New TGV Duplex train with larger capacity

To face rush hours and to meet the needs of additional seats in the TGV trains on the Paris - Marseille links (Mediterranean TGV), the S.N.C.F. (French National Railway Company) is studying the possibility of increasing the capacity of the TGV Duplex trains. Thus, the traffic on these High Speed railways will be fluxed.

Currently, to increase the capacity, two TGV trains (Sud-Est, Réseau, Duplex) can be coupled, forming a Multiple Unit (MU). Hence, a twofold capacity is obtained.

To increase the number of available seats, the idea which seems to be natural is the addition of cars for each TGV train. This technical solution leads to several problems. Indeed, the lengthening of the train implies a rise of its weight and more severe constraints on the infrastructures. The stations (platforms for the travellers) and the industrial maintenance plants for the TGV must be modified consequently.

That is why the working hypothesis consists of a removal of the two power coaches coupled in MU with two trailer cars especially designed for these TGV trains with larger capacity. These additional trailer cars are to receive powered bogies to mitigate the absence of the powered bogies of the two removed power coaches. Thus, each TGV Duplex will preserve its current power necessary for a commercial speed of 300 kph.

These new TGV Duplex trains will have a total capacity of more than 1,100 seats. They will be brought into service in 2005 or 2006.

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