France adds Alstom trains in $188.4M order

The SNCF (French national railways) has placed an order worth approximately $188.4 million with Alstom Transport for an additional 19 Regiolis regional trains from the Coradia Polyvalent range. The initial contract, signed in October 2009, totaled $1.1 billion for the supply of 100 Coradia Polyvalent trains.

The first 119 trainsets will be distributed beginning in 2013, with the total number of trains potentially reaching 1,000 units and generating over $10 billion.

The Coradia Polyvalent range is a single-level regional train offering several different technical configurations along with modular fittings for passengers. It can travel at up to 160 kph in both its electric or hybrid versions and operates at two different voltages, 25 kV and 1500 V. It is also available in a transborder version for operation on the German and Swiss rail networks at a voltage of 15 kV.

This low-floor regional train offers travellers optimal accessibility and full all-point visibility for improved security. Motor bogies are positioned at the ends of the carriages to limit vibrations and noise levels.

The Coradia Polyvalent consumes about 15 percent less energy than its competitors, reducing CO₂ emissions. It is equipped with compact, efficient permanent magnet motors. All the equipment will be designed, produced and assembled at Alstom's French sites.