THE FRENCH RAILWAY SPEED RECORD

As part of a study of the technical and economic aspects of high-speed operation, the SNCF conducted four days of trial runs at progressively higher speeds. The purpose of the tests was to investigate the margin of safety allowed by the speeds now regularly scheduled with normal types of locomotives and rolling stock. They were also regarded as a contribution to research into methods of improving the productivity of transport and reducing its cost, by showing how the building of vehicles able to run at ever-increasing maximum speeds can reduce maintenance expenditure on locomotives and track when operating at the speeds now normally scheduled. The test train consisted of three coaches of a recent design. Continuous records were made on all the runs by means of piezo-electric apparatus of the lateral forces exerted on the track by the first and third axles of the locomotive bogies. It was found that these did not exceed 4.2 tons.

• Corporate Authors:

  Temple Press Limited

  161-166 Fleet Street
  Longon EC4,   England 
• Publication Date: 1954-3-26

Media Info

• Features: Figures;
• Pagination: p. 352
• Serial:
  • RAILWAY GAZETTE
  • Volume: 100

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Dynamic loads; Economics; Electric locomotives; High speed rail; Locomotives; Motors; Railroad tracks; Safety; Technology; Velocity
• Uncontrolled Terms: Lateral dynamics
• Geographic Terms: France
• Subject Areas: Economics; Railroads; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00039569
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 8 1994 12:00AM