Author Topic: French train breaks speed record... (Read 2119 times)

K Frame · « **on:** April 03, 2007, 03:34:56 AM »

Just about anything French can break speed records when it's retreating...

ABOARD TRAIN V150, France -- A high-speed French train with a souped-up engine and wheels broke the world speed record Tuesday for conventional rail trains, reaching 357.2 mph.

The black and chrome train with three double-decker cars, named the V150, bettered the previous record of 320.2 mph, set in 1990 by the French fast train. However, it fell short of the ultimate record set by Japan's non-conventional magnetically levitated train, which sped to 361 mph in 2003.

The endeavor showcased technology France is trying to sell to overseas markets like China.

280plus · « **Reply #1 on:** April 03, 2007, 03:46:08 AM »

So you're saying it broke the speed record going backward? laugh

wmenorr67 · « **Reply #2 on:** April 03, 2007, 04:01:09 AM »

There is no way to accuratly gauge the speed of it in reverse. It wouldn't be safe.

Manedwolf · « **Reply #3 on:** April 03, 2007, 04:31:02 AM »

Quote from: wmenorr67 on April 03, 2007, 03:01:09 AM

There is no way to accuratly gauge the speed of it in reverse. It wouldn't be safe.

Not to mention that at that speed, you wouldn't even hear the backup beep before it hit you.

And seriously, wow, nearly 400mph. How do they make sure nobody crosses the tracks? If that hit a person, I think they'd just be a spray of reddish mist.

roo_ster · « **Reply #4 on:** April 03, 2007, 05:48:03 AM »

Cool technology.

I wonder if the fast trains run by France have every made a profit?

K Frame · « **Reply #5 on:** April 03, 2007, 06:44:26 AM »

Uh...

Guys?

If YOU were fleeing an agressor in the manner that a Frenchman does, do you backpedal, or do you turn tail and haul ass?

Geez...

Warren · « **Reply #6 on:** April 03, 2007, 08:37:51 PM »

Now if we could just get an airship to go that fast and remain comfortable for the passengers.

I'd be fine with a trip to the east coast taking about three times as long as a jet plane if I could get up and walk around for the whole trip. And I mean around, not just up and down some cramped aisle. Maybe to a bar or a bar and grill, or a bar + buffet or a BarCade (great drinks plus the latest video games) or a bar + chapel for my spiritual needs.

crt360 · « **Reply #7 on:** April 04, 2007, 04:24:43 AM »

Seeing as how we don't even have tracks down here safe enough to run 50 mph in many places, and have plenty of derailments at slower speeds, I'd say 357 mph is pretty impressive for conventional rail. shocked

Perd Hapley · « **Reply #8 on:** April 04, 2007, 04:30:20 AM »

I listen to talk radio all day long, at work, and this story was mentioned many, many times. Why is it such big news?

Laurent du Var · « **Reply #9 on:** April 04, 2007, 04:45:46 AM »

Quote from: fistful on April 04, 2007, 03:30:20 AM

I listen to talk radio all day long, at work, and this story was mentioned many, many times. Why is it such big news?

Honestly, I leasten to some radio in the car, I quickly read the local newspaper
le Nice matin and I watch TV (not a lot) and haven't heard a single word.
I don't care enough to google it up but it is true that the high speed trains are doing great jobs. They go from Marseille to Paris in 4 hours I hear.
I have to fly once a month but my company only pays for airfare.
I hate flying, and since I can't bring my own liquor I'd hassle the
airwaitresses (stewardess) for refills, in vain. undecided

280plus · « **Reply #10 on:** April 04, 2007, 05:17:09 AM »

Just for you laurent... grin

http://www.after5catalog.com/product_info.php/cPath/1_5/products_id/77

Perd Hapley · « **Reply #11 on:** April 04, 2007, 05:31:15 AM »

Nice beer-goggles.

crt360 · « **Reply #12 on:** April 04, 2007, 05:36:11 AM »

Or, you could get the cell phone that "holds 3 oz. of your favorite canned heat, hootch, or go-go juice."

Canned heat?

Sergeant Bob · « **Reply #13 on:** April 04, 2007, 06:02:09 AM »

Quote from: jfruser on April 03, 2007, 04:48:03 AM

Cool technology.

