TGV Sud-Est

The TGV Sud-Est was the first TGV train to be introduced on France's LGV Southeastern Line (Paris to Lyon), Europe's first high-speed rail line. After operating on conventional lines prior to the line's opening, it began operating at a maximum speed of 260 km/h upon the line's opening in 1981. Two years later, with the line's extension, its top speed rose to 270 km/h. This surpassed the maximum commercial speed of Japan's Shinkansen at the time, garnering attention as the world's fastest train. Through various updates to both the line and the train, the top speed was increased to 300 km/h, and the train enjoyed a long and successful career. Even now that the actual train has been retired, the orange livery of the first-generation TGV remains enduringly popular.

KATO's first European-style train, the orange "first-generation TGV," the TGV Sud-Est, has been redesigned to current standards and is now available as a product. The unique pantograph for AC sections is newly reproduced, and two trains can be coupled together, just like the real thing. It is recommended not only for operation in combination with other TGV series, but also as a collection item.