The 422km/h Hovertrain That Destroyed The Rail Speed Record: What Happened To Aerotrain 01 & 02?

The Aerotrain is a forgotten legend of French engineering: an experimental 1960s hovertrain that destroyed the world speed record for rail vehicles at the time. And in my last video, we visited the old abandoned test track where the record-breaking runs were made. But what happened to the two test vehicles themselves? Are they still around? I decided to try and hunt them down...
LINKS
Univem home page - univem-paris.com/en/
The Friends of Jean Bertin (in French) - www.jean-bertin.fr/
Retromobile Exhibition Info & Tickets - www.retromobile.com/
INSTA - / the.tim.traveller
TWIT - / thetimtraveller
FACE - / thetimtraveller

[@JagoHazzard]

It's great to see that they're being kept in such good condition.

[@ChetNotJet]

Hi Jago big fan

[@tonys1636]

So many prototypes get scrapped lest they fall into unscrupulous hands or enemies in time of war.

[@phil2544]

@Jago love your channel

[@winterwatson6811]

Funny seeing you here!

[@TadeuszCantwell]

Fancy meeting you here Jago.

[@TotoDG]

“Now, although they _call_ this a museum, it’s really just a group of volunteer enthusiasts with a warehouse…” With all due respect, Tim, I’m pretty sure most vehicle-oriented museums fit that exact description (with some exceptions, obviously).

[@TheTimTraveller]

Fair point :D

[@Bobis32]

the major exceptions i can think of is the USAF Museum and the train museum in the Netherlands

[@-_James_-]

The National Motor Museum in Beaulieu is another fine exception.

[@wraithcadmus]

@@-_James_- Beaulieu is great, stately home with lovely gardens, and then an 'annexe' stuffed to the gills with cars.

[@delurkor]

As we are giving examples, here two more: The California State Railroad Museum, funded in part by the state and donations etc, volunteers welcome. And down the road a bit, The Western Railroad Museum, funded entirely by private donations and staffed by volunteers. On operating weekends you can ride an old electric car(tram to those in foreign lands) down five and a half miles of an ex-interurban line (shameless plug) 😁

[@RegebroRepairs]

Usually when it's in a warehouse somewhere it's in awful condition, but those look GREAT! That really should be a part of some major technological museum.

[@bipbipletucha]

Ikr? Must be some crazy-dedicated volunteers

[@emdB67]

Or perhaps a preservation society - restoring the original track. lol! Now that would be a tourist / heritage railway with a difference. :D

[@_Piers_]

The only thing I can think of is that train museums don't think it's trainy enough and maybe general transport museums think it's too trainy 🤷‍♂

[@tomjoad1363]

There are some political issues behind this story.

[@juststeve5542]

Aluminium doesn't rust, so things that are designed to be lightweight have a bit of an advantage. :-D The problems start when they have aluminium panels and steel frames...

[@MrElbarto75]

Protected area means it’s a military zone, this whole district is the Satory Camp Army base Tim, home of the GIGN paratroopers, all the warehouse over there are military sites ;)

[@TheTimTraveller]

Ahhhhhh that would explain it :D

[@MrElbarto75]

@@TheTimTraveller There might be something else in Versailles that might ineterest you. Another military base, full of old french subways and US army tanks, home of a giant railway crane ;)

[@TheTimTraveller]

You're not wrong. I'm in contact with them and there will hopefully be a video at some point :)

[@MrElbarto75]

@@TheTimTraveller Perfect 😍

[@Reidran]

it mostly is the home of the S.T.A.T (which you can see on the signs) which is the French army "testing and developping armament and vehicles" thing so. The gendarmerie camp (and other military entities) are a bit further from where you were. GIGN are maybe paratroopers (for more money) but they're first and foremost Gendarmes.

[@xinlu2806]

What I love about you is that you always take things that one step further. I've had heard of the aerotrain before on other channels, but nobody made the effort to actually find out whether these trains still exist and where they are apart from you!

[@keawarren]

Agree!

[@bjornkeizers]

What a delight that they're actively keeping the vehicles safe. Usually those would've been scrapped decades ago. Best wishes for the holidays Tim!

[@quoniam426]

As a matter of fact other Aerotrain protypes were vandalized and destroyed in the warehouses they were kept in years ago. Those two are the only ones remaining intact. No wonder the association preferred to give them to a Military installation for better protection.

