France: On September 9, the manufacturer showed a coupler of the head and double-deck passenger cars. From 2024, they should begin to replace the 3rd generation Duplex trains of the SNCF fleet, which have been produced and operated as part of the TGV service since the mid-90s of the last century.
The presented rolling stock will soon be sent to the Czech Republic, to the test circuit in Velim, where it will be dynamically tested until the end of 2022. The train will spend next year in France, where it will undergo trial operation without passengers on the TGV network.
Avelia Horizon (classified by SNCF as TGV M), as well as Duplex trains, will be made using the push-pull system: the head cars are traction ones, in other words they are electric locomotives. The maximum commercial speed should be 350 km/h. It is possible to vary the composition from 7 to 9 cars, as well as the modular solution of the cabin should ensure its prompt reconfiguration for the class of transportation required by the customer. At the same time, the manufacturer has not yet shown full-scale interior samples, however, in 2021, Alstom received the German Design Award for his project. Passenger capacity will be increased by 20% compared to Duplex.
Renderings of the perspective interior design in the Avelia Horizon train. Source: Alstom
Alstom points out that the modular approach to the creation of the train will reduce the cost of purchasing the Avelia Horizon by 20% and the cost of maintaining by 30%. Energy consumption relative to the Duplex train should also be reduced by 20%, a result expected by lightening the weight of the train, improving aerodynamics and installing more efficient traction equipment.
The ability to monitor the components condition in real time and perform predictive analysis for maintenance is integrated. The environmental impact is also highlighted: CO2 emissions from the operation of such trains should be reduced by 32%, and the vehicles themselves, according to Alstom, are 97% composed of components that can be recycled.
In total, SNCF ordered 115 of these trains: in 2018, a contract worth €2.7 bln was signed for 100 units for transportation within France, and this year Alstom has received another €590 mln contract for 15 trains for SNCF’s international services.
The head motor car of the Avelia Horizon train. Source: Alstom
Alstom notes that it has already invested €50 mln in the creation of new production lines, and also updated the production process in terms of standards and principles of lean manufacturing. As to the manufacturer, 10 of its 16 sites in France take part in the production of Avelia Horizon trains At the same time, 11 of them were previously indicated: the facility in Reichshoffen, which was bought by CAF in August, was engaged in the crash system studies.
Earlier this year, Alstom showed another train from the Avelia family, the Liberty (Acela II), which is being delivered to the Amtrak operator in US under a 2016 contract.
