SNCF TGV Réseau
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| SNCF TGV "Réseau" | |
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 TGV-R set at Paris Gare du Nord |
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| In service | 1992 - |
| Manufacturer | GEC-Alsthom |
| Family name | TGV |
| Number built | 60 trainsets |
| Formation | 10 cars |
| Capacity | 377 |
| Operator | SNCF Thalys |
| Specifications | |
| Width | 2.9m |
| Maximum speed | 300 km/h (Service) |
| Weight | 383 tonnes (bi-current) |
| Gauge | Standard gauge - 4 ft 8½ (1,435 mm) |
| Voltage | 25 kV AC 1500 V DC 3000 V DC |
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, the triple voltage sets can operate under the Low Countries' and Italian 3 kV DC supplies.
They are formed of two power cars (8,800 kW under 25 kV—as TGV Atlantique) and eight carriages, giving a capacity of 377 seats. They have a top speed of 300 km/h. They are 200 m (656 ft) long and are 2.90 m (9.5 ft) wide. The bi-current sets weigh 383 tonnes (422 short tons), and owing to axle-load restrictions in Belgium the tri-current sets have a series of modifications, such as the replacement of steel with aluminium and hollow axles, to reduce the weight to under 17 tonnes (19.7 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.
[edit] 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After some ten years of successful service, the interior of TGV Réseau sets became outdated and needed a refurbishment.This refurbishment was part of the TGV Est project, as the dual-voltage sets were to assure the domestic services there.The same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 Lacroix.
- 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 at 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, albeit with another design (read below). The refurbished sets can be distinguished from the non-refurbished ones by the slightly changed livery: the class decorations are in new colours (red for 2nd class, green for 1st class and silver for the bar) and the reflecting stripe on the side of the motorcars.
In July 2007 SNCF announced that the Lacroix-design would not be continued.In other words: the other sets which still have to refurbished will get another design. According to SNCF, it was not a case of taste nor colour, but a general conception error: some materials start to vibrate at speeds of 320 km/h, which affects comfort.
[edit] Gallery
 Thalys PBA alongside PBKA at Paris Gare du Nord |
 Triple-voltage TGV-R set 4510 at Marseille St-Charles station |
 1st class interior of a refurbished TGV-Réseau set |
 2nd class interior of a refurbished TGV-Réseau set |
[edit] External Links
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