| Background: |
|
| Avril | |
| Manufacturer: | Talgo |
| Family: | Avril |
| Yearconstruction: | 2012 |
| Capacity: | > 500 - 735 (low cost version +) |
| Carbody: | Aluminum and composite material |
| Trainlength: | (standard version) |
| Carlength: | Trailer car, 13m (43feet) |
| Width: | (according to versions) |
| Maxspeed: | Design: 380km/h Service: 310km/h |
| Weight: | 287 t - 315 t (according to versions) |
| Traction: | Up to 12 synchronous motors |
| Poweroutput: | 8800 kW - 10000 kW (according to versions) |
| Powersupply: | Overhead catenary or On board generator (Hybrid propulsion) |
| Electricsystem: | 25 kV/50 Hz; 15 kV/16.7 Hz; 3 kV DC; 1.5 kV DC and multivoltage |
| Collectionmethod: | Pantograph |
| Brakes: | Regenerative dynamic braking, pneumatic brake |
| Gauge: | Fixed gauge (1,435 mm, 1,520 mm or 1,668 mm) and variable gauge |
Talgo Avril is a high-speed train made by Talgo. It stands for "Alta Velocidad Rueda Independiente Ligero" (roughly translated as "Light High-Speed Independent Wheel").[1]
The train is intended to have a top speed of 380km/h. It has front and rear power cars containing under-floor/over-roof equipment and 8 trailer cars in between the power cars, giving a total seating capacity comparable to those of an electric multiple unit rather than a locomotive-hauled train. The trailer cars have an unusually short length of 13m (43feet).
Other details:[2]
Talgo presented the Avril concept at the InnoTrans fair in Berlin in September 2010.[3] After several years of development and testing, the first order for Avril trains was placed in November 2016, when Spanish operator Renfe Operadora signed a €786.5 million contract for 15 train sets and 30 years of maintenance.[4] In May 2017, Renfe Operadora ordered 15 more train sets, with the Avril's entry into service expected in 2020,[5] delayed to March 2024.[6]
In 2023, French operator Le Train signed a €300 million contract for 10 train sets and 30 years of maintenance.[7]
From 21 May 2024, Renfe schedules new AVE services to the Spanish regions of Asturias and Galicia, operated by variable gauge Talgo Avril trains under the class name S-106. Those AVE services are replacing the previously Alvia services Madrid Chamartín-Gijón and Castellón de la Plana/Vinaros-Gijón via Oviedo in Asturias and the Alvia services Madrid-A Coruña and Madrid-Vigo via Santiago de Compostela, Vilagarcía de Arousa and Pontevedra in Galicia.[8] In addition Talgo Avril will replace S-112 trains for the Avlo Madrid–Barcelona, Madrid–Valencia, Madrid–Alicante and Murcia–Madrid–Valladolid services.[9]
A Talgo Avril train reached 360 km/h top-speed on the Ourense-Santiago de Compostela high-speed line on Iberian gauge as part of homologation testing. [10]