SNCF Class Z 50000
The SNCF Class Z 50000, also known as the 'Francilian', or 'NAT' is a type of dual-voltage electric multiple unit trainset designed in the 2000s. It is used on the commuter rail system serving Paris and its Île-de-France suburbs on the Transilien network running out of Gare du Nord, Gare de l'Est and Gare Saint-Lazare.
A total of 360 trainsets have been built by Canadian conglomerate Bombardier at its Crespin, France factory between 2006 and 2022. The first set was placed into regular passenger service on 14 December 2009.
The name Francilien is also the demonym for people living in Île-de-France.
History
In 2004, the Syndicat des transports d'Île-de-France began the tendering process for approximately 180 new electric multiple unit trainsets to replace SNCF's aging single-deck suburban fleet, including trainsets nicknamed “inox” and similar push-pull trainsets known as RIB and RIO. SNCF and STIF requested bids for a train design that could operate on a typical journey of in length, including numerous stops lasting 30 to 40 seconds, and able to operate using either or overhead catenary electrification.Alstom, Bombardier, and Siemens all submitted bids for the project. In 2006, SNCF and STIF awarded the contract to Bombardier with a firm order for 172 ‘Francilien’ trainsets at a cost of €1.85 billion, with an option for 200 more.
Bombardier presented the Spacium vehicle at Crespin on 6 February 2009. The first service operated by a Francilien train was on Transilien Line H from Paris Gare du Nord to Luzarches on Sunday 13 December 2009. As of December 2018, 360 trainsets had been ordered, and about 240 were in active service.
Design
The Bombardier vehicles are articulated using Jakobs bogies between the carriages. Seating is in a 3+2 layout, resulting in over 400 seats in a seven-car unit, and over 500 in an eight-car set. Total capacity exceeds 800 including standing passengers at. The vehicle's width is, which is wider than previous trains, achieved by having a relatively short car length of. The inter-carriage passages have wide, open gangway connections, allowing passengers to spread throughout the train. All interior lights are provided by light-emitting diodes, reducing power consumption.Technical characteristics
The dual-current capacity enables the train to serve the entire Ile-de-France network. Its electrical consumption is 20% lower than that of equipment in circulation in 2009. Each bogie has two three-phase asynchronous traction motors. They each operate at a voltage of 380 V and 50 hertz. Traction power is distributed over five motor bogies, one located at each end end of the train set, and between cars 2 and 3, 3 and 4, and 6 and 7 in the long version, or 5 and 6 in the short variant.A train is divided into two distinct sets: cars 1 to 4 on the one hand, and cars 6 to 8 on the other hand. Each of these half-elements has two traction circuits in parallel. This redundancy reduces the risk of trainset unavailability in the event of a breakdown. The Z 50000 are distinguished by another specific feature: in normal operation, only 80% of the available power, or for one element, is used. In the event of failure of one of the engine blocks, the other engines are actuated at 100% in order to ensure the normal operation of the train.
The acceleration reaches for the eight-motor configuration and for the seven-motor configuration. The deceleration reaches during service braking.
Formations
As of 7 June 2025, 360 Z50000 trainsets have been delivered.8 cars sets
The 8-cars trainsets are formed as shown below, with five motorised cars and three non-powered trailer cars. Each trainset has 5 motorized Jakobs bogies and 4 trailer bogies.They are based at the Noisy le Sec, and les Joncherolles/St Denis depots.
- < or > show a pantograph. Cars 2 and 7 were each equipped with one pantograph.
- The third car's vehicle number is prefixed ZZ because it is supported by two motorized Jacobs bogies.
7 cars sets
They are based at Levallois, and le Val Notre Dame/Argenteuil depots.
- < or > show a pantograph. Cars 2 and 9 were each equipped with one pantograph.
- The third car's vehicle number is prefixed ZZ because it is supported by two motorized Jacobs bogies.
Fleet
- Listing Fleet Z50000
Photo gallery
Literature
Category:Bombardier Transportation multiple units
Category:Articulated passenger trains
Category:Electric multiple units of France
Category:Train-related introductions in 2009
Category:25 kV AC multiple units
Category:1500 V DC multiple units of France