AGV prototype going under tests. Bellevue site in La Rochelle
Getting Up to Speed
Commission for The New York Times Magazine (USA)
Story by Jon Gertner
One of the most sophisticated trains in the world right now is the AGV (the letters stand for Automotrice à Grande Vitesse), which is designed and built by Alstom in France. The train was introduced at the beginning of 2008 as the successor to the TGV (Train à Grande Vitesse).
There is a single prototype at the moment, and it resides on a fenced-in railway siding in La Rochelle. With the AGV, Alstom is trying to increase the train speed so that it could do 1,000 kilometers (about 620 miles) in three hours.
Frame assembly of the AGV train. Aytré site in La Rochelle where the AGV is built
Aytré site in La Rochelle where the AGV is built
The « cockpit » of the AGV prototype going under tests
Frame assembly of the AGV train. Aytré site in La Rochelle where the AGV is built
Aytré site in La Rochelle where the AGV is built