French President Emmanuel Macron has unveiled a mock-up of the next generation of greener super high-speed trains, known in France as TGVs — four decades after the first TGV was launched.
At a presentation at Paris’ Gare de Lyon railway station, Macron played up the new train’s eco-friendly aspect.
“This decade for the TGV will be about innovation,” Macron said, adding that France must “respond to the challenge of moving around by emitting less and promoting new energy forms.”
Macron spoke in front of a full-scale model of the new TGV M. It will carry more passengers — 740 compared to the current train’s 600 — and is planned to enter service in 2024.
It will also use one fifth less electricity than the current model, while maintaining its top speed of 320 kilometers per hour (199 miles per hour).
The ceremony took place 40 years after another French president, François Mitterrand, launched his bold new gamble in technology at the same station — the first TGV, or “Train a Grande Vitesse” (Very Fast Train).
With a line speed of over 270 km/h, according to France’s SNCF railway company, that train went on to change the face of modern train travel.
It has since been emulated around the world, including recently in the U.K.’s highly anticipated HS2 project.
Macron’s government has promised 6.5 billion euros ($7.6 billion) in new investments this year to expand high-speed train lines, and boosting train use has been part of his government’s strategy to reduce emissions.
The Experimental Aviation Association Chapter 1576 of Lyndonville held event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.Local pilots and airplanes was there as well as visiting planes from other airports.
Free ice cream was given to anyone who attended the Pudding Hill School and former members Civil Air patrol Squadron 44004.
The Governor, on Friday, handed down the new deadline when he inspected the housing project to assess the pace of construction work.The project, sited on 16.9 hectares, took off in 2012. It was revived by the Sanwo-Olu administration.The first scheme of the project has 62 blocks of 12 flats each, while the second scheme has 32 blocks of 444 flats.Sanwo-Olu, who was accompanied on the inspection by members of the State’s cabinet had a one-on-one engagement with the contractors during which he expressed his displeasure over the slow work on the project.The Governor issued a stern warning to those culpable in defaulting the deadlines, saying he would no longer tolerate tardiness in the work.Erring contractors, the Governor threatened, would have their deals terminated should there be no progress in the next seven days.He said: “We have come on an inspection of this massive construction site that is divided into two phases. The level of work on Phase One is over 90 percent, but this is not the same in the second phase.In the next six weeks, we will be handing over the 744 units in Phase 1 of the project and all contractors working on it must complete their work.“I commend all contractors that have worked tirelessly to push through; I understand this has been a very difficult project. We have been working night and day, trying to deliver the project. We want to be fair to every contractor and we appreciate those who have shown real resilience and commitment.