SNCF TGV Sud-Est

The SNCF TGV Sud-Est or TGV-PSE was a French high speed TGV train built by Alstom and operated by SNCF, the French national railway company. It is a semi-permanently coupled electric multiple unit and was built for operation between Paris and the south-east of France.

SNCF TGV "Sud-Est"
TGV Sud-Est on a service to northern France, wearing the new Carmillon livery
Second class interior
In service1981-December 2019 (1981-December 2019)
ManufacturerGEC-Alsthom
Family nameTGV
Number built111
Number in service0
Number preserved4
Number scrapped107
Formation10 cars (2 power cars, 8 passenger cars)
Fleet numbers01–37, 39–69, 71–87, 89–102, 110–118
Capacity350
Operator(s)SNCF
Depot(s)6
Line(s) served2
Specifications
Train length200 m (656 ft)
WidthMotor car 2.81 m (9 ft 3 in)
Trailer 2.904 m (9 ft 6.3 in)
Maximum speed300 km/h (186 mph)
(originally 260 km/h or 162 mph)
Weight385 t (379 long tons; 424 short tons)
(bi-current)
Power output6,800 kW (9,100 hp) @ 25 kV AC
3,100 kW (4,200 hp) @ 1.5 kV DC
Electric system(s)25 kV 50 Hz AC
1500 V DC
Overhead catenary
Current collection methodPantograph
Braking system(s)Pneumatic and Regenerative
Safety system(s)TVM 300/TVM 430
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge

History
A TGV Sud-Est set in the original orange livery

The TGV Sud-Est fleet was built between 1978 and 1988 and operated the first TGV service from Paris to Lyon in 1981. Formerly there were 107 passenger sets operating, of which nine were tri-current (25 kV 50-60 Hz AC - French lignes à grande vitesse, 1500 V DC - French lignes classiques, 15 kV 16⅔ Hz AC - Switzerland) and the rest bi-current (25 kV 50–60 Hz AC, 1500 V DC). There are also seven bi-current half-sets - TGV La Poste - without seats which carry mail for La Poste between Paris, Lyon and Avignon. These are painted in a distinct yellow livery.

Each set is made up of two power cars and eight carriages (capacity 345 seats), including a powered bogie in each of the carriages adjacent to the power cars. They are 200 m (656 ft) long and 2.904 m (9 ft 6.3 in) wide. They weigh 385 tonnes (379 long tons; 424 short tons) with a power output of 6,450 kW (8,650 hp) under 25 kV.

When the trains were delivered they wore a distinctive orange, grey, and white livery. The last set to wear this livery was repainted in the silver livery similar to the TGV Atlantique sets in 2001. From 2012 trains will be repainted in the new SNCF Carmillon livery. The TGV Sud-Est sets can be easily distinguished from the TGV-Atlantique and TGV-Reseau versions by the break in the roof just above the cabin windows.

Originally the sets were built to run at 270 km/h (168 mph) but most were upgraded to 300 km/h (186 mph) during their mid-life refurbishment in preparation for the opening of the LGV Méditerranée. The few sets which still have a maximum speed of 270 km/h (168 mph) operate on routes which have a comparatively short distance on the lignes à grande vitesse, such as those to Switzerland via Dijon. SNCF did not consider it financially worthwhile to upgrade their speed for a marginal reduction in journey time.

In March 2012, set 951 was taken to London to advertise the Euro Carex project.

In February 2013 the TGV Lyria sets (110 to 118) designed for services to Switzerland, were taken out of service. These were replaced by TGV POS sets.

In December 2019, all TGV Sud-Est sets were retired from service. In early 2020, a farewell service which included TGV01 (nicknamed Patrick), the very first TGV train ever built. This train was painted in all 3 liveries that it used during its service.[1][2]

Usage

The TGV sets were originally used on services between Paris, Lyon, Marseille and other cities in the south-east of France. In 2013 there were still 55 TGV Sud-Est sets used on services to south-eastern France and cross-country services. Since late 2019, these sets were replaced by TGV POS.

Preservation

Four of the TGV Sud-Est cars are preserved

  • No. 53 at Cité du train, Mulhouse.
  • No. 57 at the former La Chapelle depot as part of the "Grand Train" exhibition 40.
  • No. 61 by the Bischheim technicenter and intended for the Cité du train, Mulhouse
  • No. 112 at the Railway Museum in Ambérieu-en-Bugey.
  • TGV Sud-Est at Paris-Gare de Lyon in original orange livery
  • TGV Sud-Est in 1984
  • TGV Sud-Est south of Dijon
  • TGV Sud-Est set 101
  • TGV Sud-Est set 01 in 3 liveries

Fleet details
Class No. in Service Year Built Operator Current Units Notes
Series 23000 0 1978–1985 SNCF 01-37, 39-69, 71-87, 89-102 Bicurrent
No. 38 rebuilt as TGV La Poste
No. 70 scrapped 1988
No. 88 rebuilt for TGV Atlantique testing
No. 101 rebuilt for tilt testing

Retired in December 2019

Series 33000 0 110-118 Tricurrent

See also
  • List of high speed trains

References
  1. "[SNCF] Farewell tour for Patrick, the first TGV train". Eng News 24h. 2020-02-07. Retrieved 2020-03-18.
  2. "Goodbye "Patrick", the oldest TGV in France". www.tellerreport.com. Retrieved 2020-03-18.
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