Puneet Varma (Editor)

SNCF Class Z 5300

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In service
  
1965–present

Refurbishment
  
1978, 1992, 2005–2007

Number built
  
145 cars

Constructed
  
1965–1975

Scrapped
  
2003–

SNCF Class Z 5300

Manufacturer
  
Carel et Fouché, MTE (fr)/Francorail, Fives-Lille, OC Oerlikon

SNCF Class Z 5300 are three and four car Electric Multiple Unit type for Paris commuter and regional services. They were built by Carel et Fouche, MTE/Francorail, Fives-Lille and OC Oerlikon between 1965-1968 (1st batch) and 1972-1975 (2nd batch). Many of these trains have been withdrawn starting from 2003.

Contents

Characteristics

These stainless steel-bodied EMUs were built as 4-car units including a driving motor car, two intermediate trailers and a driving trailer. However, some units were shortened to three or two cars by removing one or both of the intermediate trailers. Up to three elements can be coupled together to form a 12-car trainset. The power supply is 1500 V DC with electromechanical traction equipment.

Livery

As the use of stainless steel eliminates the need for painting, the units are basically silvery, with originally only an orange stripe between the headlights. They are therefore nicknamed petit gris (i.e. "little gray", but also the name of a snail), couscoussière, "silver arrow" or "tin can". However, as some units were modified, the doors were painted red, light blue or dark blue according to the services they were intended for. Since 2011, only red-doored units subsist; red doors mean that the unit is fitted with EAS (exploitation à agent seul, i.e. "single crew operation"), and may be operated without a guard.

Current

As of 2015, Z 5300s are operating on two commuter services in the south-east of Paris:

  • Melun-Juvisy (RER D), and
  • Melun-Montereau through Héricy (Transilien, R line).
  • Discontinued

    This class used to operate on many other services, but has been replaced by more recent stock. Such services include:

  • Paris-Lyon-Montereau,
  • Paris-Lyon-Montargis,
  • Paris-Montparnasse-Rambouillet,
  • Paris-Montparnasse-Plaisir-Grignon,
  • Commuter services on the southern part of RER C,
  • Paris-Montparnasse-Chartres,
  • Paris-Montparnasse-Le Mans,
  • Paris-Austerlitz-Orleans,
  • Shuttle services between Orleans and Les Aubrais (connection with mainline services) with 3-car elements,
  • Shuttle services between Tours and Saint Pierre des Corps on the same principle.
  • References

    SNCF Class Z 5300 Wikipedia