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SNCF TGV Iris 320

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Iris 320 4530
Iris 320 with pantograph monitoring dome on top.

Iris 320 is a modified TGV train operated by SNCF International as a dedicated track recording train for high-speed railways.[1] The train can run at 320 kilometres per hour (199 mph) and consists of two power cars and eight trailer coaches, providing a 160-metre (524 ft 11 in) long laboratory.[1] It was converted from former SNCF TGV Réseau passenger train number 4530.

The train is primarily used for monitoring the whole of the French high-speed LGV network every 15 days.[2] In addition it surveys other main lines in France operating at above 160 km/h (99 mph)[2] and the HSL 1 high-speed line in Belgium for Infrabel.

Once every two months, Iris 320 takes a survey of the Channel Tunnel for Eurotunnel (since December 2010) and of High Speed 1 for Network Rail (Channel Tunnel Rail Link) in the United Kingdom (since 4/5 May 2011).[3] The cross-channel trips are diesel-hauled by Eurotunnel Class 0001 locomotives and travel at 100 km/h (62 mph).[4][5]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Foeillet, Guillaume (2008-03-17). "The IRIS 320 High speed Measurement Train set" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-03-14. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  2. ^ a b University of Birmingham (2008-11-04). D4.4.1 – Rail Inspection Technologies (PDF) (Report). Innotrack. p. 20. Retrieved 2011-06-07. SNCF ... "IRIS 320" car that can achieve speeds up to 320 km/h. These inspections are performed every 15 days to check for visual surface defects over high speed lines as well as high standard main line (speed ≥ 160 km/h).
  3. ^ Milner, Chris (2011-06-02). "TGV in secret visit to UK". The Railway Magazine. Archived from the original on 2011-06-06. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  4. ^ "United Kingdom: Track Geometry Checks". SNCF International. Archived from the original on 2011-08-12. Retrieved 2011-06-07. SNCF International … with Eurotunnel and .. Network-Rail (CTRL) are … carrying out Eurotunnel monitoring runs using the Iris 320 train and extending them as far as London St Pancras.
  5. ^ "Maintenance" (PDF). Inspecting the infrastructure at 100 km/h. Annual Report (Report). Eurotunnel Group. 2010. p. 24. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-08-07. Retrieved 2011-06-07. IRIS 320 measuring train … since December 2010, … inspecting the Channel Tunnel, pulled by a Eurotunnel diesel locomotive at 100 km/h … every two months
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Media related to Iris 320 at Wikimedia Commons