[@Marctetr]

After the first video I didn't even wonder what had happened to them. It was so typical for prototypes to be scrapped, I just assumed they were long gone. I'm so happy to see they're not just still around, but in amazing condition no less!

[@gravit8ed]

Pretty sure I see a matress in the bigger one. Wouldn't be the worst place to take a nap I guess.

[@MrPete81]

@@gravit8ed the dreams one could have in there!

[@tomjoad1363]

@@quoniam426 Too bad now everyone knows where they are !

[@mrtnsnp]

The Thunderbirds aesthetics are strong on these, especially on number 2.

[@maartentoors]

It also kind of reminds me of Tim Burtons Batmobile xD

[@qwertyTRiG]

It is absolutely Thunderbirds. It almost looks like a deliberate parody of Thunderbirds (or vice versa).

[@rutgerb]

As was the music

[@areyouundoingthatorwhat9181]

Dan dare!

[@jjakiefte2165]

4:51 Thunderbirds March (trio).

[@TheIronArmenianakaGIHaigs]

3:00 Looks like something straight out of Thunderbirds

[@sirBrouwer]

I was thinking just that. It reminds me of one of the Pod Vehicles that can go in to TB2

[@Gatherersmusic]

I think the music was hinting at stingray 😃👍

[@resnbl1]

Heh - my first thought was "Supercar"...

[@sirBrouwer]

@@Gatherersmusic thunderbirds had more or less the same kind of soundtrack.

[@Gatherersmusic]

@@sirBrouwer yeah true it's basically the same series.

[@Happymali10]

3:28 The trailer it's on, if you ignore the part that hooks up to a truck/car, makes the train look like the goofiest retro-futurism show car.

[@JanTuts]

That's what I first thought when I saw the thumbnail, haha :D

[@sirBrouwer]

it would work as is in a thunderbirds production.

[@proposmontreal]

damn I love this channel. The fact that you were able to get "closure" from the previous story with filming the actual vehicule makes this outstanding. Si jamais tu décides de visiter Montréal au Québec, tu me fais signe!

[@SheikAbdulAzizBinBaz]

I just discovered this channel, and I’m damn glad I did.

[@qwackkk]

Welcome 😁

[@twothreebravo]

Oh do you have an amazing back catalog of stuff to go through!

[@iwal1645]

Just a small addition for those of us in the USA 422 Km/ph is approximately 262.22 mph that's a whole lot of miles per hour. Thanks Tim carry on.

[@Gatherersmusic]

Funnily enough we use MPH in the UK too, I think Tim is getting too acclimatised to being French 😋

[@apveening]

@@Gatherersmusic Or he recognises most of audience comes from outside the UK and USA.

[@uncinarynin]

Two larger experimental units were tested 1969 to 1977 on a longer test track Saran to Ruan that was intended to become part of a possible later line Paris to Orléans. Aérotrain I80 HV (an 80-seater built 1969 with a propeller and modified in 1974 with a jet engine), stored in Chevilly after the tests ended in 1977, was unfortunately destroyed in a fire 1992. Aérotrain S44 (a suburban version with linear motor also of 1969) was destroyed by fire 1991 in Gometz-la-Ville. SNCF was not part of the project. But the threat of competition by a new system led them to develop a high speed train on wheels and rails that was compatible to the existing network. As the high speed tests of 1955 had destroyed several pantographs, at first a gas turbine train was tested (TGV 001) until the project was developed further into the electric TGV that we have today, with the first high speed line LGV Sud-Est built 1976 to 1981.

[@mathieudizangremel7259]

I was about to leave a comment about those tao other Aérotrain. I thought someone kept I80 HV wreck?

[@uncinarynin]

@@mathieudizangremel7259 I would be interested in what remains of it!

[@zork999]

So the rule is "old hovertrains spontaneously combust"? That is not good.

[@adoraki]

@@uncinarynin one tiny piece of about 10 by 10 cm’s, that’s all. And some photo’s. The friends of Jean Bertin have it in their collection.

