| SNCF Oxygène | |
| Stocktype: | Electric multiple unit |
| Manufacturer: | CAF |
| Assembly: | Reichshoffen, France Beasain, Spain |
| Numberconstruction: | 28 |
| Formation: | 10 cars |
| Capacity: | 420 seats (1st class: 103, 2nd class: 317) |
| Carbody: | Aluminium |
| Trainlength: | 188m (617feet) |
| Width: | 2.86m (09.38feet) |
| Height: | 4.26m (13.98feet) |
| Floorheight: | 630mm (low floor car) |
| Maxspeed: | 200km/h |
| Weight: | 365t |
| Traction Motors: | Asynchronous |
| Poweroutput: | 4MW |
| Collectionmethod: | Pantograph |
| Safety: | ETCS, KVB |
The Oxygène Z 26700 (previously known as the Confort200) is a high speed, electric multiple unit, passenger train under construction by CAF, for SNCF for use on their Intercités services. The trains will serve the Paris-Clermont Ferrand and Paris-Limoges-Toulouse lines, and is planned for entry into service in 2027.[1]
In 2010, an agreement was signed between SNCF and the French government to support the Intercités service, troubled with low profitability.[2] In 2012, owing to the potential cost of replacing the Corail rolling stock on Intercités services, refurbishment of TGV Sud-Est sets was considered, for service at a lower speed.[3]
The order, worth €700 million, for 28 trainsets, with options for 75 more (including 20 which could be used on a Bordeaux-Marseille service), was placed in December 2019 and funded by the French government.[4] [5]
The choice of CAF, a Spanish company, over the French Alstom, was controversial among some local elected officials and unions.[6]
It was initially planned to be built at Bagnères-de-Bigorre, France, and Beasain, Spain.[7] CAF later took over Alstom's Reichshoffen site (along with the Coradia Polyvalent platform and Bombardier's Talent 3 platform) in the process of the latter's acquisition of Bombardier Transportation.[8] It was later confirmed the first 8 trainsets will be built at CAF's Beasain plant in Spain, with the rest at their site in Reichshoffen, Alsace, France.
Testing was started in July 2023 at the Velim test track in the Czech Republic, for tests up to 200 km/h.[9]
Introduction into service was initially planned for 2025. This was however delayed to Q1 2027, due to faults, involving excessive brake pad wear, and vibrations caused by failure of traction motors (since resolved).[10] Traction motors were sent back to Mitsubishi Electric in Japan, for review.[11] Homologation testing on the French network will begin in February 2026, including on planned operational routes.[12] [13]
The 10-car articulated 188 m train sets will be able to run at a maximum speed of 200 km/h in service. Trains will have WiFi, power outlets and USB ports at all seats. There will be spaces for 10 bicycles in each train set.
Each 10 car trainset will be designed to be split in two for easier maintenance. Distributed traction will be provided in the form of asynchronous motors on the end cars and 2 centre cars, with a continuous power rating of 4 MW.[14]
Trains will be fitted to work both 25kV 50Hz AC and 1.5kV DC lines. There will be capacity for 420 passengers (equivalent roughly to 7 Corail coaches - 103 in first class, and 317 in second class).
Boarding height will be 630 mm above rail height on low floor cars to allow for better accessibility, in addition to wide gangways.
Trains are equipped with ETCS and KVB, the train protection system used in France.
CAF selected Mitsubishi Electric to supply traction motors for the order in 2022, following delivery of prototype main transformers in 2017, which were used for a Z 2N commuter train and T4 tram-train operating in Paris.[15] The traction systems involve roof-mounted converters and inverters with natural air cooling.[16]
The new trains will allow for the addition of another return service each day on the routes planned. Time savings of 15 minutes from the journey time to the Paris – Clermont-Ferrand and Paris – Limoges service are expected, with journey times of 3h15min and 2h51min respectively.