SNCF TGV Atlantique

SNCF TGV "Atlantique"
TGV-A set 361 at Gare de Nantes
Stock typeElectric multiple unit
In service1989–present
ManufacturerGEC-Alsthom
Family nameTGV
Refurbished2005–2010
Number built105 trainsets
Number in service28 trainsets
Number scrapped77 trainsets
Formation12 cars (2 power cars, 10 passenger cars)
Capacity485, 459 (After refurbishment)
OperatorsSNCF
Specifications
Train length237.5 m (779 ft 2 in)
WidthMotor car 2.81 m (9 ft 3 in)
Trailer 2.904 m (9 ft 6.3 in)
Wheel diameter
  • 920 mm[1]
  • World record: 1090 mm[1]
Maximum speed300 km/h (186 mph)
Weight444 t (437 long tons; 489 short tons) (empty)
Traction systemThyristor-based current-source inverter by GEC-Alsthom
Power output10,400 kW (13,947 hp) Max, 8,800 kW (11,801 hp) Cont. @ 25 kV AC
3,880 kW (5,203 hp) @ 1.5 kV DC
Gear ratio
  • 1 : 2.1894[1]
  • World record: 1 : 2.012[1]
Electric system(s)
Current collector(s)Pantograph
UIC classificationBo′Bo′+2′+2′+2′+2′+2′+2′+2′+2′+2′+2′+2′+Bo′Bo′
Safety system(s)TVM-430, KVB
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge

The TGV Atlantique (TGV-A) 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 trainsets. The trains were named after the Ligne à Grande Vitesse Atlantique (lit. 'Atlantic high-speed line') that they were originally built for.

105 bi-current sets, numbered 301-405 were built. Entry into service began in 1989. They are 237.5 m (779 ft) long and 2.904 m (9 ft 6.3 in) wide. They weigh 444 t (437 long tons; 489 short tons), and are made up of two power cars and ten carriages with a total of 485 seats. They were built for a maximum speed of 300 km/h (186 mph) with 8,800 kW (11,801 hp) total power under 25 kV.[2]

From 2015 onwards, many of these units have been scrapped with only 28 still in service in 2022. Most of the remaining fleet have been refurbished and mainly see service on slower trains between Paris and Bordeaux that use only a portion of the LGV Atlantique and LGV Sud Europe Atlantique. Fast through services on the route are now operated by the higher capacity TGV "Océane".

Modified unit 325 set the world speed record in 1990 on the new LGV before its opening. Modifications, such as improved aerodynamics, larger wheels (from 920 mm to 1090 mm) and improved braking were made to enable test run speeds of over 500 km/h (311 mph). Its gear ratio was changed from 51⁄27 × 51⁄44 ≈ 1 : 2.1894 to 51⁄27 × 46⁄49 ≈ 1 : 2.012.[1] The set was reduced to two power cars and three carriages to improve the power-to-weight ratio, weighing 250 t (246 long tons; 276 short tons). The TGV Atlantique's world record was beaten on the 3 April 2007, by a TGV POS set on the LGV Est, which reached a top speed of 574.8 km/h (357.2 mph).

Fleet details

Class Number in service Year built Operator Original units Notes
Series 24000 28 1988 – 1992 SNCF 301-405 Bicurrent

See also

Further reading

  • Du Bois, Jean Pierre (June 1988). "SNCF receives first Atlantique TGV train set". RAIL. No. 81. EMAP National Publications. p. 9. ISSN 0953-4563. OCLC 49953699.
  • Perren, Brian (21 September – 4 October 1989). "TGV Atlantique". RAIL. No. 105. EMAP National Publications. pp. 35–42. ISSN 0953-4563. OCLC 49953699.
  • Perren, Brian (8–21 February 1990). "300 mph! Preparing for the 21st century". RAIL. No. 115. EMAP National Publications. pp. 40–43. ISSN 0953-4563. OCLC 49953699.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "Record mondial de vitesse sur rail : De 482.4km/h à 515.3km/h". Revue de l'association française des amis des chemins de fer (405). June 1990.
  2. ^ Hardy, Brian (1997). TGV Handbook (2nd ed.). Harrow Weald: Capital Transport. p. 160. ISBN 1-85414-195-3.


Stub icon

This French railway-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.