SNCF TGV La Poste
| Company type | Train fleet |
|---|---|
| Industry | Rail transport |
| Predecessor | SNCF TGV Sud-Est |
| Founded | 1984 |
| Defunct | 2015 |
| Products | High-speed mail and freight train services |
| Owner | La Poste |
| Parent | SNCF |
The TGV La Poste represented a fleet of high-speed trainsets dedicated exclusively to freight and mail services, operated by the French railway company SNCF on behalf of the postal service provider La Poste. These trainsets were derived from the SNCF TGV Sud-Est model and were capable of reaching speeds up to , positioning them as the fastest freight trains worldwide. Their operational period spanned from 1984 until their retirement in 2015.
Services
Constructed by Alstom between 1978 and 1986, the collection included five half-trainsets (identified as numbers 1 through 5) along with two additional units (numbers 6 and 7) converted from the former TGV-SE passenger trainset no. 38. Each half-trainset consisted of a power car accompanied by four intermediate trailers specifically modified for mail transportation.
In 2009, La Poste decreased its daily round-trip frequency from eight to six. A trial freight journey to London-St Pancras took place in March 2012; however, this did not evolve into a regular service route.
By mid-2015, La Poste terminated TGV mail operations, transitioning towards the use of swap bodies as part of a logistics restructuring aimed at better accommodating contemporary mail volumes and handling requirements. The last scheduled service ran on 27 June 2015 between Cavaillon (Marseille) and Charolais (Paris). Following unsuccessful attempts to sell the trainsets, three units were scrapped in late 2016, with only one half spare set preserved.
Fleet details
| Class | Number in service | Year built | Operator | Current units | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Series 923000 | 2.5 (5 half-sets) | 1981 | La Poste | P1-P5 | |
| 1 (2 half-sets) | 1984 | P6-P7 | Converted from SNCF TGV Sud-Est passenger trainset no. 38 |
See also
- British Rail Class 325, electric multiple units employed for postal services in the United Kingdom
- FS Class ETR 500, utilized for freight since October 2018, with a maximum speed of , and an average operating speed