SNCF TGV La Poste
Template:Short description Template:Infobox train
The TGV La Poste were dedicated trainsets for high-speed freight and mail transportation by French railway company SNCF on behalf of the French postal carrier La Poste. The top speed of this TGV Sud-Est derivate was Template:Convert, making them the fastest freight trains in the world. Script error: No such module "Unsubst". They were withdrawn in 2015.[1]
Services
The trainsets were built by Alstom between 1978 and 1986. These TGV units are essentially TGV Sud-Est trainsets that are modified for transporting mail. 5 half-trainsets were built, numbered 1–5. A further two, numbered 6 and 7, were converted from former TGV-SE trainset no. 38. Each half-trainset consisted of a power car and four intermediate-trailers.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
In 2009, La Poste reduced services from 8 to 6 daily round trips.[2]
On 21 March 2012 a demonstration freight train ran to London-St Pancras,[3] but there was no follow-up.
In mid-2015, La Poste ended TGV postal services, shifting mail services to swap bodies instead as part of a major logistics restructuring and expansion which the trainsets were not capable of handling.[1][4] Additionally, the demand for fast overnight mail services has been decreasing in recent years. The final service was on 27 June 2015 between Cavaillon (Marseille) and Charolais (Paris).[1] La Poste originally was seeking a buyer for the fleet,[1] however in December 2016 three trainsets were dismantled by SME (Société Métallurgique d'Épernay)[5] leaving only a half spare trainset left.
Fleet details
| Class | Number in service | Year built | Operator | Current units | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Series 923000 | 2.5 (5 half-sets) | 1981 | La Poste | P1-P5 | |
| 1 (2 half-sets) | 1984 | P6-P7 | Rebuilt from SNCF TGV Sud-Est passenger trainset no. 38 |
See also
- British Rail Class 325, Template:Convert postal EMUs used in Britain
- FS Class ETR 500, in freight operation since October, 2018. Maximum speed is Template:Convert, average speed is Template:Convert.
References
Further reading
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