Photo : Peter
Huerzeler Collection

Sud-Est

Introduction

The original TGV Sud-Est, launched in 1981, was the flagship high-speed train of France – and one that set an unprecedented world speed record of 380km/h, capturing attention and sparking fascination worldwide.

With its vivid orange body, gray stripes, and bold “TGV” lettering along the sides, this iconic train was instantly recognizable and soon became a familiar presence in illustrated train books and encyclopedias.

It overtook Japan’s legendary “Dream Super Express,” the first Shinkansen (0 Series), and claimed the title of the world’s fastest train at the time.

With its futuristic design and thrilling speed performance, it signaled the arrival of a new era of high-speed rail in Europe, winning the hearts of people around the globe.

Among those captivated was Yuji Kato, founder of Sekisui Kinzoku (KATO). Even without a distribution network in Europe at the time, he felt strongly that “this train needs to be made in N scale.” In 1983, just two years after its debut, the TGV Sud-Est was brought to life in model form – in an era when even the design blueprints were still drawn by hand.

Now, more than 40 years later, KATO will bring the original TGV Sud-Est back to life – revived through the latest, refined technologies built on over six decades of expertise.

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