So much for Maglev! :teeth: Now if only the Acelas weren't several inches too fat, then we could give them a run for their money!
Maglev still holds the record, but some are reluctant to call it a train. Something about things called "wheels." ! ! ! S. E.
Even CNN picked up on this one... http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/europe/04/03/TGVspeedrecord.ap/index.html Similar video link along with the story.
sparks flying overhead and kicking up a long trail of dust Oh oh, this means that they can never use it in California. Can you just imagine the response to having a fine cloud of dust settling on the nearby houses? Lawyers, start yer engines!
This is really an AMAZING feat!! I am impressed, and look forward to more high speed trains!! I might have to learn to speak French, as that would be an awesome feeling controling something that fast.
The acceleration and deceleration must neck-snapping, considering it has 25,000 HP for three cars and two power units. Jerry, you'll need more than just a seat belt, you'll need a NASCAR harness....mg: :teeth:
Ken, the same thing that happens whenever we put our lives at risk with other people in control, e.g. on ferry boats, busses, taxis, air planes, subways, and especially with other drivers on roads! We all just have faith that the other person doesn't want to feel pain either....!
The dust was because the track is new. Actually it's not. Normal accelleration and decelleration is only about 0.1g and emergency braking is about 0.15g. The event was shown live on French TV. Naturally it appeared on YouTube within minutes. [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8skXT5NQzC"]YouTube - Broadcast Yourself.[/ame] Cheers David
ya know, there is a joke about french soldiers here just dying to be told..... but hey this IS a civilized forum
Apparently before each high speed run as they were building up the to record attempt, they ran a normal TGV over the line at 360kph to check the track was ok and there were no obstructions. I guess if anything were on the track, it would not be good, even if going ONLY 360kph!
I wonder what effect cross-winds would have on the train at 550kph.....? For that matter, consider the air compression impact when passing a train travelling in the opposite direction at a combined speed of 1100kph! On NE Corridor trains, you can feel a slight sideways jolt when a train passes in the opposite direction with a combined speed of only 200kph.
Hank, I can't say I noticed much of a jolt when meeting another Eurostar at a closing speed of around 600km/h just outside of Lille, France. It didn't take long for a 20-car trainset to pass, though!
TGV goes 357.4 m.p.h. Yes I'm not kidding the French TGV went a wopping 357.4 miles per hour yesterday and blew the doors off of anything on rails to date though the japanese mag lev is still the fastest "train" the tgv is the fastest on rails.
