This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/6450973.stm

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
France to launch superfast trains France to open fastest rail link
(about 8 hours later)
France is to inaugurate its fastest rail link to date that will see trains travelling at 320km/h (200mph).France is to inaugurate its fastest rail link to date that will see trains travelling at 320km/h (200mph).
The TGV-Est line will connect Paris with the eastern city of Strasbourg, cutting travel time from the current four hours to two hours 20 minutes. The TGV-Est line will connect Paris with the eastern city of Strasbourg, cutting travel time from the current four hours to two hours, 20 minutes.
Passengers travelling further east to other EU states will also benefit after the launch of the link on 10 June.Passengers travelling further east to other EU states will also benefit after the launch of the link on 10 June.
Thursday's event will be marked with a grand light show staged along the 300km-long (185 miles) rail line. Thursday's event will be marked with a grand light show staged along the 300km-long (185-mile) railway line.
"Some 37 million Europeans can be reached," TGV-East director Alain Le Guellec was quoted as saying by the AFP news agency. "Some 37 million Europeans can be reached," said TGV-East director Alain Le Guellec, quoted by the French news agency AFP.
"A network of high-speed links is being put into place with the rest of Europe," he said."A network of high-speed links is being put into place with the rest of Europe," he said.
The $5.3bn (4bn euros) project was launched in 2002, with dozens of financial partners - including the governments of France and Luxembourg - sharing the cost.The $5.3bn (4bn euros) project was launched in 2002, with dozens of financial partners - including the governments of France and Luxembourg - sharing the cost.
France's TGV trains - launched more than two decades ago - cover a network of 1,500km (930 miles) with an average speed of 300km/h (185mph).France's TGV trains - launched more than two decades ago - cover a network of 1,500km (930 miles) with an average speed of 300km/h (185mph).