description SNCF TGV PSE Overview
The SNCF TGV PSE is a pioneering French high-speed electric locomotive used on the first generation TGV trains. Notable for its advanced design and role in establishing France’s high-speed rail network, it served as a crucial prototype and operational unit. It's primarily utilized by railway historians, museum collections, and those studying early French high-speed train development.
help SNCF TGV PSE FAQ
What does PSE stand for in the SNCF TGV PSE?
PSE stands for Paris-Sud-Est, referring to the specific high-speed rail line these inaugural TGV trainsets were designed to serve. They began commercial service in 1981, significantly reducing travel times between Paris and Lyon.
What was the top speed of the original TGV PSE?
The TGV PSE was designed for commercial service operating at 260 km/h (162 mph) when it debuted on the Paris-Lyon route. During pre-service testing in 1972, a prototype version famously set a world speed record of 318 km/h (198 mph).
Are any TGV PSE trainsets still in regular operation?
SNCF retired most of the original TGV PSE trainsets from high-speed lines after decades of service, though a handful were modified to operate on standard regional lines at lower voltages. Many of these iconic orange and gray trains have since been scrapped or preserved in railway museums.
How many TGV PSE trainsets were originally built for SNCF?
A total of 107 TGV PSE trainsets were originally built for the French national railway by Alstom between 1978 and 1988. They were the very first generation of the TGV family, paving the way for later models like the TGV Atlantique.
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