Alstom and SNCF Mobilités have confirmed their next generation of TGV High Speed Train – the “Avelia Horizon” model by Alstom.
The Alstom Avelia Horizon – The next generation of TGV – Image, Alstom.
The new fleet of 100 trains will consist of two power cars, combined with double-decker articulated cars (akin to the SNCF Duplex family). In a high-capacity version, these trains will be able to seat 740 passengers (with the train configurable with different modules as needed).
In terms of price, these are setting back SNCF a cool €25million per train set (amazingly, 20% cheaper than the last round of purchases), with an additional budget of €190 million for options and services – a total of €2.7 billion.
Maintenance costs are predicted to 30% lower, with 20% energy savings compared to current TGV families.
Henri Poupart-Lafarge, Chief Executive Officer of Alstom states
“This order is the successful fruit of the collaborative work of SNCF and Alstom. Alstom’s Avelia Horizon solution meets the technological, economic and competitiveness challenges of SNCF”
Alstom has a pretty tight hold of High Speed Traction in France, with SNCF using Alstom equipment excuslivly on high speed trains (TGV-PSE, Atlantique, Resenu, Duplex, POS, and EuroDuplex), with Thayls (the Western European high speed train service) also using Alstom equipment exclusively.
SNCF TGV Resenu at Paris Gare du Nord – Image, Economy Class and Beyond
The move sees Alstom keeping SNCF equipment in its fleet for some years to come.
Eurostar is moving away from Alstom equipment (the original Eurostar), to Siemens, whilst DB (the German National operator) prefers Siemens/Bombardier Equipment (for its ICE series of trains).
With a lot of destinations in France and adjacent to the country within that magic “3 hour window” where train offers significant advantages over plane, investment is the name of the game for SNCF (especially with the French rail system being forced to be opened up to competitors).
The new trains will enter service between 2023 and 2033.
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