Wikipedia:Today's featured article/January 15, 2006



The TGV is France's train &agrave; grande vitesse; literally "high-speed train". Developed by Alsthom (now Alstom) and SNCF and operated primarily by SNCF, it connects cities in France and in some other neighbouring countries, such as Belgium, Italy and Switzerland with the network centred on Paris. TGVs under other brand names connect France with Germany and the Netherlands (Thalys) and the United Kingdom (Eurostar). Trains derived from TGV design also operate in South Korea (KTX), and Spain (AVE). Development of high-speed rail transport in France began in the 1960s. After a lengthy period of testing which included changing the traction of the trains from gas turbines to electricity from overhead lines after a sharp rise in oil prices, TGV operation began in 1981 with an initial line between Paris and Lyon. The success of the line led to rapid expansion and the opening of lines to the west and north-east of France as well as further extension to the south. (more...)

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