A French Train a Grande Vitesse (TGV) gave new meaning to the phrase 'très rapidement' Tuesday as it broke a world record, barreling down a newly-built track at 574.8 kilometres per hour.
Journalists and other special guests were aboard the V150, a suped-up version of trains that will run from Paris to Strasbourg beginning 10 June.
Passengers said vibrations became more noticeable around 380 kph, some people got dizzy at 490 kph, and by 540 kph it was difficult to remain standing.
The driver, however, wore a big smile as he approached the top speed, somewhere near Metz in the east of France.
'We had no worries - no birds, good weather, none of the troubles we had during the tests,' said driver Eric Pieczak.
The V150 did not technically become the fastest train. That record goes to a Japanses 'maglev' train. But in terms of rail-touching-wheel, Tuesday's run broke the previous top speed of 515.3 kph, also set in France in 1990.
'LA FIERTÉ' OF FRANCE
'This record is a magnificent demonstration of France's great abilities in research and development and is further proof of the excellence of the French rail industry,' President Jacques Chirac said in a statement.
The achievement is considered to be a morale-booster for a nation that prides itself on its technological know-how but is grappling with high unemployment and a trade deficit.
Engineering firm Alstom, state rail group SNCF and track operator RFF teamed up to show off French engineering in the hopes of boosting export prospects in markets like South America, the Middle East and the United States.
Apart from France's TGV and Japan's Shinkansen, high-speed trains are made by Germany's Siemens and Canada's Bombardier.
High-speed trains could be the answer to low-cost airlines. Since TGV started in 1981, several French regional airlines have gone out of business
Philippe Mellier, the head of Alstom's transport division, said the commercial speed of TGV trains could reach 350-360 kph in the next five to six years. The latest TGVs run at 320 kph.
