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| French set new rail speed record | French set new rail speed record |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| A French high-speed train (TGV) has smashed the world record for a train on rails by a big margin, reaching 574.8km/h (356mph). | |
| The previous TGV record was 515km/h (320mph), set in 1990. | The previous TGV record was 515km/h (320mph), set in 1990. |
| The record attempt was staged on a stretch of track between Paris and the eastern city of Strasbourg. | |
| The absolute train speed record was set by a Japanese magnetic levitation train - Maglev - in 2003. It reached 581km/h (361mph). | The absolute train speed record was set by a Japanese magnetic levitation train - Maglev - in 2003. It reached 581km/h (361mph). |
| The test began after 1100GMT on Tuesday. | The test began after 1100GMT on Tuesday. |
| V150 TRAIN Two enginesThree double-decker carsThree motorised bogiesPower output: more than 25,000 horsepowerCost: 30m euros (£22m; $40m) | |
| The modified TGV has larger wheels than usual and the two engines were driving three double-decker cars. | |
| SNCF and the train's makers Alstom say the record attempt represents a test on the infrastructure in extreme conditions, which is impossible to carry out in the laboratory. | SNCF and the train's makers Alstom say the record attempt represents a test on the infrastructure in extreme conditions, which is impossible to carry out in the laboratory. |
| Alstom also aims to boost TGV sales abroad, where it is competing with the Japanese Shinkansen and the German Inter-City Express high-speed trains. | Alstom also aims to boost TGV sales abroad, where it is competing with the Japanese Shinkansen and the German Inter-City Express high-speed trains. |
| China, South Korea and Taiwan are the most important customers for high-speed trains. | China, South Korea and Taiwan are the most important customers for high-speed trains. |