[@ronanverhulst6854]

je suis très touché par cette paire de vidéos, j'ai longtemps vécu à Orléans et le rail en béton le long de la N20 est culte.... il y avait, dans un hangar à Fleury les Aubrais un aérotrain très sympa, un grand, celui que l'on voit dans pas mal de vidéos de l'époque, il a été vandalisé et à disparu en fumée il y a quelques années, c'est triste. joyeux noël à toi Tim ainsi qu'à tous. salut et fraternité !

[@TheTimTraveller]

Merci Ronan ! Oui c'est super triste ce qui est arrivé au grand Aérotrain, je vais en parler dans la deuxième... euh... troisième épisode

[@tomjoad1363]

Sur la N7, à l'époque, il y avait un ingénieur qui transformait des Citroën SM en leur greffant un moteur Turbodiesel. Son affaire marchait bien et ses véhicules performant. Bizarrement son atelier est aussi parti en fumée. Il y a en France une mauvaise habitude de cramer tout ce qui sort un peu de l'ordinaire.

[@ronanverhulst6854]

@@tomjoad1363 la SM RG??? j'en ai connu une quand j'étais gamin si je me souviens bien...

[@kasugakyosuke6441]

@@TheTimTraveller Yes the last aérotrain prototype (the closest to the production version) was able to bring 80 passengers on board, with a speed record of slightly over 400 km/h. L'histoire derrière tout ceci, est plutôt triste. Deux des prototypes les plus avancés ont été détruits par un incendie criminel, visant à détruire et anéantir toutes chances d'un possible retour de ce concurrent. Ok on se doute forcément que le coupable a été engagé, et était lié de loin ou de près au TGV, qui ne voyait pas d'un bon œil l'aérotrain. Ils avaient clairement peur du génie de Jean Bertin, et de son projet, et ce malgré l'abandon du projet de l'aérotrain par le gouvernement français. Ils ont quand-même mené cette action criminel afin de brûler l'aérotrain, malgré le fait qu'ils avaient déjà gagné les faveurs du gouvernement. Cela montre vraiment à quel point ils ne se sentaient pas en paix. D'ailleurs, vous pourrez ajouter dans votre prochaine vidéo sur l'aérotrain, que le TGV a fortement bénéficié de l'appui du président Giscard d'Estaing, dont la femme était bizarrement lié/issue de la famille Alstom, société ayant créée le TGV. Si le président Pompidou n'était pas mort soudainement, l'aérotrain aurait été une réalité en France.

[@kasugakyosuke6441]

@@tomjoad1363 Plutôt de cramer tout ce qui a tendance à faire de l'ombre, à ceux déjà bien implanté et gavés par les aides gouvernementales ? Les mêmes personnes qui sont souvent des proches des différents présidents ou hauts fonctionnaires politiques ?

[@adoraki]

Thanks for this video Tim. I immediately put a little dot on my ‘places to visit’ map and when we were near Versailles last weekend we went there. The Univem people were there although a lot of their vehicles were on their way to Normandy. They gave us a fantastic tour, I learned some new things and was able to share some info with them in return. They also shared their box of cherries with us. They unveiled the Aèro trains and then introduced me us to Thierry Farges, thé man from the Jean Bertin foundation. He showed us his photo albums and we talked for a long time. Did you see the photo’s from when they found them? They were a total wreck! They really did an amazing job restoring them to this condition. If anyone wants to visit, know that you will be very welcome. We were! And the small hover transporter actually worked at the Paris motor show in Paris and it was a great succes!

[@stevenjlovelace]

The fastest way for Geoff to find a tea shop.

[@Niinsa62]

Ah, rocket-powered hover-trains! Brilliant!

[@mpersad]

How wonderful to see it still preserved! Ps Loved the "Stingray" theme.

[@thejokab]

I always appreciate that your videos are short when you have less to say on a subject. It makes me feel confident that your longer videos will be just as succinct and thus packed full of fun and interest. I only found your channel this past year and every time i see a new video i feel absolutely blessed. Merry Christmas Tim!

[@teabagfc]

This video put such a massive smile on my face, thank you Tim! So good to see such important vehicles carefully looked-after, even if they are waaay out in Versailles rather than pride-of-place in a Paris museum.

[@Graham_Rule]

That's amazing. Science fiction vehicles from my childhood complete with matching soundtrack about science fiction vehicles from my childhood.

[@Selphie]

Thank you for blessing us with another one of your amazing videos this evening!

