Science: Entrez the Flying Peacock

• Share

(2 of 2)

The TGV uses little more energy than conventional trains, and, of course, far less than the amount required to transport people by car or aircraft. Since much of France's electrical grid is powered by hydroelectric or nuclear energy, the nation's growing investment in electric railroads will help lessen its dependence on imported oil. Meanwhile, the French expect sales of their rail technology to other countries will be brisk, and that much of Europe may eventually be linked by trains of grande vitesse. President François Mitterrand, a railroad stationmaster's son, boarded the train at Lyon and declared on the way back to Paris that France is willing to take the gamble with "this superb technical realization." Said he: "The train, for too long considered a means of transportation of the past, is wreaking, now and even more so in the future, its sweet revenge.'' —By MichaelDemarest.

Reported by Sandra Burton/Lyon