TGV Sud-Est No. 17 “Tergnier” of the SNCF
For many railway enthusiasts, the TGV Sud-Est is the train that started the European high-speed revolution. Introduced in 1981 for the newly opened Paris-Lyon high-speed line, it was the very first production version of the famous French TGV and quickly became a symbol of modern rail travel. Its striking orange livery was chosen not only for its distinctive appearance but also because it improved visibility at high speed, making the train instantly recognizable across France.
What made the Sud-Est particularly innovative was its articulated design. Instead of each passenger coach riding on its own pair of bogies, adjacent coaches shared a common bogie (called Jacobs Bogie). This reduced weight, improved stability, and enhanced safety. The configuration also gave the train its characteristic smooth appearance and contributed to the exceptionally stable ride for which the TGV became famous.
An interesting detail that many people do not know is that the TGV project was originally planned around gas-turbine technology. Only after the oil crisis of the 1970s did the French railways switch to a fully electric concept. In hindsight, this decision proved crucial to the success of the TGV system and helped establish France as a world leader in high-speed rail technology.
Before regular passenger service even began, one of the prototype trainsets demonstrated the remarkable potential of the design by reaching 380 km/h (236 mph) during testing in 1981, setting a new railway speed record at the time. Although the trains entered service at much lower speeds, this achievement captured worldwide attention and demonstrated that high-speed rail was a realistic alternative to domestic air travel.
More than forty years after its introduction, the distinctive shape of the Sud-Est remains one of the most iconic train designs ever built, and many railway enthusiasts still consider the original orange TGV to be the most beautiful of all TGV generations.
About this MOC:
The trainset represented by this MOC is TGV Sud-Est No. 17, one of the pioneering trains that helped define a new era of rail transportation. The real TGV trainsets consisted of eight intermediate coaches. Because the model is already exceptionally long, I chose to produce a shortened version. Coaches R4, R5, and R6 (the second-class coaches positioned behind the bistro car) are not included in this set. They can easily be added by duplicating coach R7 as required.
The train is powered by one motorized power car equipped with two train motors. To ensure adequate traction, eight weighting bricks (part 73090b) have been installed. The model has been thoroughly tested on R104 curves and turnouts and operates reliably under these conditions. While it is possible that the train can also handle R88 curves, this has not yet been verified.
The instructions are based on a battery box from a third-party manufacturer, including a corresponding wiring example. Thanks to the space available inside the powered car, other power solutions can be used as well, giving builders a high degree of flexibility when motorizing the train.
MOC stats (entire train set):
Length: 404.3 studs, 3234 mm
Width: 8.4 studs, 67 mm
Height: 13.2 studs, 106 mm
Weight: 6.98 kg
Parts: 7849
I’ve put together a detailed, step‑by‑step building guide for you. Throughout the instructions, you’ll find small comments and helpful hints - little signposts to make the trickier steps easier and more enjoyable.
At the end of the guide, you’ll find a visual parts list so you can quickly see everything that goes into the model.
If this build includes stickers, I’ve prepared two print‑ready sheets for you:
• a PDF you can print at home, and
• an Adobe Illustrator file for professional print shops.
You’ll also get the full parts list as a CSV file. This makes it simple to check which pieces you need and to prepare your order on common brick‑trading platforms.
Disclaimer: Please build responsibly. I cannot take responsibility for any damage or injury to parts or individuals that may occur while following these instructions. You follow at your own risk.
Link to the instruction and sticker files:
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