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This page contains information and charts about the TGV system and areas served by TGV trains (including Thalys and Eurostar). You can skip directly to:

1. Maps and Schematics

1.1 High Speed Lines. This is a geographic map of France showing all the lines used by TGV trains. The solid colored segments are dedicated LGV (Ligne à Grande Vitesse, or high speed lines) in service today. The dotted colored lines are high speed lines that have been financed or are under construction as of 1999. The black lines are standard tracks, on which TGV trains operate in mixed traffic at speeds ranging between 160 km/h and 220 km/h. Note on this map that only about 25% of the total trackage covered by TGV service is on dedicated high speed lines. Key cities and line opening dates are indicated on the map; the color coding is similar to the maps below. Click for full size

1.2 European TGV Network. This schematic map shows all high speed lines used by TGV trains (including Thalys and Eurostar service). It includes junction names, key kilometer points and high speed line opening dates. The map is not to scale. For detail in the Paris area, see below. Click for full size

1.3 Paris Area Map. This schematic shows the configuration of TGV lines around Paris, as of 1999. It includes junction names, key kilometer points and high speed line opening dates. The map is not to scale. Click for full size

1.4 Travel Times from Paris, 1999. This color contour map of France shows best scheduled travel times from Paris, in hours, as of mid 1999. Black dots represent cities with TGV / Thalys / Eurostar service. Contour colors are valid at these cities only. If necessary, refer to an atlas to identify cities. Click for full size

1.5 Travel Times from Paris, 2001. This color contour map of France shows best scheduled travel times from Paris, in hours, as of June 2001 with the LGV Méditerranée opened. Black dots represent cities with TGV / Thalys / Eurostar service. Contour colors are valid at these cities only. If necessary, refer to an atlas to identify cities. Click for full size

1.6 LGV PSE Profile. This is a Paris-Lyon profile comparison between the old PLM line and the new LGV PSE high speed line. The dramatic grades made possible by high speeds make the line shorter and straighter and also make tunnels unnecessary. Click for full size

1.7 1989-1990 Record Runs. This map shows a detail of the LGV Atlantique, where the speed record test runs were carried out from late 1989 to mid-1990. Click for full size

2. Facts and Figures

Below are some key figures on each of the high speed lines. Any future construction is never assured until ground is actually broken. In the current cost-cutting political environment, the planned lines are subject to a slowdown in heavy government investment. SNCF's "schema directeur" which once called for over a dozen new TGV projects around France has been considerably reduced.

2.1 Existing Ligne à Grande Vitesse (LGV). This category includes purpose-built high speed lines in France and neighboring countries that have TGV service from France. High speed lines outside of France but without TGV service are not included.

2.2 Planned French LGVs. This category includes purpose-built high speed lines to be built within France. As of 1999 none of these lines are yet under construction.

2.3 Planned International Links (with TGV service from France). This category includes purpose-built high speed lines to be built outside of France. As of 1999 none of these lines are yet under construction.

2.1 Existing LGVs

This category includes purpose-built high speed lines in France and neighboring countries that have TGV service from France. High speed lines outside of France but without TGV service are not included.

2.1.1 LGV PSE (Paris Sud-Est)

  • Construction Begun: 1975
  • Designation During Construction: LN1 (Ligne Nouvelle 1)
  • Length: 538 km
  • Service Start Date:
    1. St. Florentin - Lyon Sathonay: September 1981
      (orange on the maps)
    2. Combs-la-Ville (Paris) - St. Florentin: September 1983
      (light blue on the maps)
  • Passenger Revenue: $984M, year 1991
  • Operations and Maintenance: $390M, year 1991
  • Depreciation Costs:
    1. Rolling stock: $114M
    2. Infrastructure: $98M
  • Net Profit: $382M, year 1991
  • Operating cost per passenger-mile: 5.6 cents, year 1991
  • Max Gradient: 35 in 1000
  • Operating Speed: 270 km/h

2.1.2 LGV AT (Atlantique)

  • Construction Begun: 1985
  • Designation During Construction: LN2 (Ligne Nouvelle 2)
  • Length: 282 km
  • Service Start Date:
    1. Bagneux (Paris) - Connerré Junction (Le Mans): October 1989
      (purple on the maps)
    2. Courtalain Junction - Monts Junction (Tours): October 1990
      (blue on the maps)
  • Passenger Revenue: $715M, year 1991
  • Operations and Maintenance: $314M, year 1991
  • Depreciation Costs:
    1. Rolling stock: $104M
    2. Infrastructure: $104M
  • Net Profit: $157M, year 1991
  • Operating cost per passenger-mile: 7.4 cents, year 1991
  • Max Gradient: 25 in 1000
  • Operating Speed: 300 km/h

2.1.3 LGV NE (Nord-Europe)

  • Construction Begun: 1989
  • Designation During Construction: LN3 (Ligne Nouvelle 3)
  • Length: 333 km
  • Service Start Date:
    1. Paris - Lille: May 1993
      (red on the maps)
    2. Calais - Lille: May 1993
      (red on the maps)
    3. LGV Interconnexion Ile de France (CDG Airport, Eurodisney): May 1995
      (orange on the Paris detail map)
  • Financial Figures: not available.
  • Max Gradient: 25 in 1000
  • Operating Speed: 300 km/h

