Z8100

SNCF Class Z8100 (also known as RATP Class MI79) is a suburban EMU used by both RATP and SNCF on RER line B. Class Z8400 which is similar is also used on lines A and B.

Z8100 have been designed to serve RER line B (one of Paris'regional lines), so it had to be adapted to SNCF's network and RATP's network. It espacially had to be compatible with both RATP high platforms and SNCF low ones, and to be able to run with both currents : 1500V DC for RATP and 25kV AC for SNCF. These trains are being significantly refurbished between 2008 and 2014 so as to technically update them, change their interior layout, equip them with information system for passengers, with CCTV cameras and air conditioning. By the way, they get a new livery common to SNCF and RATP. As asbestos was discovered in first refurbished trains, trafic got decreased of a fifth on line B. As a reaction, staff started a surprise strike in October 2011.

A Z8100 trainset is composed of four carriages, these trains are used in either simple or double unit.

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