Lille Europe
Jun 15, 2017, 8:36 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 1
Lille Europe
It used to be claimed, many years ago, that some TGVs through Lille Europe were non-stopping and went through the station at something approaching 300km/hr. Is this still the case and, if so, how could I find out which services. If that's no longer the case, does anyone know where I could "train-spot" a TGV going past me at nearly full speed? I'm trying to include this experience in a Europe trip from Australia so I'm very flexible about destination :-)
Thanks
Thanks
Jun 15, 2017, 9:29 am
#2
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Berlin
Programs: BAEC; LH M&M; HH Diamond
Posts: 814
Not a TGV in Belgium but an ICE in Germany
On the dedicated high speed track between Cologne and Frankfurt the ICE goes at that speed. There are two stations along the main part of the line where most trains don't stop (Montabaur and Limburg South). You can spot the train from the platform as it passes through those stations, using the middle tracks (i.e. not the ones with platform access).
Jun 15, 2017, 9:52 am
#3
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold, LH Sen, MUCCI, Junior Jet Club.
Posts: 8,101
It used to be claimed, many years ago, that some TGVs through Lille Europe were non-stopping and went through the station at something approaching 300km/hr. Is this still the case and, if so, how could I find out which services. If that's no longer the case, does anyone know where I could "train-spot" a TGV going past me at nearly full speed? I'm trying to include this experience in a Europe trip from Australia so I'm very flexible about destination :-)
Thanks
Thanks
In the UK you can see Eurostar going through Stratford at 230 km/h which is the line speed for that section. I believe they go through Ebbsfleet at 300 km/h so you could take a train there from London and see.
In France there are a couple of stations such as Haut-Picardie where trains go through and there is a good view of the tracks. HP is in the middle of nowhere though.
There are plenty of videos on YouTube which would be able to help with a location.
Jun 15, 2017, 10:20 am
#4
Join Date: Sep 2015
Programs: LH SEN; BA Gold
Posts: 8,405
It's boring. I wouldn't bother. Contrary to Japan or China, the fly-through tracks are walled of by two massive concrete walls in stations. If you want to see the TGV fly past at high speed, pick a nice spot overlooking the LGV.
Jun 17, 2017, 9:50 am
#7
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: PEK
Programs: A3*G, UA Gold EY Silver
Posts: 8,958
There are no platforms where you'll have the train going 300 km/h next to you. It might be one track over and that track will be separated by sound walls, but nothing where you can just stand next to a train going 300 km/h.