Voiture de banlieue à 2 niveaux
| VB2N | |
|---|---|
.jpg) VB2N at Gare de Lavilletertre in 2011. | |
| Manufacturer | CIMT / ANF |
| Constructed | 1974 to 1984 |
| Number built | 589 |
| Specifications | |
| Maximum speed | 140 km/h (87 mph) |
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) |
The VB2N (voiture de banlieue à 2 niveaux, "two-deck suburban car") is a double-deck passenger car used on Transilien suburban rail services in the Île-de-France region of France.[1]
The coaches, built from 1974, are the successors of the Chemins de Fer de l'État's 1933 built Voiture État à 2 étages. They are used on Gare Saint-Lazare network and Gare Montparnasse network. They were also used between Gare de l'Est and Gare de Tournan until the RER E was built and Gare du Nord network until the arrival of the Z 50000 who replaced them by the end of 2012.
From the late 2006-early 2007, VB2Ns are pushed/pulled by new SNCF Class BB 27300 electric locomotives (Gare Saint-Lazare and Gare Montparnasse networks), and from 2012, by new SNCF Class BB 7600 (Gare Montparnasse network only). They are also pushed/pulled by SNCF Class BB 17000 on Gare Saint-Lazare networks.
Description
VB2N are reversible consists. Although VB2Ns are not powered, there is a control car at one end of the train so that the locomotive does not have to run around its coaches.
Passenger space is divided in two levels. Each end of coach is a vestibule from which two separate sets of stairs lead to the upper and lower-decks. The walkway and seating on the lower deck is situated below platform level to gain space and avoid unnecessary height. The upper-deck is relatively spacious as height is restricted although adults may walk standing up.
All coaches have toilets apart from both end carriages.
Next stop is announced vocally and visually.
Speed is limited to 140 km/h (87 mph).
Use
On lines linked to Gare Saint-Lazare
On the Gare Saint-Lazare suburban network, VB2Ns are used on:
- Groupe IV (Gare Saint-Lazare-Gare de Mantes-la-Jolie via Gare de Conflans),
- Groupe V (Gare Saint-Lazare-Gare de Mantes-la-Jolie via Gare de Poissy),
- Groupe VI (Gare Saint-Lazare-Gare de Pontoise/Gare de Boissy-l'Aillerie/Gare de Gisors).
They are pushed or pulled by SNCF Class BB 17000 (numbered 17001 to 50, 56 à 58, 61, 64, 65, 78 to 80 and 17102 to 105).
Saint-Lazare VB2Ns have three numbering schemes, 90 upwards for coaches in original orange and grey livery, 101 upwards for coaches in IdF blue, white and red livery and 201 upwards for coaches in Transilien livery.
On lines linked to Gare Montparnasse
On the Gare Montparnasse suburban network, VB2Ns are used on:
- Gare Montparnasse – Gare de Rambouillet
- Gare Montparnasse – Gare de Dreux
- Gare Montparnasse – Gare de Mantes-la-Jolie via Gare de Versailles-Chantiers
They were pushed and pulled by SNCF Class BB 25000 and BB 8500 before 2006, now by SNCF Class BB 27300, and SNCF Class BB 7600.
Montparnasse VB2Ns' number scheme is different than the one of the other two VB2N owner networks. Their running number begins with a number representing the number of coaches the consist of VB2N possesses, followed by a letter, beginning with A.
References
- ↑ European Railways. 28-31. R.Spark. 1977. p. 146.
External links
