Alstom to supply 80 double decker very high speed trains to
SNCF

This event marks the introduction of new double decker stock
whose design fulfils the new requirements for interoperability,
comfort and overall purchase and operational cost. Intended to
operate at speeds of up to 320kph on the French, German, Swiss
and Luxembourg networks, the trains will be fitted with
signalling equipment which is compatible with all European
networks and also with traction equipment adapted to the
different currents of the countries through which they will
travel.

In terms of comfort, the accent has been placed on
accessibility for people with reduced mobility. Over 10% of the
trains total capacity (509 seats) will be reserved for
these passengers, with 52 specially designed seats. The
wheelchair user areas will be larger and corridor width will
favour ease of getting around.

Derived from the TGVTM Duplex, the new trains will benefit
from a proven architecture and a large number of shared
features, enabling development, manufacturing and operating
costs to be reduced, particularly in terms of maintenance.

Alstom has manufactured 70% of the trains which currently
operate at over 300kph worldwide. The companys very high
speed activity is constantly developing, thanks to its
unrivalled experience and technological lead. Since the launch
of the first TGVTM in 1981, 640 very high speed trains have
been sold throughout the world. They have covered over 2.5
billion kilometres (6,500 times the distance between the earth
and the moon), carried 1.5 billion passengers, have passed from
a commercial speed of 260kph to 320kph, and have three world
rail speed records to their name: 380 kph in 1981, 515.3 kph in
1990 and 574.8 kph in 2007.