Voiture de banlieue à 2 niveaux
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 VB2N #95 at Saint Lazare in 2005. |
|
| Power type | passenger car |
|---|---|
| Builder | ANF |
| Build date | 1974 to 1984 |
| Gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8½ in) |
| Fuel type | Electric |
| Top speed | 140 km/h |
| Career | SNCF |
| Number in class | 589 |
| Number | variable |
Voiture de Banlieue à 2 Niveaux, VB2N is a type of double-deck passenger car used on French railways on suburban rail in Île-de-France.
The coaches, built from 1974, are the successors of the Chemin de Fer de l'État's 1933 built Voiture État à 2 étages. They are used on suburban lines from Gare Saint-Lazare, Gare du Nord and Gare Montparnasse. They were also used from Gare de l'Est to Tournan until the RER E was built.
From the late 2006-early 2007, VB2Ns will be pushed/pulled by SNCF's new BB 27300 electric locomotive.
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[edit] Layout
VB2N are reversible consists. Although VB2Ns are not powered, there is at the one end of the train is a driving cabin. This means drivers no longer have to turn engines around their coaches.
Passenger space is divided in two levels. Each end of coach is a vestibule from which two separate sets of stairs lead to the upper and lower-decks. The walkway and seating on the lower deck is situated below platform level as to gain space and avoid unnecessary height. The upper-deck is relatively spacious as height is restricted although adults may walk standing up.
All coaches are toilets apart form both end carriages.
[edit] Use
[edit] Réseau Saint-Lazare
On the Gare Saint-Lazare suburban network, VB2Ns are used on:
- Groupe IV (Gare Saint-Lazare-Mantes-la-Jolie via Conflans),
- Groupe V (Gare Saint-Lazare-Mantes-la-Jolie via Poissy),
- Groupe VI (Gare Saint-Lazare-Pontoise/Boissy-l'Aillerie/Gisors).
They are pushed or pulled by BB 17000 (numbered 17001 to 50, 56 à 58, 61, 64, 65, 78 to 80 and 17102 to 105) since Réseau Saint-Lazare is electrified in 25 kV current.
Saint-Lazare VB2Ns have three numbering schemes, 90 upwards for coaches in original orange and grey livery, 101 upwards for coaches in IdF blue, white and red livery and 201 upwards for coaches in Transilien livery.
[edit] Réseau Nord
On the Gare du Nord suburban network, VB2Ns are used on:
- Gare du Nord-Pontoise
- Gare du Nord-Persan-Beamont via Ermont-Eaubonne
- Gare du Nord-Persan-Beamont via Monsoult-Maffiers
- Gare du Nord-Luzarches
- Gare du Nord-Creil via Auvers-sur-Oise
Nord VB2Ns are pushed or pulled by BB 17000 (numbered 17051 to 55, 59, 60, 62, 63, 66 to 77, 81 to 17101) as Gare de Nord line's are electrified in 25 kV current. They are numbered from N 01.
[edit] Réseau Montparnasse
On the Gare Montparnasse suburban network, VB2Ns are used on:
- Gare du Montparnasse-Rambouillet
- Gare du Montparnasse-Dreux
- Gare du Montparnasse-Mantes-la-Jolie via Versailles-Chantiers
They are pushed and pulled by BB 25000 and BB 8500 as the lines originating from Gare Montparnasse change voltage at Plaisir-Grignon. Voltage changes from 1500 V used on some suburban lines (such as part of the RER) and 25 kV used on mainlines in Northern France.
Montparnasse VB2Ns' nuùber scheme is different tpo that of the other two VB2N owner networks. Their running number begins with a number representing the number of coaches the consist of VB2N possesses, followed by a letter, beginning with A.
