The Anonymous Widower

What Do The French Do For Commuter Trains?

The French equivalent to the Class 345 for Crossrail, also has a version built by Bombardier called the Z 50000 Francilien.

What probably shows more of this train is this excellent YouTube video.

Looking at the video and comparing the images with say travelling in a familiar Class 378 on the Overground, you notice several differences.

The biggest difference is that the French train is wider and taller in cross-section than the British train. This is due to the much more generous Continental loading gauge, which the designers of the train have used to their advantage.

Another big difference is getting into and out of the trains. On the Class 378 and probably the Class 345, it’s just a simple step across, but on the French train, an extra step emerges from the train and it’s a double step into the train. How would the French train cope with platform edge doors, like those that will be installed on Crossrail?  I ask this question as European safety legislation insists on these in all stations in tunnels.

July 10, 2014 - Posted by AnonW | Transport/Travel | Crossrail, Design, France, Trains