SNCF presents the TGV M, its “train of the future”

In cathedral silence, his nose appears at the SNCF South-Eastern Europe technical center in Paris. A few minutes earlier, a spotless white train had rolled along the tracks and arrived at the Gare de Lyon to applause. SNCF officially presented the TGV M, its “train of the future” for the first time.

“This is a source of national pride that should become our weapon of economic conquest,” welcomed Jean-Pierre Farandou, CEO of the SNCF group. “In the great railway battle, the arrival of this new train is an important victory,” said Clément Beaune, transport minister. “This should allow us to respond to our two challenges: the growth in the number of travelers and the emergence of competition,” said Christophe Fanichet, CEO of SNCF Voyageurs.

Test trains will travel a million kilometers

The “future TGV iNoui” will enter commercial service in early 2025. With a maximum capacity of 740 seats compared to 630 today, this fifth generation of high-speed trains should allow the railway company to continue its development, i.e. a time when “the appetite for trains grows year after year,” admits Christophe Fanichet.

Since the TGV M is 97% recyclable, it will consume 20% less energy than current TGVs. “This is a real railway revolution,” insists Jean-Pierre Farandou. We are going to gain an edge in global competition. »

At the moment, the train continues testing, which began in December last year. Having made its first journeys at Velim in the Czech Republic, the train now operates throughout the national network. “We are in the pre-test phase, during which we mainly check speed and braking. There are two more left: approval and preliminary operation,” explains Alain Krakovic, director of TGV – Intercités.

In total, the test trains will travel 1 million kilometers on French rails before official commissioning and passenger transportation. “At the moment there are 50,000 of us,” admits Alen Krakovich. There’s still plenty of time. “The revolution will wait.