This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/magazine/6524997.stm
The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| What's the point of speed records? | What's the point of speed records? |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| WHO, WHAT, WHY? The Magazine answers... | WHO, WHAT, WHY? The Magazine answers... |
| Two engines powered the TGVA French TGV has smashed the world speed record for a train on conventional rails, hitting 356mph. But it cost a packet and required months of precision track work, so why bother? | Two engines powered the TGVA French TGV has smashed the world speed record for a train on conventional rails, hitting 356mph. But it cost a packet and required months of precision track work, so why bother? |
| French rail chiefs hailed it a triumph, while President Jacques Chirac said it was "new proof of the excellence of the French rail industry". The driver, Eric Pieczac, said it made him feel "very happy". | French rail chiefs hailed it a triumph, while President Jacques Chirac said it was "new proof of the excellence of the French rail industry". The driver, Eric Pieczac, said it made him feel "very happy". |
| When the TGV train hit 356mph on track between Paris and Strasbourg on Tuesday, it shattered a 17-year-old record and was almost as fast as a World War II Spitfire at top speed. | |
| It's very impressive, but 30m euros (£20m) had been spent specially modifying the 120-mile section of track. The train was powered by two engines, needed special wheels and went twice the maximum speed of a TGV on any passenger route. So what are the point of speed records? | It's very impressive, but 30m euros (£20m) had been spent specially modifying the 120-mile section of track. The train was powered by two engines, needed special wheels and went twice the maximum speed of a TGV on any passenger route. So what are the point of speed records? |
| THE ANSWER Record-breaking technology filters down into everyday life See world speed records While some are a bit of fun or a matter of personal achievement, others - like the TGV - are often the eye-catching highlight of long, expensive projects to explore the technical limits of a mode of transport. | THE ANSWER Record-breaking technology filters down into everyday life See world speed records While some are a bit of fun or a matter of personal achievement, others - like the TGV - are often the eye-catching highlight of long, expensive projects to explore the technical limits of a mode of transport. |
| According to rail company SNCF and the train's makers, Alstom, the record attempt represents a test on the infrastructure in extreme conditions, which is impossible to carry out in the laboratory. | According to rail company SNCF and the train's makers, Alstom, the record attempt represents a test on the infrastructure in extreme conditions, which is impossible to carry out in the laboratory. |
| "There was a lot of boffin work behind the TGV speed record but the public just see the exciting climax," says Chris Jackson, editor of the Railway Gazette International. | "There was a lot of boffin work behind the TGV speed record but the public just see the exciting climax," says Chris Jackson, editor of the Railway Gazette International. |
| Inadequacies | Inadequacies |
| "The record attempt is part of a major project to explore the capabilities of this train, which in turn is part of a general move to get all trains to run faster. | "The record attempt is part of a major project to explore the capabilities of this train, which in turn is part of a general move to get all trains to run faster. |
| WHO, WHAT, WHY? A regular feature in the BBC News Magazine - aiming to answer some of the questions behind the headlines "While work was done on the line, it is still a commercial line which will carry passengers from June and all the technology involved will be available for your average train." | WHO, WHAT, WHY? A regular feature in the BBC News Magazine - aiming to answer some of the questions behind the headlines "While work was done on the line, it is still a commercial line which will carry passengers from June and all the technology involved will be available for your average train." |
| The rail industry wants to reduce journey times between the major European cities to within the three-hour bracket, says Mr Jackson. It's at that point that rail becomes more efficient than short-stop air services and can challenge them. | The rail industry wants to reduce journey times between the major European cities to within the three-hour bracket, says Mr Jackson. It's at that point that rail becomes more efficient than short-stop air services and can challenge them. |
| "As well as offering more choice to customers, it has huge environmental implications," he says. A passenger travelling by Eurostar produces a tenth of the carbon of an airline passenger making a journey of the same distance. | "As well as offering more choice to customers, it has huge environmental implications," he says. A passenger travelling by Eurostar produces a tenth of the carbon of an airline passenger making a journey of the same distance. |
| There are also commercial benefits. Alstom hopes the record will boost TGV sales abroad, where it is competing with the Japanese Shinkansen and the German Inter-City Express high-speed trains. | There are also commercial benefits. Alstom hopes the record will boost TGV sales abroad, where it is competing with the Japanese Shinkansen and the German Inter-City Express high-speed trains. |
| For some, speed records are more personal. Steve Cunnigham has been blind since the age of 12 and has broken records for the fastest blind man on land and water. | For some, speed records are more personal. Steve Cunnigham has been blind since the age of 12 and has broken records for the fastest blind man on land and water. |
| "It's all about challenging your own inadequacies, working through them and leaving them behind as you go onto the next task," he said in a BBC interview. | "It's all about challenging your own inadequacies, working through them and leaving them behind as you go onto the next task," he said in a BBC interview. |
| "Losing my sight at the age of 12 was not fun. I had to change but I can prove that change can be healthy. I am far more successful now than I would have been." | "Losing my sight at the age of 12 was not fun. I had to change but I can prove that change can be healthy. I am far more successful now than I would have been." |
| Back to top | Back to top |
| Send us your comments using the form below. | Send us your comments using the form below. |