High-speed rail
''Le Capitole''
#### *Le Capitole*

[thumb\|left\|The [BB 9200](/wiki/SNCF_Class_BB_9200 "SNCF Class BB 9200") hauled *Le Capitole* at 200 km/h.](/wiki/File:Spoorwegmuseum_Mulhouse_Capitole.jpg "Spoorwegmuseum Mulhouse Capitole.jpg")
After the successful introduction of the Japanese Shinkansen in 1964, at , the German demonstrations up to  in 1965, and the proof\-of\-concept jet\-powered [Aérotrain](/wiki/A%C3%A9rotrain "Aérotrain"), [SNCF](/wiki/SNCF "SNCF") ran its fastest trains at .

In 1966, French Infrastructure Minister [Edgard Pisani](/wiki/Edgard_Pisani "Edgard Pisani") consulted engineers and gave the French National Railways twelve months to raise speeds to . The classic line Paris–[Toulouse](/wiki/Toulouse "Toulouse") was chosen, and fitted, to support  rather than . Some improvements were set, notably the signals system, development of on board "in\-cab" signalling system, and curve revision.

The next year, in May 1967, a regular service at  was inaugurated by the [TEE](/wiki/Trans_Europ_Express "Trans Europ Express") *[Le Capitole](/wiki/Le_Capitole_%28train%29 "Le Capitole (train)")* between Paris and [Toulouse](/wiki/Toulouse "Toulouse"), with specially adapted [SNCF Class BB 9200](/wiki/SNCF_Class_BB_9200 "SNCF Class BB 9200") locomotives hauling classic UIC cars, and a full red livery. It averaged  over the .

At the same time, the [Aérotrain](/wiki/A%C3%A9rotrain "Aérotrain") prototype 02 reached  on a half\-scale experimental track. In 1969, it achieved  on the same track. On 5 March 1974, the full\-scale commercial prototype Aérotrain I80HV, jet powered, reached .


How did the Aérotrain prototype reach high speeds?