P.M. BRIEFING : French Train Sets Speed Record
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PARIS — A French high-speed train today broke its own world speed record for the third time in two weeks, hitting 320.2 m.p.h.
The speed reached by the “train a grande vitesse “ -- or TGV--betters a mark of 317.4 m.p.h. set only Wednesday.
The sprint today concludes two weeks of time trials held in western France by the national railroad, the Societe Nationale des Chemins de Fer.
West German and Japanese manufacturers are competing with France for high-speed train contracts in Europe, North America, South Korea and Australia.
The blue-and-silver bullet-nosed TGV established a milestone May 9 by breaking the 300-m.p.h. barrier, rocketing along at 317.3 m.p.h. The normal speed for the trains is about 185 m.p.h. along a specially constructed track. The trains are carrying no passengers during the time trials.
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