SNCF TGV Thalys PBKA

The Thalys PBKA is a high-speed train derived from the French TGV. It operates the Thalys service between Paris, Brussels, Cologne (German: Köln) and Amsterdam, forming the abbreviation PBKA.

Thalys PBKA
A Thalys PBKA at Eilendorf.
In service	1998–present
Manufacturer	GEC-Alsthom
Family name	TGV
Constructed	1995–1998
Number built	17 trainsets
Formation	10 cars
Capacity	377 seats
Operator(s)	Thalys
Specifications
Train length	200 m (656 ft 2 in)
Maximum speed	320 km/h (199 mph) (Design) 300 km/h (186 mph) (Service)
Weight	383 t (377 long tons; 422 short tons)
Power output	8,800 kW (11,800 hp) 3,680 kW (4,930 hp)
Electric system(s)	Catenary 25 kV 50 Hz AC 15 kV  16.7 Hz AC 1,500 V DC 3,000 V DC
Current collection method	Pantograph
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge

Unlike Thalys PBA sets, the PBKA sets were built exclusively for the Thalys service. Their power cars are technologically similar to those of TGV Duplex sets, but the trains do not have double-deck carriages. They have eight carriages and are 200 m (656 ft) long, weighing a total of 385 tonnes. They have a capacity of 377 seats.

All of the trains are quadri-current, capable of operating under 25 kV 50 Hz AC (LGVs and a part of the French lignes classiques), 15 kV 16.7 Hz AC (Germany), 3 kV DC (Belgium) and 1.5 kV DC (the Netherlands and the remainder of the French lignes classiques).

Their maximum speed in regular service is 300 km/h (186 mph) under 25 kV, with two power cars supplying 8,800 kW. When operating under 15 kV AC or 1,500 V DC, the power output drops to 3,680 kW,[1] insufficient to reach 300 km/h in commercial use. Although their power-to-weight ratio allows a 250 km/h operation under 15 kV AC,[1] further constraints resulted in imposing a limit of 200 km/h on these trains in Germany.[2]

Seventeen trains were ordered: nine by SNCB/NMBS, six by SNCF and two by NS. Deutsche Bahn contributed to financing two of the SNCB sets.