Almost 40 years to the day since the first TGV rolled into service from Paris' Gare de Lyon, the new generation of France's iconic high-speed train was unveiled by President Emmanuel Macron at the same station on Friday. Its fortieth anniversary and the arrival of the TGV M come as the race to produce the best high-speed railway heats up around the world.
The first engine of the new train, which will not officially enter service until in time for the Paris Olympic Games, was first presented at a press conference on May 26 at the Belfort factory in eastern France. Compared to the previous versions, the stylistic evolution is obvious. The front of the train has a reptilian profile somewhat reminiscent of the Japanese Shinkansen.
The inspiration for the new design is undoubtedly also of an entomological nature, as evidenced by the black headlights and the large glass surface of the cabin, reminiscent of a hornet or a wasp, except that the yellow of the insect is replaced by an immaculate white.
But aesthetic considerations were probably not the main reason. According to its manufacturer Alstom, the sharp aerodynamics of the new TGV enables it to "consume 20 per cent less energy and reduce its CO2 emissions by 32 per cent".
Unlike previous incarnations of the TGV, It will be possible to adjust the size of the trains according to requirements by adding or removing cars as needed. The same applies to the interior of the cars, where the spaces can be quickly reconfigured. On board the train You board the train through a wide sliding external door into a small hall at one end of the lower deck. Upper or lower deck?
When reserving, you can usually choose a seat on either upper or lower decks if you buy online at www. If you have major problems climbing stairs the lower deck might be best, but for anyone else the top deck is strongly recommended for the best views of the scenery, as you'll be able to see over the top of the occasional sound barrier along the high speed lines. For couples, an upper deck first class table for two shown variously as Club duo or Dual face to face is as good as it gets.
Seat numbering plan: TGV Duplex seating plan. Select any fare, click the Seating link and click the drop down box that says No preference. If the options include upstairs and downstairs , it's a Duplex! There are power sockets at all 1st class seats, but usually not in 2nd class on these first-generation trains.
The first-generation trains are not equipped to run on international routes. Cafe-bar , upper deck in car 4. TGV Duplex at Frankfurt. A TGV Duplex. The 1 near the door indicates 1st class, 2 indicates 2nd class. The stairs from entrance hall to upper deck. Just 9 wide shallow steps with double handrails. Not usually any problem! Power sockets : All 1st class seats have power sockets, 2-pin v. Luggage racks. You take your bags on board with you and place them on the racks.
There are racks both upstairs and downstairs, both at the car ends and as here between the seats, which I personally prefer. All seats in both classes have power sockets, 1st class seats also have USB ports, and there's free WiFi. A major innovation is that 1st class seats rotate to face direction of travel, or to create a face-to-face bay of 2 or 4 seats. To rotate the seats, press the small pedal on the aisle side of the seat plinth, under the seat.
The seats at the very end of each car may not rotate. The drop-down tables open to reveal USB and 2-pin power sockets. Video guide: TGV Duplex Prices are from Autumn He had come as guest of his friend Mr Fiterman , Communist minister of transport. Both men could ignore the socialist demonstration, in the happy knowledge that most railwaymen belong to the communist CGT. In fact the TGV is tolerably democratic — with fares the same as old-fashioned trains, except at peak hours.
There is a first-class, but second-class is more comfortable than a jet liner, with the same hostesses wheeling food and drink on trolleys. The electronic information fed to his computer practically drive the train without his help.
You can start making reservations up to 3 months in advance. Facilities and services. Operated by:. TGV high-speed train, France. En voyage France. TGV at train station of Spanish border station Figueres. Interior TGV high-speed train 1st class, France. Related Pages.
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