SNCF TGV Réseau

SNCF TGV "Réseau"

TGV-R set at Paris Gare du Nord
In service 1993 -
Manufacturer GEC-Alsthom
Family name TGV
Number built 60 trainsets
Formation 10 cars (2 power cars, 8 passenger cars)
Capacity 377, 361 (after refurbishment)
Operator(s) SNCF
Thalys
Specifications
Train length 200.19 m (656.8 ft)
Car length (?)
Width Motor car 2.81 m (9 ft 3 in)
Trailer 2.904 m (9 ft 6.3 in)
Maximum speed 320 km/h (199 mph) (Service)
Weight 383 t (377 long tons; 422 short tons)
(dual voltage)
Power output 8,800 kW (11,800 hp) @ 25 kV
Power supply (?)
Electric system(s) Overhead lines 25 kV 50 Hz AC
1,500 V DC 3 kV DC
Current collection method Pantograph
UIC classification Bo'Bo'+2'2'2'2'2'2'2'2'2'+Bo'Bo'
Track gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge

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 (8,800 kW or 11,800 hp 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 m (9 ft 6.3 in) wide. The dual-voltage sets weigh 383 t (377 long tons; 422 short tons), 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 long tons; 18.7 short tons) 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.

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After some ten years of successful service, the interior of TGV Réseau sets became outdated and needed a refurbishment.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:

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

See also

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