[@GinnyNReviews]

OHHHHH, that was one of the greatest reveals in a youtube video, holy shit I love it :D

[@kmw4359]

Amazing! So glad you were able to find the original trains. And also find that little autonomous pod (let’s hope it will be displayed and that you can ride in it come February!). 4:09. Did anyone else notice the little bear? It looks very clean and new … wondering what it’s story may be? 😊

[@freewal]

The end of life of Jean Bertin is really sad. This genius felt into a grave depression after his projects were cancelled by the French government (the SNCF pushing for its TGV.) He had no more funds and died few weeks after.

[@AnyoneCanSee]

So sad. I've been reading as little about him online and even in photographs, he goes from a dashing, smartly dressed gentleman to having a very melancholic distant look in his eyes. Those individual pods look identical to what they are suggesting now, 50 years later, as an alternative transport system. They are not a great solution as the problem then and now is that you cannot move many people on individual pods on the same rail. The solution for that is something called trains. The hyperloop is over 100 years old technology and yet Richard Branson got scammed into putting millions into it. Sorry I went way off course waffling. Trains! I did it again!

[@kadmiraal]

Don't know what made me smile more, the wonderfull subject, the fact that those wonderfull Aerotrains were still in one piece or those Barry Gray covers :)

[@Castlebank_Sidings]

Excellent follow up to the last video. Merry Christmas to you and everyone on here. Look forward to seeing more in 2022

[@StefanRadermacher]

The autonomous vehicle reminded me a lot of the cabs they rode around in on Westworld season 3.

[@alainprostbis]

They remind me of the autonomous shuttles you find at some airports. Not sure but at stanstead maybe? Or was it gatwick? or heathrow?

[@Aviertje]

If the footage and history didn't already sell the video, then the music would make it a commercial success regardless. Thank you for the video! Happy holidays!

[@michaelcolin9887]

This is in remarkably fine condition. That's wonderful.

[@YukariAkiyamaTanks]

Merry Christmas Tim! Thank you for all the great videos this year, can't wait for more next year!

[@bxmachine]

Another great film Tim. We were driving through France about 10 years ago and spotted a concrete stucture that went on for miles. It was the track for these trains. It had gaps where new roads had been built but there was miles of it. Thanks for your films this year made under trying circumstances😎😎

[@plymouthmechanic3423]

That is an amazing collection of well maintained vehicles! I'm amazed those experimental trains are still in such superb condition!! Compliments to all the volunteers that keep history alive!

[@DeeLTFL]

Thank you for sharing this wonderful treasure of history. I live in the US, so the likelihood of getting to see all these great places and bits of history is very small. I genuinely look forward to these little adventures. Happy Holidays!

[@SeventhSwell]

Just want to say thanks for all the videos you make. They've helped keep the sprits up around here for the past, ugh, years. Hope you have a merry Christmas and I'm looking forward to next year's videos.

[@icojb25]

This is one of the best channels out there, every episode is something interesting, no fluff, lovely eclectic topics with relevance to anyone interested in a bit of history. Great stuff. Thanks a lot

[@barockychocky]

Well done as always, Tim! Always fun and informative. Thank you for all the wonderful discoveries you share.

[@whitelionstudios1786]

I’d just like to say, the group that owns the Aerotrains, including the Tridim, have been most helpful with working on getting information about the Tridim for yet another group, one I help run, to get the system used in modern applications. Yes, there is some interest gained already.

[@rjweb2]

It's so cool that you managed to find these. Thanks for making this video and have a wonderful Christmas! 🙂

[@RyanEmmett]

Great to see these machines are still being cared for! Happy Christmas Tim.

[@rossstewart9475]

I came for the things and places: I stayed for your warm humour and those wonderful compositions and renditions! Thank you, Tim!

[@CheeseAlarm]

Happy festivities, Tim, and thanks for the videos this year.

[@denisvermeirre1024]

I love the "Thunderbirds-y" music, Tim! Great fun!

[@legerfx5227]

Amazing work. Bravo. I did not know these two survived since the other ones "accidentally" burned. Happy Christmas to you

[@jeanfrancoisriemer1770]

Thank you for doing that insane work of digging up all those marvels of (transportation) history. Keep up the good work. Have a merry christmas and all the best for 2022!!!

[@HenrysAdventures]

Thank you for tacking them down and good to see the rest of the museum! Happy New Year!

