1. GV ZOOM IN TO Clock tower at Gare de Lyons in Paris. 0.05
2. SV T.G.V. signs at station. (2 SHOTS) 0.14
3. LV Press and spectators in front of train. 0.19
4. SV Passengers getting into train. (3 SHOTS) 0.35
5. GV & SV Train leaving station. (3 SHOTS) 1.27
Initials


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Background: PARIS, FRANCE

INTRODUCTION: The fastest train in the world, the TGV, began commercial operations in France on Sunday (27 September). The TGV covers the distance between Paris and the industrial city of Lyons in the South at an average speed of more than one hundred and sixty kilometres an hour (100 mph)
SYNOPSIS: The first train left from the Gare de Lyons in Paris at seven-fifteen on Sunday (27 September) morning. During peak periods one train, carrying more people than a Jumbo jet, will leave every five minutes.

In tests, the TGV has gone up to almost 400 kilometres an hour but in service its top speed will be 260. Because the train travels so fast and takes three kilometres to stop, visual signals can't be used and an electronic signal passing through the track tells the driver what's happening ahead.

Even the tracks have to be wider apart than usual to lessen the shockwave of two trains passing head-on with a combined speed of more than 500 kilometres an hour. The French Railways believe that trains are a vital part of the country's future transport and their faith is backed-up by the government. That faith is borne out by the money being poured into the system which will eventually provide high-speed trains all over the country. The development of the TGV cost one thousand million dollars (US) and the extension of high speed tracks will cost six thousand million. As the railway's chief spokesman says, trains are in essential factor in transportation and with these high speed ones, the problems of distance have been replaced by time.

Source: REUTERS - TRAN HUU TRONG