Dynamic testing has restarted on phase two of the LGV Est line – just a few months after a derailment in which 11 people were killed.
Testing restarted on February 29. As an additional precaution, SNCF has chosen to use an automatic speed control system throughout the test phase.
Originally due to be commissioned in April, the opening will now take place on July 3.
The accident on November 14 left 11 people dead and 37 injured. It occurred when one of the high-speed test train carrying technicians and their families derailed between Baudrecourt and Vendenheim.
Investigations concluded that the crash was caused by “excessive speed due to late braking”.
Work to repair the section of line that was damaged during the derailment will continue throughout testing.
SNCF said it had informed the families of the victims about the resumption of testing on the route. SNCF president Guillaume Pepy will meet with the families on March 5.
The first 300-kilometre phase of the LGV Est high-speed TGV line was completed in 2007. Work began on phase two in 2010.