I wonder if the fast trains run by France have every made a profit?

I did a bit of searching and found mixed reports. The French rail authority (whatever it's called) says they make a 12% profit. However, I think they might be talking about 12% over the operating costs, not including the R & D and costs to build it, they don't specify.

I found a couple rail fan sites who talked about it and they said its hard to get an unbiased report.

MechAg94 · « **Reply #14 on:** April 04, 2007, 11:07:03 AM »

The problem with this is that security would have to be just as tight as air travel and the long straight rails would require a lot of additional imminent domain and inconvenience to land/home owners. I guess I don't see the big deal.

Laurent du Var · « **Reply #15 on:** April 04, 2007, 11:34:36 AM »

Quote from: 280plus on April 04, 2007, 04:17:09 AM

Just for you laurent... grin

http://www.after5catalog.com/product_info.php/cPath/1_5/products_id/77

Oh, I'd love those, are they coming any bigger than that ?
It would take 20cl of wodka to last me a 2 hours flight !

mfree · « **Reply #16 on:** April 04, 2007, 11:43:33 AM »

Quote

The problem with this is that security would have to be just as tight as air travel...

Yeah, can't have terrorists seizing the controls and steering the train right into l'arc de triomphe or le tour de eiffel.

MechAg94 · « **Reply #17 on:** April 04, 2007, 11:48:26 AM »

A train going that fast with a lot of people could be a target, from the inside or without. I doubt they would tell you to shut off the ipod before reaching the station though.

I guess was reacting to all the debates in the past about putting high speed rail in Texas.

280plus · « **Reply #18 on:** April 04, 2007, 12:05:35 PM »

Quote

Oh, I'd love those, are they coming any bigger than that ?
It would take 20cl of wodka to last me a 2 hours flight !

I believe they hold a pint, but don't quote me.

I wonder what happens first time a car or truck gets stuck on a crossing. That's gotta be messy...

crt360 · « **Reply #19 on:** April 04, 2007, 03:00:47 PM »

Quote from: 280plus on April 04, 2007, 11:05:35 AM

Quote

Oh, I'd love those, are they coming any bigger than that ?
It would take 20cl of wodka to last me a 2 hours flight !

I believe they hold a pint, but don't quote me.

16 oz. = 47.3 cl = you're good for nearly 4 hrs 45 min of flying on one pair of barnoculars or about 53 min per cell phone flask

CypherNinja · « **Reply #20 on:** April 04, 2007, 04:30:02 PM »

For this kind of train, I doubt there are crossings. grin

Headless Thompson Gunner · « **Reply #21 on:** April 04, 2007, 07:03:10 PM »

Any word on how fast they plan to operate the new train under normal usage? It's one thing to load it down with extra engines and tricked out wheels and go racing. It's something else to be able to maintain those speeds for regular service day in and day out.

K Frame · « **Reply #22 on:** April 04, 2007, 07:12:44 PM »

Quote from: 280plus on April 04, 2007, 11:05:35 AM

Quote

Oh, I'd love those, are they coming any bigger than that ?
It would take 20cl of wodka to last me a 2 hours flight !

I believe they hold a pint, but don't quote me.

I wonder what happens first time a car or truck gets stuck on a crossing. That's gotta be messy...

CROSSING?

You're joking, right?

There aren't any crossings on the high-speed corridors.

Years ago when I was in France we were going from Paris to, IIRC, Amsterdam, but might have been some other city. Long time ago.

We were on a highway paralleling train tracks. One of the guys in the back of the bus saw one of these high speed trains coming and told everyone to watch. It was breath taking how quickly that thing overtook and passed us.

280plus · « **Reply #23 on:** April 05, 2007, 06:49:40 AM »

yes I was joking... cheesy

Angel Eyes · « **Reply #24 on:** April 05, 2007, 08:31:55 AM »

Quote from: wmenorr67 on April 03, 2007, 03:01:09 AM

There is no way to accuratly gauge the speed of it in reverse. It wouldn't be safe.

As I recall, the TGV has a locomotive at each end of the train, so there is no "reverse" as such.

-Jack

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Author Topic: French train breaks speed record... (Read 2119 times)

Warren