Manufacturer Bombardier, Crespin Height 4,280 mm (14 ft 1 in) | Width 3,060 mm (10 ft 0 in) | |
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Capacity Seated: 405†/503*
Standing: 468†/552* (at 4 per square metre) Train length 94,300 mm (309 ft 5 in)†
112,500 mm (369 ft 1 in)* Car length 16.53 m (54 ft 3 in) (end car)
13.24 m (43 ft 5 in) (intermediate cars) | ||
The SNCF Z 50000 is an electric multiple unit train built by Bombardier Transportation (manufacturer's designation SPACIUM 3.O6) for the French rail operator SNCF, for use under Transilien operations in the Île-de-France.
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It is commonly called ‘Francilien’, and sometimes ‘NAT’ (for French: «Nouvelle Automotrice Transilien», which was its project name).
History and design
In 2004, STIF began the tendering process for approximately 180 new trains, Nouvelle Automotrice Transilien (NAT) to replace the railcars nicknamed INOX: SNCF Z 5300; Z 6100; and trains using RIB-RIO (Rame Inox Banlieue, Rame Inox Omnibus.) push-push trainsets. Alstom, Siemens and Bombardier were initial involved in the bidding process.
In 2006 Bombardier obtained a contract from SNCF and STIF for 172 ‘Francilien’ trainsets, with an option for 200 more. (cost €1.850 billion.) The design was for a train operating a typical journey of 30 to 50 kilometres (31 mi) length, including numerous stop lasting 30 to 40 seconds, and able to operate from either 1.5 kV DC or 25 kV AC overhead line electrification.
The vehicles use an articulated design using Jakobs bogie intercarriage articulation. of seven or eight carriages; seating layout is [3+2] formation giving over 400 seats in a seven-car unit, over 500 in an eight-car set. Total occupation exceeds 800 (or 1000 in eight-car trains) including standing passengers at 4 per square meter.
The vehicle's width is 3.06 metres (10.0 ft), wider than previous trains, which is achieved by having a short standard carriage's length of 13.24 metres (43.4 ft). The inter-carriage passages are wide, limiting bottlenecking.
All interior lights are provided by light-emitting diodes (LED), so power consumption is lessened.
Livery
The Z 50000's appearance refers to three main entities: green leaves evoke Transilien, red doors evoke SNCF, and a long grey banner on each side evokes the Syndicat des transports d'Île-de-France (STIF).
Introduction and operations
Bombardier presented the Spacium vehicle at Crespin on 6 February 2009. The first unit delivered for commercial operations to the SNCF was the unit ‘Z 50015/16’, also numbered #8, on 21 October 2009.
The first service operated by a Francilien train was on Line H from Paris Gare du Nord to Luzarches on Sunday 13 December 2009.