European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - January 24, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse A above the French Quot train a Grande Viesse Quot Tiv. Below right three locomotives of Germany s High Speed version the intercity experimental ice. Europe into the future a by Patrick Mcdowell associated press the historic linkup of a Tunnel under the English Channel is Only one step in a larger plan to connect the great cities of Europe with a network of super fast trains. Rail planners envision sleek trains rocketing through the French Alps across German Plains and of course under the Channel. on Board they Hope will be travellers fed up with Europe s congested airports and highways. By 2010, they could be Riding from Madrid to Frankfurt in less than 10 hours compared to nearly 24 hours now. Quot trains will soon allow what Only planes made possible Quot predicts Karel Van Miert the european Community s transport commissioner. He recently introduced an dec plan to create a $205 billion Western european High Speed network Over 20 years. The 15,500 Miles of electrified track would carry trains running at 120 to 200 Mph. The Channel Tunnel a which linked up in Early december will join London and Paris with a 31/2-hour train ride in 1993. It will enable a London banker for example to hop a train to Brussels Frankfurt Madrid Milan or dozens of other cities. Environmental worries ethnic squabbles and High construction costs could derail parts of the project. Financing remains Uncertain and the plan still needs approval by the european commission the Community s executive body. Quot when it will really be done i Don t know Quot said Hughes Corbeau a rail planner for the French transport ministry. Quot it s going to Cost a lot and demands concerted efforts from Public High Speed rail systems a minimum Speed 120 Mph a already built or under construction in Britain Germany,.italy, Spain and France form the Core of the proposed network. A also foreseen Are new High Speed systems or lineups by rail or ferry in Belgium the Netherlands Greece Portugal Switzerland Luxembourg Austria Ireland and Yugoslavia. A the technological Star and pacesetter for High Speed rail is the chisel nosed French Tiv or Quot train a Grande . Tvs went into operation Between Paris and Lyon in 1981, racing along at 1 74 Mph. They halved the rail time Between France s two leading economic centers to two hours and boosted ridership Between Paris and Southeast France from 12.2 million to 22.1 million in nine years. Julian Adriao 45, a chemistry professor from Lyon is a regular rider. Fie said the train May be a bit slower than an air plane but makes up fear it by saving trips to airports and waiting at Check in lines. Quot i came Here for a professional meeting this morning Quot he said on a Paris train platform Quot ill be Home Irv time Tor dinner with my France expanded the Tiv network last year with a second generation of More powerful trains running East West. They cruise at 18g Mph but one engine set a world rail Speed record of 318 Mph. The Tiv runs at High Speed Only on spelt Lal track. On. The 3 a hour trip from Paris to Geneva it slows to 125 Mph of conventional trac k after Lyon. Railway directors Hope High Speed trains it an win Bac k airline travellers on trips of 600 Miles or less. I hours Long. Airport delays Are increasing especially at London Paris and Frankfurt. A transport studies show european air Trullie Ini reused. 56 percent from 1975 to 1986 and could double by 2000. On the Paris Lyon run air traffic Del to 1672 Levels after the Tiv begun operating. The Complete train network will not ire pm y to accomplish if the planned Hookup old Ondon Paris. Brussels Amsterdam and Cologne serves As any example. It already has intergovernmental approval and the route lies o ver Flat terrain so it should be among the easiest to build. However. A a Britain refuses to Lay spec Lal l a lit it k in the Lush highly populated Countryside Between Loudon and the Channel Tunnel adding 30 minute to the if a. A regions of flemish and Freer h speakers m bilingual Belgium Are squabbling Over what it will get the Pelt tra it k and thus reap tin most i Onona be Iii. A in the net he Ian is the of dry land makes it impossible to Lay the Long Straightaway i to Roach full spec d a. The French i ministry had hoped the line would be or rational by 1995. Its most it in Tamimie estimate met a. Is 1 998. January 24, 1991 stripes Magazine 5
