Sophie is the oldest French high speed trainset which running in 2016! Now this TGV #02 is running on South-East line and first TGV #01 is running on North line. Both trainsets (nicknamed Patrick & Sophie, used as radio callsigns during tests before numbered #01 & #02) have been built in 1976/1977 and was delivered on July 28th, 1978 for testing purposes. During test period (to mid of 1980), 15 000 modifications were made on both trainsets to be compliant before delivering others 85 trains of the "TGV Sud-Est" serie. The #03 was delivered at the end of April 1980 and latest was build and delivered in 1985/1986. This trainset have now more than 9 million km and has been renovated 3 times ! The day shoot, the #02 was coupled with the #16 which have been the first world record TGV with a run at 380 Kp/H The february 26th, 1981. Piece of French high speed trains history...
Pictures of French high speed conquest... With all kind of locomotives, trains and infrastructures that participated to improve rail speed and makes the best world records.
