited) and Germany (there is an extensive HSR network, but it's significantly slower than the French one. All also because getting it faster would cost more than it's worth for them). French HSR is excellent, but the railways in general are a bit lacking (but also used to the point of track and station saturation). Anyway, one possibility many people ignore unfairly (in my opinion) for longer routes are night trains: you might arrive on the same day, but modern night trains often offer a hotel-quality accommodation, so I will be there in the morning, rested, and the time I've spent on the train will be time I'm sleeping anyway - so in many ways the trip actually would take less time than for an airplane or fast rail. And it's far more energy efficient as well.
- seszett 13y ago
  Night trains are great, but only when it's an option. In France, they are basically limited to the south nowadays, when just a few years back at least some used to run up to here, in the west. Most non-HSR offers are being squeezed, seemingly to orient people towards the more lucrative HSR trains.