The Trans Polar Railways TGX is the fastest train-set used by the company, (Trans Polar Rail is a ficticious
passenger company operating in Scandinavia and Russia), made up of two identical halves, seperated by a
power car. Though the nose is shared with the ICx, the TGX is a unique HST
Phase 3 model TGX, TGX 201, is seen here in the livery of the Trans Polar Railways Northern Lights Express,
which now runs between Tromso in Norway, to Berlin, Germany, running via Copenhagen in Denmark. The main feature
of the TGX, is its mono-axle running gear similar to the Spanish Talgo sets, making for a clean, aerodynamic high
speed train, The wheels of the TGX are a developmeng from the IC-E that DB operate, utilising a steel core, with a
steel outer rim, with a rubber cushion between them, this gives a smooth, quiet ride. Performance of the TGX is
similar to the Orbis HST sets, a governed top speed of 380km/h puts the TGX in the premier league of high speed
trains. To aid high speed cornering, the TGX has active tilting, using powerful hydraulic jacks to tilt the
carbodies.
Passengers of the TGX get airline seating with headrest mounted TV screens, whilst the driver gets an all digital
cockpit. like the phase 2 TGX, the power car of the phase 3 TGX has under-floor engine and transmission equipment,
to free up space for extra passengers, also the control cars of the phase 3 TGX get additional engines and transmission
equipment. The use of 3 diesel engines means the phase 3 TGX is not limited in its operating area, so should for any
reason, the type have to be diverted onto non-electrified lines, the phase 3 TGX will not need a tug locomotive. Orbis
Engineering have done a lot to make the TGX as quiet as possible, both inside and out. passengers sitting in one of
the 3 power cars get a ride that is not a lot louder than those who are sitting in the intermediate coaches, as the engine
note is reduced to a feint background hum.
With this alteration, one of the two restaurant cars has been deleted and the second of the two first class coaches
has been moved to behind the no1 control car, allowing for a more conventional layout.
Mark Wilkes. e-mail megazone23_uk@hotmail.com.