While Britain hesitates about high-speed rail, France is welcoming the latest version of a train which will be running on the newest high-speed line in France.

Alstom's third-generation duplex TGV train sets are the first double-deck very-high-speed trains capable of travelling on all European rail networks.

Two trains are currently undergoing final development and approval, with commercial operation expected to begin later this year.

They will operate on the new Rhin-Rhône high-speed line which will open in December. The entire 55-strong fleet will be delivered by 2014.

The new trains take advantage of 30 years of experience in very-high-speed railway equipment.

The trains will run at up to 200 mph in France, Germany, Switzerland and Luxembourg. They feature internationally compatible signalling equipment and traction equipment suited to all types of European rail electrification.
Some of the trains will have modifications to allow them to travel in Spain and others will be sold to Morocco.

The trains were designed and will be assembled at various Alstom factories. Passenger cars will be built at La Rochelle, locomotives at Belfort, and end cars in Reichshoffen.

Ornans will provide traction motors, Le Creusot bogies, Tarbes for the electrical blocks and traction equipment, Villeurbanne for control electronics, Montréal for the passenger information systems, Charleroi for auxiliary inverters.

Every day, a total of 1,500 people go to work on these sites to serve high-speed rail. The main French suppliers on the project are Faiveley Transport, Alstom GRID, Logitrade, COMECA, CEIT, TFCM and Association Bretagne Atelier.