[@mumblbeebee6546]

Dear Tim, Thank you for your lovely videos that sprinkle a bit of Frenchness into my life every now and then - you are providing an uplifting public service in times of the pandemic! As for this video, what an icing of the cake of the last episodes, my engineering heart wept with joy! All the best and we’ll see you on the other side of Noël!

[@jtd8719]

Thank you for all the insanity and hilariousness and mad effort you put into your channel. Enjoy your Christmas and New Year, Tim!. Cheers!

[@turingmachine4617]

thanks Tim for all the enjoyment you have us this year. Best wishes to you and yours!

[@annettelaurence5716]

Thank you for all your videos, All the best for 2022

[@fire304]

Merry Christmas Tim! Thank you for what you do!

[@ElectronicsPeddler]

Love your content! Hope 2022 is better so you can get back to making more of these kinds of videos. Thanks so much for keeping those of us who can't travel entertained. Happy New Year Tim!

[@geordieal]

Merry Christmas! Thank you for all your fantastic videos this past year, here’s to 2022!

[@edwardlees4585]

Thanks for the great videos this year Tim. Have a good Christmas.

[@gr1ff1ngton]

Awesome stuff - Merry Christmas Tim & all the best for 2022

[@FlyDrowner]

Utterly spiffing, as ever. Thank you Tim. Felicitations of the season to you & yours ... and everyone else here too ! 🤶🎄🎅🌲🎅🎄🤶

[@davidlathrop9360]

Both these groups deserve high praise indeed. It is one thing to see footage of these vehicles, but another entirely to see them in all their glory!

[@thomasvnl]

Great to see your dedication to pursue the story a bit more to get as close to the tangible remains as possible. Happy holidays!

[@markholttum]

Thanks for all the fantastic content this year, have a great Christmas.

[@leemason4024]

Thanks Tim! Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

[@bev9708]

I gasped out loud and my mouth dropped open at the sight of each of these vehicles!! I sometimes enjoy running along the original track site that runs south west from where you visited the remains of the track, it has been turned into a greenway cycle path that runs from there all the way to Bonnelles. I got a bit teary eyed watching this!!

[@markbulla1851]

Thanks for the video Tim, and Happy Christmas to all!

[@malteplath]

Thank you Tim, and Merry Christmas!

[@TheSpruta]

Wonderful video! Perfect little treat for the holidays. Hope you have a nice break and look forward to videos in the new year.

[@garyheap3780]

Oh my goodness, that is just so cool! What a great end of year video, thank you. Merry Christmas.

[@ealingcommoner]

Have a great Christmas Tim and thanks for all the joy you've brought us this year!

[@TheUglyPrimadonna]

Have a lovely Christmas Tim, and thanks for your videos until now, they’re always a treat for me

[@lordnevets9184]

Merry Xmas Matey. You've helped keep me sane this year. Thank you Sir. Cheers. Love from Liverpool. X

[@NaomiClareNL]

Happy holidays and best wishes for the new year Tim and viewers! Also, thanks for still making videos of interesting subjects in these trying times. They help keep the mind distracted.

[@michaelboys2602]

Great video, Tim. And a very merry Christmas to you and yours!!!

[@KingfisherTalkingPictures]

Such a beautiful design! I loved that 1960s future/Gerry Anderson look. Bravo for finding them.

[@solracer66]

And I loved the Stingray music in the video as well!

[@darrenwilson8042]

Just when you think you couldn't love a YT channel more than you do already..............thanks for a great year Tim - Happy Christmas and all the best to you and yours mate !

[@McRocket]

I do not recall EVER seeing a vehicle of any kind. That has an amazing-looking part, everywhere you look. Incredible. Thank you (and to the volunteer) for making this video. Merry Christmas Timothy!!! ☮

[@jasongarufi8187]

Thanks for another great video Tim Traveller

[@MichaelGrubeMiGru]

Have a great Christmas too! And thanks for all the videos!

[@changearoundthecorner]

Baffled about the almost pristine condition, incredible! Good to see them saved, loved the little people mover. Such a shame that never really caught on, public transport would be more fun if it only was little electric pods 🙂 Almost can't wait to see what you'll be sharing with us next. Happy holidays, Tim!

