SNCF TGV Réseau
Encyclopedia
The SNCF
TGV Réseau (TGV-R) trains were built by Alstom
between 1992 and 1996. These TGV
trainsets are based on the earlier TGV Atlantique
.
The first Réseau ("Network") sets entered service in 1993. Fifty dual-voltage trainsets were built in 1992-1994, numbered 501-550. A further 40 triple-voltage trainsets, numbered 4501-4540, were built in 1994-1996. The last ten triple voltage units carry the Thalys
livery and are known as Thalys PBA (Paris
-Brussels
-Amsterdam
) sets. As well as using standard French voltages of 25 kV AC and 1,500 V DC (also used in the Netherlands
), the triple voltage sets can operate under the Belgian
and Italian
3 kV DC supplies.
They are formed of two power cars (8800 kW under 25 kV—like the TGV Atlantique) and eight carriages
, giving a capacity of 377 seats. They have a top speed of 300 km/h (186 mph). They are 200 m (656 ft) long and are 2.904 metre wide. The dual-voltage sets weigh 383 t (377 LT), and owing to axle-load restrictions in Belgium the triple-voltage sets have a series of modifications, such as the replacement of steel
with aluminium
and hollow axles, to reduce the weight to under 17 t (16.7 LT) per axle.
Owing to early complaints of uncomfortable pressure changes when entering tunnels at high speed on the LGV Atlantique
, the Réseau sets are pressure-sealed.
Three possible interiors were presented to the public between 2002 and 2003 in different stations:
At the end of the Train Capitale exposition in Paris, MBD Design and Christian Lacroix were announced as the winning design.
Work started on the first dual-voltage sets in 2004 at SNCF's Hellemmes workshops, near Lille. In 2006 the last dual-voltage set was finished. Between 2008 and 2009 the three-voltage sets will also be refurbished in the same design. The refurbished sets can be distinguished from the non-refurbished ones by: the slightly changed livery; the fittings in the coaches, which are in new colours (red for 2nd class, green for 1st class and silver for the bar) and the reflecting stripes on the sides of the motorcars.
Although SNCF announced in July 2007 that the Lacroix-design would not be continued because some materials vibrated at 300 km/h (186 mph), this was later changed: the Lacroix-design will be applied to all TGV Réseau sets.
SNCF
The SNCF , is France's national state-owned railway company. SNCF operates the country's national rail services, including the TGV, France's high-speed rail network...
TGV Réseau (TGV-R) trains were built by Alstom
Alstom
Alstom is a large multinational conglomerate which holds interests in the power generation and transport markets. According to the company website, in the years 2010-2011 Alstom had annual sales of over €20.9 billion, and employed more than 85,000 people in 70 countries. Alstom's headquarters are...
between 1992 and 1996. These TGV
TGV
The TGV is France's high-speed rail service, currently operated by SNCF Voyages, the long-distance rail branch of SNCF, the French national rail operator....
trainsets are based on the earlier TGV Atlantique
SNCF TGV Atlantique
The TGV Atlantique is a class of high-speed trains used in France by SNCF; they were built by Alstom between 1988 and 1992, and were the second generation of TGV trains, following on from the TGV Sud-Est....
.
The first Réseau ("Network") sets entered service in 1993. Fifty dual-voltage trainsets were built in 1992-1994, numbered 501-550. A further 40 triple-voltage trainsets, numbered 4501-4540, were built in 1994-1996. The last ten triple voltage units carry the Thalys
Thalys
Thalys is an international high-speed train operator originally built around the high-speed line between Paris and Brussels. This track is shared with Eurostar trains that go from Paris or Brussels to London via Lille and the Channel Tunnel and with French domestic TGV trains. Thalys reaches...
livery and are known as Thalys PBA (Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
-Brussels
Brussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
-Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
) sets. As well as using standard French voltages of 25 kV AC and 1,500 V DC (also used in the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
), the triple voltage sets can operate under the Belgian
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
and Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
3 kV DC supplies.
They are formed of two power cars (8800 kW under 25 kV—like the TGV Atlantique) and eight carriages
Railroad car
A railroad car or railway vehicle , also known as a bogie in Indian English, is a vehicle on a rail transport system that is used for the carrying of cargo or passengers. Cars can be coupled together into a train and hauled by one or more locomotives...
, giving a capacity of 377 seats. They have a top speed of 300 km/h (186 mph). They are 200 m (656 ft) long and are 2.904 metre wide. The dual-voltage sets weigh 383 t (377 LT), and owing to axle-load restrictions in Belgium the triple-voltage sets have a series of modifications, such as the replacement of steel
Steel
Steel is an alloy that consists mostly of iron and has a carbon content between 0.2% and 2.1% by weight, depending on the grade. Carbon is the most common alloying material for iron, but various other alloying elements are used, such as manganese, chromium, vanadium, and tungsten...
with aluminium
Aluminium
Aluminium or aluminum is a silvery white member of the boron group of chemical elements. It has the symbol Al, and its atomic number is 13. It is not soluble in water under normal circumstances....
and hollow axles, to reduce the weight to under 17 t (16.7 LT) per axle.
Owing to early complaints of uncomfortable pressure changes when entering tunnels at high speed on the LGV Atlantique
LGV Atlantique
The LGV Atlantique is a high-speed railway line running from Paris to Western France. It opened in 1989-1990. It divides into two parts at Courtalain, one going westward to Le Mans , the second one going southwestward to Tours .-Route:The line leaves Gare Montparnasse to cross Paris's southern...
, the Réseau sets are pressure-sealed.
Renovation
After some ten years of successful service, the interior of TGV Réseau sets became outdated and needed a refurbishment. This refurbishment was part of the TGV Est project, as the dual-voltage sets were to assure the domestic services there. The same interiors would also be used in coaches for POS sets (which were coaches of former TGV-Réseau sets).Three possible interiors were presented to the public between 2002 and 2003 in different stations:
- Recaro which teamed up with Brand Company (designer of the "snail" TGV logo)
- MBD Design (designer of the noses of Alstom's Prima locomotives and the TGV Duplex) which teamed up with fashion designer Christian LacroixChristian LacroixChristian Marie Marc Lacroix is a French fashion designer. The name may also refer to the company he founded.-Early life:Lacroix was born in Arles, Bouches-du-Rhône in southern France. At a young age he began sketching historical costumes and fashions. Lacroix graduated from high school in 1969...
. - Antolin which teamed up with Kenzo.
At the end of the Train Capitale exposition in Paris, MBD Design and Christian Lacroix were announced as the winning design.
Work started on the first dual-voltage sets in 2004 at SNCF's Hellemmes workshops, near Lille. In 2006 the last dual-voltage set was finished. Between 2008 and 2009 the three-voltage sets will also be refurbished in the same design. The refurbished sets can be distinguished from the non-refurbished ones by: the slightly changed livery; the fittings in the coaches, which are in new colours (red for 2nd class, green for 1st class and silver for the bar) and the reflecting stripes on the sides of the motorcars.
Although SNCF announced in July 2007 that the Lacroix-design would not be continued because some materials vibrated at 300 km/h (186 mph), this was later changed: the Lacroix-design will be applied to all TGV Réseau sets.
Fleet details
| Class | No. in Service | Year Built | Operator | Current Units | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Series 28000 | 30 | 1992–1996 | SNCF | 501, 503-514, 534-550 | Dual-voltage |
| Series 38000 | 27 | 4501-4506, 4510-4529, 4551 | Triple-voltage | ||
| 9 | Thalys | 4532-4540 |
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