SNCF TGV La Poste

TGV La Poste

TGV Sud-Est Postal - Bif de Chevry-Cossigny

TGV postal near Chevry-Cossigny.
In service 1984-2015
Manufacturer GEC-Alsthom
Family name TGV
Number built 2,5 (new) + 1(converted from SNCF TGV Sud-Est trainset no. 38)
Number preserved 3 + ½ spare set; La Poste is seeking a buyer for the fleet[1]
Formation 10 cars (2 power cars, 8 postal cars)
Operator(s) 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

The SNCF TGV La Poste (TGV-Postes) trains were built by Alstom between 1978–1986. These TGV units are essentially TGV Sud-Est trainsets that are modified for transporting mail for the French postal carrier La Poste. The top speed is 270 km/h (168 mph), making them the fastest freight trains in the world.

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 consists of a power car and four intermediate-trailers.

Services

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 International,[3] but there was no follow-up.

In mid-2015, La Poste ended TGV postal services, shifting mail services to swap bodies instead.[4] The final service was on 27 June 2015 between Cavaillon (Marseilles) and Charolais (Paris).[1]

In December 2016, La Poste dismantled 3 trainsets. The company SME (Société Métallurgique d'Épernay) was in charge of this operation.[5]

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 PSE set

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Barrow, Keith (29 June 2015). "Last post for French high-speed freight as postal TGVs bow out". International Railway Journal. Retrieved 23 July 2015.
  2. ↑ "TGV: La Poste supprime un quart des TGV postaux" [Service reduction for the TGV postal train]. Passion - Trains (in French). 24 April 2009.
  3. ↑ "Demonstration high speed freight train links Lyon and London". Railway Gazette International. 21 March 2012.
  4. ↑ "Swap bodies to carry mail by rail". Railway Gazette International. Retrieved 3 July 2014.
  5. ↑ Rapport de présentation 'Prestations de démantèlement de rames Tgv postal'. G Chan Liat (in French). 3 September 2016

Further reading


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