[@hjalfi]

The Johnnycabs at Heathrow Terminal 5 are their spiritual successor, although they run on flat concrete roads with conventional wheels rather than a raised rail. Has Tim done a video on those? They are very cool.

[@ChibiOlia]

actually, I rode in something similar in a business area in Rotterdam. was very mindbaffling experience that everyone was really low-key about. Unfortunatelly I was there for a job-interview, so my mind was filled with that and I was not able to enjoy the experience as much as I wish I had looking back at it now

[@changearoundthecorner]

@@ChibiOlia Rotterdam isn't super far if we're talking about the one in the Netherlands 🙂, maybe I should check that out next year. Any idea where in the R'dam area that was?

[@ChibiOlia]

@@changearoundthecorner no sadly, it was like 10 years ago. All I remember that it was a business area with tall offices. Sorry. Maybe someone from that area will see the comment and recognize the place

[@changearoundthecorner]

@@ChibiOlia Would be cool if someone sees and knows 🙂 Only thing I remember from that area was a road style people mover. They're cool too, but there's something about monorails and alike - especially those who have some form of track selection or special ways of coping with corners... Just tends to be heaps more fun than most things on wheels, most of that can be summed up in 'has four wheels, a steering wheel and burns through an energy source' almost to no exception. Well, maybe that weird little French car that runs on compressed air, that also 'tickles my fancy' when it comes to weirdly ingenious contraptions 😀

[@RomanoPRODUCTION]

Tim, the most laid-back person on Earth. No stress, never ❤️

[@folksinger2100]

Thanks very much for all your videos of 2021

[@offwithhishead2556]

What a great bunch of people, keeping all these vehicles safe and valued. Happy Crimbo Tim, thanks for another year of fun.

[@oldmanofsacramento]

Merry Christmas sir, happy holiday AND thank you for all the wonderful videos.

[@seamushurley4196]

Great find. Merry Christmas Tim!

[@pacificostudios]

Thank You! I never realized these TACVs carried people. However, in retrospect, radio control and computers were not what they are today, so manual control would have been the best choice. It's a heck of a thing to ride at nearly four miles a minute, like being a test pilot on new jet fighter.

[@aakar1s]

Thank YOU, good sir, for the very enjoyable content. Happy holidays!!

[@WimRijksen]

Thank you Tim, and a very happy Christmas to you.

[@alairlibreinsfreie5785]

thank you for going trough the troubles to find and film those wonderfull machines... they are stuningly beautifull

[@lordsjaak]

i wish you a merry christmas Tim and also a happy new year. and also wonderfull new exploring videos into 2022

[@dryroasted5599]

Those are amazing! They should be in the Louvre! (If the Louvre did experimental vehicles...)

[@gdclemo]

That was excellent, thank you Tim! I look forward to the second part of the other video in 2022. Wishing you a pleasant holiday break to the extent possible under current regional restrictions.

[@BenSenneck92]

Merry Christmas 🎄 What an excellent video!

[@PepperLim]

Oh, I'm so glad volunteers are keeping history alive.

[@PepperLim]

God! It took me forever to recall the name of the song when the Aerotrain was unveiled. Stingray!

[@TheMarkEH]

Your videos are interesting, enlightening and entertaining. Thank you for making them, and Happy Christmas.

[@BramJef]

Best wishes, Tim, thanks for the videos.

[@mcswordfish]

Tim, can I please ask that you find an excuse to continue your Gerry Anderson Themes thing so you play Captain Scarlet? The bass line in that tune is an absolute belter. Thanks for another very interesting video. Nollaig Chridheil agus Bliadhna Mhath Ùr

[@darinfoat8410]

This was fantastic! I always enjoy your videos. Have a happy holiday! :)

[@jgodfrey546]

Great find, sir! Happy Holidays! Stay well...

[@jarvinho]

Thanks Tim. Merry Christmas!

[@BowWowVideo]

This is so good and worth the time, thanks!

[@paulmarynissen]

Merry Christmas Tim, thank you for another year of brilliant and funny content.

[@mig25foxbat]

Absolutely loved this and the previous video. I’m amazed at the condition of those prototypes, they look like you could throw some fuel in and push the throttle up to 11 and off you go!

[@firesurfer]

Double thumbs up!! I always wondered what happened to this experiment. I remember seeing it in the newspaper eons ago.