A conventional French TGV reached 574.8 km/h during its 2007 world rail-speed record.
The record attempt took place on April 3, 2007, on the LGV Est high-speed line before its public opening. The specially prepared train, known as V150, used modified TGV Duplex power cars and three specially adapted passenger vehicles. The name referred to the target speed of 150 metres per second.
This was a test run, not a normal passenger-service speed. Record trains can use altered gearing, increased electrical power, special wheel sizes, and carefully controlled conditions that are unsuitable for everyday operation.
The result exceeded the previous official rail-speed record of 515.3 km/h, set by a TGV in 1990. Commercial TGV services operate at much lower speeds to balance safety, maintenance, comfort, and timetable reliability.