2.1.4 LGV RA (Rhône-Alpes)

  • Construction Begun: 1990
  • Designation During Construction: LN4 (Ligne Nouvelle 4)
  • Length: 115 km
  • Service Start Date:
    1. Montanay Junction - Satolas: September 1992
      (yellow on the maps)
    2. Satolas - St Marcel-lès-Valence (Valence): July 1994
      (yellow on the maps)
  • Financial Figures: not available
  • Max Gradient: 35 in 1000
  • Operating Speed: 300 km/h

2.1.5 LGV MED (Méditerranée)

  • Construction Begun: 1996
  • Designation During Construction: LN5 (Ligne Nouvelle 5)
  • Length: 251 km
  • Service Start Date: June 2001
    (magenta on the maps)
  • Financial Figures: (estimated)
    1. Infrastructure cost: 22 billion FF, year 1991 (approx. $4.3B)
    2. Rolling stock cost: 2 billion FF, year 1991 (approx. $400M)
  • Max Gradient: 35 in 1000
  • Operating Speed: 300 km/h
  • Official Web Site: www.tgvmediterranee.com with project information and 6000 photos

2.1.6 LGV Belgium, L.1

  • Construction Begun: 1993
  • Belgian Designation: L.1 (Ligne Nouvelle/Nieuw Lijn 1)
  • Length: 84 km (71 in Belgium), Fr´tin to Lembeek
  • Service Start Date: 14 December 1997
    (green on the maps)
  • Financial Figures: not available
  • Max Gradient: 25 in 1000
  • Operating Speed: 300 km/h

2.1.7 LGV Belgium, L.2

  • Construction Begun: 1999
  • Belgian Designation: L.2 (Ligne Nouvelle/Nieuw Lijn 2)
  • Length: 63 km, Leuven - Bierset
  • Service Start Date: 2004?
    (dotted purple on Map 1.1)
  • Financial Figures: not available
  • Max Gradient: 25 in 1000
  • Operating Speed: 300 km/h

2.1.8 HSL Zuid (the Netherlands)

  • Construction Begun: 1999
  • Dutch Designation: HSL Zuid
  • Length: 100 km
  • Service Start Date: 2005?
    (dotted light blue on Map 1.1)
  • Financial Figures: total cost 4.4 billion US 1998 dollars
  • Max Gradient: ??
  • Operating Speed: 300 km/h
  • Special Note: This line is to be built entirely with concrete slab track
  • Official Web Site: HSL Zuid with much more detail

2.1.9 Channel Tunnel Rail Link (United Kingdom)

  • Construction Begun: 1999
  • Length: 109 km
  • Service Start Date:
    1. Channel Tunnel - Fawkham Junction: 2003
      (dotted green on the maps)
    2. Southfleet - St Pancras (London): 2007
      (dotted orange on the maps)
  • Financial Figures: total cost 4.2 billion pounds.
  • Max Gradient: unknown
  • Operating Speed: 290 km/h
  • Official Web Site: www.ctrl.co.uk with much more detail

2.2 Planned French LGVs

This category includes purpose-built high speed lines yet to be built within France. As of 1999 none of these lines are under construction.

2.2.1 LGV Est

  • Length: 450 km LGV, Paris - Strasbourg
  • Status: funding approved, estimated opening 2006
  • Two stage construction: First, Vaires (23 km from Paris) to Vandieres (270 km from Paris), opening 2006 (dotted blue on the maps) and then remainder to Strasbourg, opening date unknown
  • Infrastructure cost: 26 billion FF, year 1992 (approx. $5.1B)
  • Rolling stock cost: 6.5 billion FF, year 1992 (approx. $1.3B, for 80 trainsets)
  • Operating Speed: 300 km/h
  • Web Site: The Lorraine Regional Council has more detail, until www.tgvest.com opens.

2.2.2 LGV Aquitaine

  • Length: 361 km LGV, Tours - Bordeaux
  • Status: under study, planned opening 2006+
  • Infrastructure cost: 19 billion FF, year 1993 (approx. $3.7B)
  • Rolling stock cost: 1 billion FF, year 1993 (approx. $200M)

2.2.3 LGV Rhin - Rhône

  • Length: 425 km LGV or improved track, Lyon - Strasbourg
  • Status: under study, planned opening 2006+
  • Infrastructure cost: 10 billion FF, year 1989 (approx. $2B)
  • Rolling stock cost: 4 billion FF, year 1989 (approx. $800M)

2.3 Planned International Links

This category includes purpose-built high speed lines to be built outside of France. As of 1999 none of these lines are yet under construction.

2.3.2 Perpignan - Barcelona (Spain)

340 km, planned operning 2006?, includes the new Perthus Tunnel under the Pyrenées. 300 km/h operation by TGV, AVE and TALGO trains.

2.3.3 Lyon - Torino (Italy)

251 km, planned opening 2010?, includes a new 50 km tunnel under the Alps. 300 km/h operation by TGV and ETR trains.

Last Update April 2001

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