2007-04-04 - A French train set a new world rail speed record of 574.8 kilometers per hour (356 miles per hour) this week. Among the technologies onboard was a state-of-the-art ABB traction transformer, which is helping trainmakers create a new generation high-speed rail service.
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Editorial services
The new record was set by Alstom, SNCF (Société Nationale des Chemins de fer Français - France's national rail carrier), and RFF (Réseau Ferré de France - the company that owns and manages France's rail network).
The record-breaking run was on the TGV (train à grande vitesse) east line, a 300-kilometer stretch of new high-speed track scheduled to open in June, 2007, which will significantly reduce travel time between Paris and destinations in Germany, Luxemburg and Switzerland.
It will also cut the journey between Paris and Strasbourg on France's eastern border in half, to 2 hours 18 minutes in June, and less than two hours when the line is fully commissioned in 2008. Trains using the TGV east line will operate at speeds of 320 kilometers per hour (km/h), or 20 km/h faster than other TGV trains.
The old world rail speed record is 515.3 km/h (320 mph), set by a TGV train in 1990. The absolute speed record was set by a Japanese magnetic levitation prototype train - Maglev - in 2003, which runs on a special track not compatible with railway lines. It reached 581km/h (361mph).
Alstom has been developing a new generation of very high-speed AGV trains (automotrice à grande vitesse) that over time will succeed the TGV series.
The next generation
The record run on Tuesday, April 3, was designed to test the performance and reliability of new rail and train infrastrucuture and material under extreme conditions, as SNCF upgrades its high-speed TGV trains.
The modified test trainset included two power cars, three TGV double-decker carriages and two AGV motorized bogies (rail chassis with wheels). It develops an output of 19.6 megawatts (more than 25,000 hp) versus 9.3 megawatts (12,500 hp) in a conventional TGV train.
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The record attempt by a modified TGV took
place on a new high-speed track between Paris and Strasbourg.
The innovative AGV traction chain (the equipment which drives the train) located in the middle car and feeding four permanent magnet traction motors mounted onto the adjacent boggies is fitted with an ABB traction transformer which was developed, designed and manufactured by ABB Sécheron Ltd.
AGV trains incorporate fundamental breakthroughs compared to TGV trains. Instead of using separate power cars at either end, AGV traction chain motors are located beneath the floors of passenger carriages, creating lower power levels per wheel for better track adherence and more comfort at higher speeds.
This also means there's room for more passengers aboard AGV carriages, which have targeted speeds of 350 km/h.
A key partner
ABB is a key partner for Alstom in the development of its AGV technology, and provides the traction transformer which is the bulkiest component of the traction chain.
ABB's transformer features reduced size and weight allowing it to be mounted underfloor. It is also a multi-system unit that can operate anywhere in Europe, at any voltage.
The record sets a new ABB benchmark in distributed power technology for very high-speed trains. With its state-of-the-art traction transformers, ABB is a key player in this global high-speed rail market thanks to ABB Sécheron in Geneva (Switzerland), and production facilities in Geneva, Halle (Germany), Vadodara (India) and Datong (China).