TGV INOUI – High-Speed Rail from France

In France, the TGV occupies a role comparable to that of the ICE in Germany. This family of high-speed multiple-unit trains is continuously developed by Alstom, both technically and visually. The TGV Euroduplex is one such innovation, designed for operating speeds of up to 320 km/h.

The Euroduplex consists of ten double-deck cars, with two power cars and eight intermediate coaches. As its name suggests, the fleet of 134 trainsets is equipped for international service. Operating under the name TGV INOUI, these trains run not only across France but also into Switzerland and Germany. Whether travelling for business or leisure, passengers experience high-speed operation combined with comfort and a distinctly French atmosphere. Onboard Wi-Fi is available, and the bistro offers coffee and light refreshments.

The TGV INOUI can be added to a layout in HO scale in a configurations of up to ten cars, bringing the French high-speed rail to the model railway.

Prototype: TGV INOUI (Euroduplex) high-speed train. This is the premium offering of the French State Railways (SNCF), with enhanced comfort and service, such as WLAN. This is a version for the service between Paris and Munich. Two powered end cars (M1 and M2), one bi-level transition car (R1), 1st class, one bi-level transition car (R8), 2nd class. Powered rail car train road number 4713. The train looks as it did in 2025.

Highlights

• The model is the current version of the TGV INOUI used on the Paris - Munich route.
• New powered rail-car train number 4713.
• Reproduced in 1:87 scale.
• Factory-installed LED interior lighting.
• The third headlight can be switched off for the French light changeover.
• The model has an mfx+ digital decoder with extensive operating and sound functions.
• Both powered end cars are motorized.
• A buffer capacitor to bridge short unpowered sections of track is fitted.

Model: The train is a 4-part set. Both power cars are motorized (M1 and M2). The train has an mfx+ digital decoder and extensive sound functions. There is a controlled high-performance motor in both powered end cars, centrally mounted. All 4 axles are powered by cardan shafts. Traction tires. Factory-installed interior lighting. The triple headlights and dual red marker lights change over with the direction of travel. They and the interior lighting will work in conventional operation and can be controlled digitally. The third headlight can be separately switched off digitally for the French light changeover (light function). Maintenance-free warm white and red LEDs are used for the lighting. A buffer capacitor is fitted. Cabs in the powered end cars have interior details.

Separately attached metal grab irons. The powered end car and transition cars are permanently coupled in pairs, with special close couplings and a guide mechanism. Additional guide mechanism in the Jakobs truck. The train has a power pickup feature whereby power is picked up from the pickup shoe in the powered end car at the front of the train. A continuous electrical connection through the entire train supplies the interior lighting with power. Each powered end car has 2 different single-arm pantograph designs, one with a slipper for the DB catenary and one with a slipper for the SNCF catenary. The pantographs work mechanically but are not wired to take power.

The cars are a scale reproduction, which means the minimum radius for operation is 360 mm (14-11/64) with sufficient clearance on both sides. Length of the 4-part set is 102 cm (40-5/32).

The basic set, item 37798, can be extended using the add-on car sets 43428, 43438, and 43448 to create a prototypical ten-piece unit.

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