SNCF TGV Atlantique

The TGV Atlantique (TGV-A) is a class of high-speed trains used in France by SNCF; they were built by Alstom between 1988 and 1992, and were the second generation of TGV trains, following on from the TGV Sud-Est.

SNCF TGV "Atlantique"
TGV-A set 342 at Paris Montparnasse
In service	1989–
Manufacturer	GEC-Alsthom
Family name	TGV
Refurbished	2005–2010
Number built	105 trainsets
Number scrapped	77 trainsets
Formation	12 cars (2 power cars, 10 passenger cars)
Capacity	485, 459 (After refurbishment)
Operator(s)	SNCF
Specifications
Train length	237.5 m (779 ft 2 in)
Width	Motor car 2.81 m (9 ft 3 in) Trailer 2.904 m (9 ft 6.3 in)
Maximum speed	320 km/h (200 mph)
Weight	444 t (437 long tons; 489 short tons) (empty)
Power output	10,400 kW (13,947 hp) Max, 8,800 kW (11,801 hp) Cont. @ 25 kV AC 3,880 kW (5,203 hp) @ 1.5 kV DC
Electric system(s)	25 kV 50 Hz AC 1500 V DC Overhead catenary
Current collector(s)	Pantograph
UIC classification	Bo′Bo′+2′+2′+2′+2′+2′+2′+2′+2′+2′+2′+2′+Bo′Bo′
Safety system(s)	TVM-430, KVB
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge

105 bi-current sets, numbered 301-405, were built for the opening of the LGV Atlantique. Entry into service began in 1989. They are 237.5 m (779 ft) long and 2.904 m (9 ft 6.3 in) wide. They weigh 444 t (437 long tons; 489 short tons), and are made up of two power cars and ten carriages with a total of 485 seats. They were built for a maximum speed of 300 km/h (190 mph) with 8,800 kW (11,801 hp) total power under 25 kV.

From 2015 onwards, many of these units have been scrapped with only 28 still in service in 2022. Most of the remaining fleet have been refurbished and mainly see service on slower trains between Paris and Bordeaux that use only a portion of the LGV Atlantique and LGV Sud Europe Atlantique. Fast through services on the route are now operated by the higher capacity TGV "Océane".

Modified unit 325 set the world speed record in 1990 on the new LGV before its opening. Modifications, such as improved aerodynamics, larger wheels and improved braking were made to enable test run speeds of over 500 km/h (311 mph). The set was reduced to two power cars and three carriages to improve the power-to-weight ratio, weighing 250 t (246 long tons; 276 short tons). The TGV Atlantique's world record was beaten on the 3 April 2007, by a TGV POS set on the LGV Est, which reached a top speed of 574.8 km/h (357.2 mph).