SNCF Class Z 20500

The SNCF Class Z 20500 is a double-deck, dual-voltage electric multiple unit trainset that are operated by SNCF on the Réseau Express Régional (RER), a hybrid suburban commuter and rapid transit system and the Transilien, a suburban commuter rail system, both serving Paris and its Île-de-France suburbs.

Z 20500
Z 20500 trainset operating on the Transilien Line P line at Gare de l'Est
In service1988–present
ManufacturerANF, CIMT, and GEC Alsthom
Family nameZ 2N series
Constructed1988–1998
Entered service1988
Refurbished2007–2016, 2019–2023
Number in service200 trainsets (934 cars)
Formation4 or 5 cars per trainset
66 trainsets with 4 cars
134 trainsets with 5 cars
Fleet numbersZ 20501/2 to 20899/900
Operator(s)SNCF (RER and Transilien)
Depot(s)
  • Joncherolles
  • Les Ardoines
  • Noisy
  • Villeneuve
Line(s) served
Specifications
Car body constructionStainless steel
Width2.82 m (9 ft 3 in)
Height4.32 m (14 ft 2 in)
Doors2 pairs per side, per car
Maximum speed140 km/h (87 mph)
Traction systemGEC Alsthom GTO VVVF
Traction motors8 Asynchronous Motors 4 FHA 2870
Power output2,800 kW (3,800 hp)
Acceleration2.8 km/(h⋅s) (1.7 mph/s)
Deceleration4.0 km/(h⋅s) (2.5 mph/s) (emergency brake)
Electric system(s)1.5 kV DC or 25 kV AC overhead catenary
Current collection methodPantograph
Braking system(s)Electrodynamic
Safety system(s)Crocodile, KVB
Coupling systemScharfenberg type
Multiple workingOther Z 2N series trains (Z 5600, Z 8800, Z 20500, Z 20900)
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge

The 200 trains were built by a consortium of French manufacturer Alstom (then known as GEC Alsthom), ANF Industrie (which would be purchased by Bombardier in 1989 before the end of the deliveries), and Compagnie industrielle de matériel de transport (CIMT). The final assembly of the trains took place between 1988 and 1998.

They are part of the Z 2N series of trainsets, which were continuously improved over several generations.

Specifications

Formations

The first Z 20500 trainsets delivered included "short" trailer cars that were 24.8 m (81 ft 4 in) in length and nearly identical to those used on the earlier Z 2N series trainsets (Z 5600/Z 8800) and the VB2N. After 1991, the consortium started delivering new "long" trailer cars that were 26.4 m (86 ft 7 in) in length. Over the years, the trailer cars have been shifted around to meet the needs of the different lines.[1]

These are the current configurations of the Z 20500 trainsets:

  • Four long cars: Two motor cars and two long trailer cars. Used on the RER C, RER D, Transilien P, and Transilien R. Assigned to the Ardoines, Joncherolles, Noisy and Villeneuve depots.
  • Five long cars: Two motor cars and three long trailer cars. Used on the RER D and Transilien R. Assigned to the Joncherolles and Villeneuve depots.
  • Five short cars, including VB2N car: Two motor cars and two short trailer cars, extended by adding a VB2N car in 2003–2004 and in 2009–2012. Used on the RER D and Transilien R. Assigned to the Joncherolles depot.
  • Five long cars, including VB2N car: Two motor cars and two long trailer cars, extended by adding a VB2N car in 2013. Used on the RER D and Transilien R. Assigned to the Joncherolles depot.

Z 92050
Class Z 92050 in original TER Nord-Pas-de-Calais livery at Arras station

At the start of the 1990s, the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region was looking to purchase double-deck electric multiple unit trainsets to add capacity on its busiest TER routes. In 1994, the region decided to join the Île-de-France's Z 20500 order, ordering six trainsets to be called the Class Z 92050. The fleet is delivered from the end of May to December 1996.[2] The Z 92050 trains are technically identical to the Z 20500, but with a more comfortable 2+2 seating (instead of the 3+2 seating in Z 20500) and the addition of a bathroom in the motor car.

The equipment received heavy use for nearly two decades but as more modern double-deck equipment was delivered (Z 23500, TER 2N NG, and Regio 2N), it became more challenging to have a small and unique type of equipment. So, in December 2012, the Syndicat des transports d'Île-de-France (STIF) offered to purchase the Z 92050 fleet for €16.5 million to be split evenly by STIF and SNCF, operator of the Transilien network.[3] The equipment received some modifications to make them suitable for one operator and then deployed on Transilien Line P.

Exterior
  • Z 20500 on RER C in original Île-de-France livery
  • Transilien running MERI service
  • Z 20500 in Transilien livery in Cesson
  • Full view of Z 20500 in Transilien livery near Moret-sur-Loing
  • Z 20500 in Carmillon/STIF livery at Pontoise station
  • Z 20500 in newest Île-de-France Mobilités livery at Malesherbes station

Interior
  • Original interior of Z 20500 train
  • Original interior of Z 92050 train
  • Z 20500 interior after first renovation
  • Z 20500 interior after second renovation
  • Operators compartment
  • Customer information display
  • Customer information display

References
  1. "Les Z2N - transportparis - Le webmagazine des transports parisiens". transportparis.canalblog.com (in French). 23 November 2013. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  2. Constant, Olivier (2014). Les automotrices bicourant et les trams-trains. p. 31.
  3. délibération no 2012/393 du conseil du STIF du 13 décembre 2012, pages 7 et 8.

Bibliography
  • Collardey, Bernard (November 1996). "Des Z 2N renforcent le parc TER du Nord-Pas-de-Calais"". Rail Passion. Vol. 12.
  • Redoutey, Denis (22 November 2012). Le matériel moteur SNCF en 2012. Saint-Étienne: La Vie du Rail. pp. 159–160. ISBN 978-2-918758-60-0.
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