TGV Italy - France: Turin to Chambery Drivers Eye View

This programme places you in the cab of TGV service 9244 as it makes its international journey from Milan to Paris, capturing the dramatic Alpine section of the route. Joining the train around ninety minutes after departure, we begin at the modern Turin Porta Susa station, where the French high-speed set is already in full stride. From this point, the cameras remain firmly focused on the road ahead, as well as the driver’s interaction with Italy’s SCMT speed supervision system.

The climb into the mountains begins gradually but soon intensifies, with gradients steepening to as much as 1 in 33 — close to the limits of what conventional steel-wheel adhesion railways can handle. Against the backdrop of towering peaks and deep valleys, the train powers steadily uphill, demonstrating the unique combination of strength and precision required to operate a high-speed service through such challenging terrain.

The summit of this historic route lies within the Fréjus tunnel, stretching approximately eight and a half miles beneath the Alps. First opened in 1871, it was hailed as a groundbreaking achievement and once held the title of the world’s longest tunnel. Thanks to enhanced lighting, viewers experience the interior much as the driver does. Emerging into France, the journey continues under Italian crew and signalling rules until Modane, where a crew change marks the transition to French operation.

The descent towards Chambéry mirrors the strength of the earlier climb, with steep gradients and mountain vistas dominating the scenery. Along the way, the programme reflects on France’s worst railway disaster, which tragically claimed around 700 soldiers when a train ran away on these same slopes. Blending history, engineering and breathtaking landscapes, this driver’s view offers an unforgettable look at one of Europe’s most remarkable rail crossings.