SNCF TGV Thalys PBA

SNCF TGV "Réseau"
TGV-R set approching Paris Gare du Nord
In service	1993 -
Manufacturer	GEC-Alsthom
Family name	TGV
Number built	60 trainsets
Formation	10 cars (2 power cars, 8 passenger cars)
Capacity	377, 361 (after refurbishment)
Operator(s)	SNCF Thalys
Specifications
Train length	200.19 m (656.8 ft)
Car length	(?)
Width	Motor car 2.81 m (9 ft 3 in) Trailer 2.904 m (9 ft 6.3 in)
Maximum speed	320 km/h (199 mph) (Service)
Weight	383 t (377 long tons; 422 short tons) (dual voltage)
Power output	8,800 kW (11,800 hp) @ 25 kV
Power supply	(?)
Electric system(s)	Overhead lines 25 kV 50 Hz AC 1,500 V DC 3 kV DC
Current collection method	Pantograph
UIC classification	Bo'Bo'+2'2'2'2'2'2'2'2'2'+Bo'Bo'
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge

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 of 25 kV AC and 1,500 V DC (also used in the Netherlands), the triple voltage sets can operate under the Belgian and Italian 3 kV DC supplies.

They are formed of two power cars (8,800 kW or 11,800 hp under 25 kV—like the TGV Atlantique) and eight carriages, giving a capacity of 377 seats. They have a top speed of 300 km/h (186 mph). They are 200 m (656 ft) long and are 2.904 m (9 ft 6.3 in) wide. The dual-voltage sets weigh 383 t (377 long tons; 422 short tons), and owing to axle-load restrictions in Belgium the triple-voltage sets have a series of modifications, such as the replacement of steel with aluminium and hollow axles, to reduce the weight to under 17 t (16.7 long tons; 18.7 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.

After some ten years of successful service, the interior of TGV Réseau sets became outdated and needed a refurbishment.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: