French in hot pursuit

[Tsuru]

French set new rail speed record

A French high-speed train (TGV) has smashed the world record for a train on conventional rails by a big margin, reaching 574.8km/h (356mph).

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6521295.stm

[yt]8skXT5NQzCg[/yt]

That's only 6 km/h short of the Japanese fastest maglev. A feat nothing short of amazing, considering the Froggies didn't do it on a billion-dollar experimental track with a purpose-built levitating train, they did it on a normal track which is due to enter active commercial service in a few weeks (Paris-Strasbourg), in a modified version of the same train that I can already travel in from Amsterdam. Hats off to these guys...

Fun fact: South Korea has a high speed line operated with French equipment: Seoul-Busan. On the surface the trains running it look a little different from the original, but the technology is the same except from a wider gauge.

[Greji]

French set new rail speed record
Fun fact: South Korea has a high speed line operated with French equipment: Seoul-Busan. On the surface the trains running it look a little different from the original, but the technology is the same except from a wider gauge.

Didn't the Froggies beat out mighty Nippon on the original China high speed train deal a few years back? I do recall when the Chinese delegation came to Japan for a demonstration of the latest shinkansen technology, JR took them for a ride on one of the new trains and it broke down, stranding them for about a half hour or so! That was classic Murphy's Law.

[Mike Oxlong]

Indeed they did. The Chinese went with the fastest and most reliable set-up, sold by the French. Probably more economical too. Tri-colour triple-play!

[Tsuru]

Really? Haven't heard that before... I always thought the Chinese signed with the Germans and their elevated levitating train, which is already in service in Shanghai as a shuttle service from the city to Pudong airport. Whatd'ya know...

But man, having travelled on it I cannot stop telling you how great this train is... the thing I missed most when I first tried the Shinkansen in Japan was the bar/bistro carriage where you can get anything from a cup of coffee to a decent meal on long trips. Both the French TGV and German ICE systems have them, but in Japan we are stuck with a trolley-dolly. They are generally cute I have to admit, but I think I still prefer the French 2+2 seating with a proper table, the excellent coffee and the meal option over the Japanese airliner configuration. I have a feeling SK and China are doing it the same way. Fuck, here we can get a croque-monsieur, a plate of pasta and a glass of champagne if we wanted to and what do we get in Japan? Ebisu and a packet of fucking crisps. If we want to eat something proper we got to get it on the platform or bring it with us, and even then it's still crap. And then the tray table is too far away from the seat. And we still get stared at. Jesus.

[Takechanpoo]

Fuck, here we can get a croque-monsieur, a plate of pasta and a glass of champagne if we wanted to and what do we get in Japan? Ebisu and a packet of fucking crisps. If we want to eat something proper we got to get it on the platform or bring it with us, and even then it's still crap. And then the tray table is too far away from the seat. And we still get stared at. Jesus.

complaints you saying is like ones of selfish little girl.
enduring with Sapporo beer(or Kan kohi)and cold Ekiben is Japanese style inside train.
simplicity and frugality
if you cant endure something tiny like that or other Chrysanthemum style,
go home as soon as possible with your private geisha.

[Greji]

enduring with Sapporo beer(or Kan kohi)and cold Ekiben is Japanese style inside train.
simplicity and frugality :

Don't ride the train much huh, Tachanpu?

I'm out and back on business on the Shinkansen every weekend and sometimes during the week also and there is nothing simple and frugal about the flower boys and flower girls on the green cars, especially on Sunday nights back to Tokyo.

I recommend you try to pump that sunshine on an overseas blog, where some idiotic wanker might belive you!

[Tsuru]

complaints you saying is like ones of selfish little girl.
enduring with Sapporo beer(or Kan kohi)and cold Ekiben is Japanese style inside train.
simplicity and frugality
if you cant endure something tiny like that or other Chrysanthemum style,
go home as soon as possible with your private geisha.

Endure? I'm not a masochist. That said I hear trains in Nigeria are also very simple and frugal.

And what makes you think I'd actually go through the hassle of moving to a country that offers its common people some of the worst quality of life in the industrialized world? I'm only here for the food, the women and the gadgets. You should come to Europe and learn what "joie de vie" means.

