ETR-558B_1.jpg (50393 bytes)

ETR-500P.2 set (558B), seen in the southern outskirts of Lille, bound for the SNCF Workshops in Hellemmes, where it was due for clearance to run a new series of trials on French rails. This set had been headed with 426151 since Modane. Lille (Porte de Douai). 10th November 2003. Photo by Nicolas Deldycke (nicos67598@hotmail.com) (Acknowledgements). Posting and comment by P.L.Guillemin (plguillemin@yahoo.fr)

ETR-558B_2.jpg (45122 bytes)

ETR-500P.2 set (558B), seen entering the SNCF Workshops in Hellemmes, crossing the Lille-Tournai line. Hellemmes. 10th November 2003. Photo by Nicolas Deldycke (nicos67598@hotmail.com) (Acknowledgements). Posting and comment by P.L.Guillemin (plguillemin@yahoo.fr)

ETR-558B_3.jpg (37787 bytes)

ETR-500P.2 set (558B), seen entering the SNCF Workshops in Hellemmes, crossing the Lille-Tournai line. This set had been running as a vehicle since Modane, headed by 426151 of SNCF-Fret. Once at Hellemmes, it would be fitted with TVM-430 and cleared to run trials on its own on French rails. Hellemmes. 10th November 2003. Photo by Nicolas Deldycke (nicos67598@hotmail.com) (Acknowledgements). Posting and comment by P.L.Guillemin (plguillemin@yahoo.fr)

ETR-558B_4.jpg (68679 bytes)

ETR-500P.2 set (558B), seen shortly after arriving at the SNCF Workshops in Hellemmes. As a hauled vehicle still deprived of French clearance, this set had been running since Modane with SNCF rear lights... Hellemmes. 10th November 2003. Photo by Nicolas Deldycke (nicos67598@hotmail.com) (Acknowledgements). Posting and comment by P.L.Guillemin (plguillemin@yahoo.fr)

ETR-558B_5.jpg (39809 bytes)

ETR-500P.2 set (558B), seen on trials at the Hondeghem Loops, on the Lille-Calais HSL. This HSL has become a privileged place to test various high-speed trains: ICE-3M, KTX, TGV POS, Tilting TGV (P-01), Tilting RTGs (Axis) and Regional Eurostars of GNER. Hondeghem. 18th November 2003. Photo by Nicolas Deldycke (nicos67598@hotmail.com) (Acknowledgements). Posting and comment by P.L.Guillemin (plguillemin@yahoo.fr)

ETR-558B_6.jpg (37633 bytes)

ETR-500P.2 set (558B), seen entering Calais-Fréthun TGV Parkway station, on a (high-speed) trial run from Lille. Calais-Fréthun. 18th November 2003. Photo by Nicolas Deldycke (nicos67598@hotmail.com) (Acknowledgements). Posting and comment by P.L.Guillemin (plguillemin@yahoo.fr)

ETR-558B_7.jpg (48277 bytes)

ETR-500P.2 set (558B), seen entering Calais-Fréthun TGV Parkway station, on a (high-speed) trial run from Lille. Calais-Fréthun. 18th November 2003. Photo by Nicolas Deldycke (nicos67598@hotmail.com) (Acknowledgements). Posting and comment by P.L.Guillemin (plguillemin@yahoo.fr)

ETR-558B_8.jpg (45203 bytes)

ETR-500P.2 set (558B), seen at Calais-Fréthun TGV Parkway station, shortly after completing a (high-speed) trial run from Lille. While this TGV Pkw station actually generates little revenue traffic, it has already accommodated a great deal of high-speed trains on trials: KTX, Tilting TGV (P-01), Tilting RTGs (Axis), AGV (Elisa), GNER Regional Eurostars, ICE-3M and TGV POS... Interestingly, the "Eurostar Italia" labelling has not been blanked out, whereas some cross-Chunnel Eurostar services actually call here... Calais-Fréthun. 18th November 2003. Photo by Nicolas Deldycke (nicos67598@hotmail.com) (Acknowledgements). Posting and comment by P.L.Guillemin (plguillemin@yahoo.fr)

ETR-558B_9.jpg (72326 bytes)

ETR-500P.2 set (558B), seen shortly after arriving at the SNCF Workshops in Hellemmes. In order to run under French catenary, Italian dual-leg pantographs had already been replaced with Cx25 pantographs, identical to those of TGV Duplex, POS, Thalys PBKA sets and to those of the 6 Tri-voltage TGV R sets cleared for Italy. The 3 ETR-460s cleared for France also feature such pantographs. Hellemmes. November 2003. Photo by Nicolas Deldycke (nicos67598@hotmail.com) (Acknowledgements). Posting and comment by P.L.Guillemin (plguillemin@yahoo.fr)

ETR-558B_a10.jpg (25825 bytes)

ETR-500P.2 set (558B), seen at Calais-Fréthun, shortly after completing a trial run from Lille. The (25kV AC) Cx25 pantograph was up. Calais-Fréthun. 18th November 2003. Photo by Nicolas Deldycke (nicos67598@hotmail.com) (Acknowledgements). Posting and comment by P.L.Guillemin (plguillemin@yahoo.fr)

ETR-558B_a11.jpg (41601 bytes)

ETR-500P.2 set (558B), seen at Calais-Fréthun, upon arrival from Lille. The Cx25 pantograph and the TVM side-sign doubtless give some French flavour to Italy's flagship train :-)) Calais-Fréthun. 18th November 2003. Photo by Nicolas Deldycke (nicos67598@hotmail.com) (Acknowledgements). Posting and comment by P.L.Guillemin (plguillemin@yahoo.fr)

TourcoingESTitalie.jpg (148419 bytes)

Tourcoing (France). An Italian Eurostar train at a shunting yard near the Belgian border. 26.03.2005 Photo by Thomas van Berkel