The TGV

By Colin Naehr

Date Built and Age The prototypes started testing in

1978

It entered service in 1981

In 33rd year of service

Designing the Train Designed by Jack Cooper

He designed it to be comfortable on the inside while traveling fast.

It was a major change for train style

Why it Was Built Made to get around France quickly

Cars and planes weren’t efficient, so a new system of transportation was needed

Build to modernize the old French train system

Important Facts Highest allowed speed is 186 mph

It is capable of speeds above 300 mph

Features in train signaling for safety

More Facts Powered from the front and rear

“Train à Grande Vitesse” translates to high speed train

It uses computerized controls

Location The train is based in French cities

Features international services to Switzerland, Belgium, Germany, and the United Kingdom

LGV Sud-Est is one of the rails

Style Build Aerodynamically and sleek

Inside is a rectangular shape

It has comfortable seats with a table

What is it Famous For Famous for being the first bullet train

It is recognized for it’s service all over France

It revolutionized fast trains

Bibliography Chant, Christopher. Famous Trains of the 21st Century. Broomall:

Chelsea, 2000. Print.  "Early TGV History." Train Web. N.p., Nov. 2000. Web. 16 May 2013.

<http://www.trainweb.org/tgvpages/history.html>.

"France." SIRS Discover. N.p., 1 Aug. 2011. Web. 16 May 2013. <http://discoverer.prod.sirs.com/discoweb/disco/do/article?urn=urn%3Asirs%3AUS%3BARTICLE%3BART%3B0000321922>.

"Railroad." SIRS Discover. N.p., 1 Aug. 2011. Web. 16 May 2013. <http://discoverer.prod.sirs.com/discoweb/disco/do/article?urn=urn%3Asirs%3AUS%3BARTICLE%3BART%3B0000324156>.

"Ten Terrific Train Facts." SIRS Discover. N.p., Feb. 2001. Web. 16 May 2013. <http://discoverer.prod.sirs.com/discoweb/disco/do/article?urn=urn%3Asirs%3AUS%3BARTICLE%3BART%3B0000130889>.