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Design: two approaches for a concept
Although they share a common concept, the designs of regional trains and of high-speed trains each
present their own characteristics.
The key word for Coradia is transparency. The interior is divided up to favour total fl uidity and thereby
reinforces the feeling of safety on board. Passengers should be able to move from one end to the other
of the trainset without encountering an obstacle. Open staircases, wide glassed areas, ‘sky domes’:
the Alstom Transport Design&Styling studio’s research is constantly focused on obtaining more light.
A bias that also concerns the train’s exterior appearance: the train must be ‘friendly’, welcoming and able
to allow maximum circulation of light. The Duplex has a different design approach. Although, of course,
everything has been conceived to optimise passenger movement, a degree of privacy is also sought,
particularly in the lower compartments. The interior design employs warm materials, creating a ‘cocoon’
effect that lends an impression of calm and comfort. This concern for conviviality is also to be found
in the design of the train’s structure: although the nose expresses speed, its lines are more fl exible and
softer than those of a conventional high-speed train.
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recent member of the range. It is called
the TER2N New Generation or the Coradia
Duplex. The French Regions bought
140 trainsets, put into service between 2003
and 2010. Its distributed power provides 20%
additional passenger space, reduces
the risk of breakdowns and makes it possible
to modulate the composition of trainsets
from 2 to 5 cars. Access systems,
equipment for people with reduced mobility,
dedicated areas, bicycle racks to favour urban
intermodality… It integrates the new needs
of the modern traveller. The range is extending
and being exported: 113 examples of
a ‘winterised’ version were sold to Sweden
and a further 26 trainsets were delivered
to the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg.
The concept even crossed the world,
with Australia placing an order in 1999.
Nevertheless, the export market turned out
to be more complex than initially predicted:
gauges vary in height (from 4.34 to 5 metres)
and in width (from 2.8 to 3.1 metres);
platform heights too (from 30 cm to over
one metre); currents also (1,500 volts
or 3,000 volts direct current, 15 kV or 25 kV
alternating current). These constraints
all require a strong ability to adapt.
In the Paris suburbs, the situation differed
again. It was necessary not only
to improve capacity but equally to optimise
fl ows of passengers getting off and
A few fi gures:
Duplex
Capacity: 510 to 600 seats
Commercial speed: 320 km/h
Number of trainsets
in circulation: 130
Power: 9,400 kW
Length: 200 m (a single unit)
Coradia Duplex
Capacity: 110 seats per car,
from 340 to 1,200 seats
Composition:
2 to 5 seats per car
Length: 57.7 to 133.9 m
Width: 2,806 m