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5 unusual facts about TGV world speed record


TGV world speed record

The 325 started its run at 9:51 from Dangeau and accelerated for 15 minutes, achieving a top speed of 515.3 km/h (320.3 mph) at the bottom of the hill at kilometer post 166.8.

The axles on 24049 and 24050 were removed and on 2 February, shipped to the Bischheim shops in eastern France for fitting with even larger 1090 mm (43 in) wheels.

The record runs took place on a 140 km section of track 1 on the LGV Est, usually heading west, between kilometer posts 264 (town of Prény) and 120 (near the Champagne-Ardenne TGV station).

The test section itself begins on the common branch, at kilometre 114, at the Dangeau siding.

The two branches separate at Courtalain, 130 km west of Paris, where movable frog points good for 220 km/h (137 mph) in the diverging route direct trains towards either Le Mans or Tours.



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