TGV Atlantique

SNCF TGV "Atlantique"
TGV-A set 342 at Paris Montparnasse
In service	1989 -
Manufacturer	GEC-Alsthom
Family name	TGV
Refurbishment	2005 - 2009
Number built	105 trainsets
Formation	12 cars (2 power cars, 10 passenger cars)
Capacity	485, 459(After refurbished)
Operator(s)	SNCF
Specifications
Train length	237.5 m (779 ft 2 in)
Car length	(?)
Width	Motor car 2.81 m (9 ft 3 in) Trailer 2.904 m (9 ft 6.3 in)
Maximum speed	300 km/h (186 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 3,380 kW (4,533 hp) @ 1.5 kV DC
Electric system(s)	25 kV 50 Hz AC 1500 V DC Overhead catenary
Current collection method	Pantograph
UIC classification	Bo'Bo'+2'+2'+2'+2'+2'+2'+2'+2'+2'+2'+2'+Bo'Bo'
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge

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.

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 (186 mph) with 8,800 kW (11,801 hp) total power under 25 kV.

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). Three carriages, including the bar carriage in the centre, is the minimum possible configuration because of the way the sets are articulated.

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).