[Buraku]

damn frogs !

[Greji]

damn frogs !

Why? Cause they got good trains? At least they don't have to surrender to anyone in the railroad business!

[Mike Oxlong]

Tsuru, your old friends at Bombardier may get in on the act...I hope the landing gear is ok!

[Tsuru]

Tsuru, your old friends at Bombardier may get in on the act...I hope the landing gear is ok!

I was surprised to find the article had a picture of a German ICE series 3 train next to it, it turns out the Canadians are part of the consortium that builds these trains. Siemens of Germany is ultimately responsible for the electronics, the engines and the final contruction, Alstom of France builds the chassis and the special tilting mechanism and Bombardier only builds the coachwork for the carriages, which they ship to Germany for final assembly.

Nothing wrong with the transportation division of Bombardier, they have built or had at least some part in most of the underground transit systems and express trains in Western Europe. It is something they do surprisingly well ]http://www.fuckedgaijin.com/forums/images/vbimghost/2604614886723b46.jpg[/img]

[GuyJean]

French set new rail speed record

I want a blowjob while driving it..

GJ

[Jack]

I'm out and back on business on the Shinkansen every weekend and sometimes during the week also and there is nothing simple and frugal about the flower boys and flower girls on the green cars, especially on Sunday nights back to Tokyo.

Gboothe, I am interested in what you say here. Can you spell it our for ignorant people like me. I sense that you are in my sphere of interest.

About the Shinkansen, I find it a much smoother ride than the TGV. I can walk around the on it but can't walk on the TGV without holding on to something. While the restaurant car is a noble idea the truth is if you buy anything on the TGV you are gonna spill it on the floor before you get to your seat. Also, check the kind of peole riding the TGV vs. the Shinkansen. The TGV in economy class looks like a cattle car with Bohemians on the floor or Gypsies going back to their village. On the Shinkansen everyone is dressed up, usually quiet, and respectable looking.

[Ol Dirty Gaijin]

On the Shinkansen everyone is dressed up, usually quiet, and respectable looking.

Bullshit. You must only catch them in the morning.
Catch one after 5pm on a weekday sometime.

[Jack]

Bullshit. You must only catch them in the morning.
Catch one after 5pm on a weekday sometime.

Perhaps I don't take it as often as you do but I have taken the Shinkansen a dozen times and my experience has always been the same: pleasant. I avoid the TGV in France as I rather fly than take the TGV. In Japan I'd rather take the Shinkansen than fly on domestic routes. Don't forget, I am comparing the crowds between France and Japan on the intercity fast trains. Despite your objection, I stand by what i said.

[Tsuru]

Gboothe, I am interested in what you say here. Can you spell it our for ignorant people like me. I sense that you are in my sphere of interest.

About the Shinkansen, I find it a much smoother ride than the TGV. I can walk around the on it but can't walk on the TGV without holding on to something. While the restaurant car is a noble idea the truth is if you buy anything on the TGV you are gonna spill it on the floor before you get to your seat. Also, check the kind of peole riding the TGV vs. the Shinkansen. The TGV in economy class looks like a cattle car with Bohemians on the floor or Gypsies going back to their village. On the Shinkansen everyone is dressed up, usually quiet, and respectable looking.

The lack of smoothness is a problem with the older type of carriages (which is still most of those currently in service), but you do still have the option of travelling first class where you will be waited upon. It's not even that expensive when you compare it to the green cars.

I have to agree with ODG about the difference in patrons though... the only real difference is the fact that most Japanese will actually get up and walk out of the cab when they want to make a call, which is a little bit different in Europe, where every one seems to think I'm interested to hear they have finished the marketing seminar an hour late. Even worse is the fact that the day is looming where people can also use their cellphones on aircraft, even on long haul.

Thank god for in-ear headphone plugs.

[Greji]

Gboothe, I am interested in what you say here....I sense that you are in my sphere of interest.

Thank you for the kind offered, but I'm married and both my wife and my girlfriend are extremely jealous. I couldn't possibly work you in to my schedule (I didn't mention the goats did I?).