Re: New train speed record 357 MPH on rails

I watched the report on CNN Europe last night. The reason this was done was purely as a demonstration of the superior technology used in the French system (the reporter's statement, not mine). In the next few years it is expected that there will be many projects across the world that will be funded; Alstrom (the TGV manufacturer) wants to be at the top of the list. China is expected to build many lines in the next few years and French, German, and Japanese companies expect to compete for that business. Oh yea, it was mentioned there was a representitive from California, should some miracle occur and they find the money to build what they've been talking about for 30 years.
The line these tests were done on is the new TGV/East line from Paris to Strausborg and points beyond. I was poking around the Paris TGV shops this past weekend and didn't see this train; it must be kept in a secret place.