1st Gen TGV retirment

Whilst "Modern Traction" isn't really my bag I thought I was surprised there has been no mention that the 1st Generation of the French TGV trains are in the process of being retired and that along with celebrating almost 40 years of service one of the original units has been re-painted into the original iconic orange livery to mark the occasion.

One of several pictures can be found on Railpicures.net: https://railpictures.net/photo/726885/

 

What was wrong with the first generation of Eurostars for them last so much less time than the first generation of TGVs?

 

Think having 3rd rail capability and then it not being needed made them over complicated. Shame though was proven they could be used on other mainlines with GNER service

 

The tunnel is quite damp as well apparently, so that hasn't helped them either.

 

Obviously the leasing companies have looked at the engineering options, but take out the overhead stuff and 3rd rail stock for the London Weymouth/Brighton/Portsmouth services. Or is there a gauging issue?

 

They are wider than UK stock, which is why they had retracting foot steps to avoid trimming platforms across Kent. The stepping difference at Waterloo was designed for 373's and was wider than UK domestic stock. ( There were special train crew instructions to "mind the wide gap" for the route learning saloons before Waterloo International opened.) I think that they ran as out of gauge trains ( 1X-- ) on the ECML with a host of restrictions and line prohibitions.
Also their power consumption was considerably higher than any other 3rd rail stock and required a complete power supply equipment upgrade between Dollands Moor and Waterloo via Maidstone East and Sevenoaks.

Cheers, Neil