SNCF TGV La Poste
The TGV La Poste were dedicated trainsets for high-speed freight and mail transportation by French railway company SNCF on behalf of the French postal carrier La Poste. The top speed of this TGV Sud-Est derivate was 270 km/h (168 mph), making them the fastest freight trains in the world. They were withdrawn in 2015.[1]
| TGV La Poste | |
|---|---|
 TGV La Poste trainset | |
| In service | 1984-2015 |
| Manufacturer | GEC-Alsthom |
| Family name | TGV |
| Number built | 2 1⁄2 (new) + 1 (converted) |
| Number preserved | 3 + 1⁄2 spare set |
| Formation | 10 cars (2 power cars, 8 postal cars) |
| Operator(s) | SNCF for La Poste |
| Specifications | |
| Train length | 200 m |
| Width | 2.904 m (9 ft 6.3 in) |
| Maximum speed | 270 km/h (168 mph) |
| Power output | 6,800 kW (9,100 hp) @ 25 kV |
| Electric system(s) | 25 kV AC 1500 V DC Catenary |
| Current collection method | Pantograph |
| Safety system(s) | TVM 300/TVM 430 |
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge |
Services
The trainsets were built by Alstom between 1978–1986. These TGV units are essentially TGV Sud-Est trainsets that are modified for transporting mail. 5 half-trainsets were built, numbered 1-5. A further two, numbered 6 and 7, were converted from former TGV-SE trainset no. 38. Each half-trainset consisted of a power car and four intermediate-trailers.
In 2009, La Poste reduced services from 8 to 6 daily round trips.[2]
On 21 March 2012 a demonstration freight train ran to London-St Pancras,[3] but there was no follow-up.
In mid-2015, La Poste ended TGV postal services, shifting mail services to swap bodies instead as part of a major logistics restructuring and expansion which the trainsets were not capable of handling.[4][1] Additionally, the demand for fast overnight mail services has been decreasing in recent years. The final service was on 27 June 2015 between Cavaillon (Marseilles) and Charolais (Paris).[4] La Poste originally was seeking a buyer for the fleet,[4] however in December 2016 three trainsets were dismantled by SME (Société Métallurgique d'Épernay)[5] leaving only a half spare trainset left.
Fleet details
| Class | Number in service | Year built | Operator | Current units | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Series 923000 | 2.5 (5 half-sets) | 1981 | La Poste | P1-P5 | |
| 1 (2 half-sets) | 1984 | P6-P7 | Rebuilt from SNCF TGV Sud-Est passenger trainset no. 38 |
See also
- British Rail Class 325, 161 km/h (100 mph) postal EMUs used in Britain
- ETR 500, in freight operation since October, 2018. Maximum speed is 300 km/h, average speed is 180 km/h.
References
- "Swap bodies to carry mail by rail". Railway Gazette International. Retrieved 3 July 2014.
- "TGV: La Poste supprime un quart des TGV postaux" [Service reduction for the TGV postal train]. Passion - Trains (in French). 24 April 2009.
- "Demonstration high speed freight train links Lyon and London". Railway Gazette International. 21 March 2012.
- Barrow, Keith (29 June 2015). "Last post for French high-speed freight as postal TGVs bow out". International Railway Journal. Retrieved 23 July 2015.
- Rapport de présentation 'Prestations de démantèlement de rames Tgv postal'. G Chan Liat (in French). 3 September 2016
Further reading