TGV Duplex

TGV Duplex is the first generation of double-deck TGV used by SNCF.

After the success of TGV, SNCF studied double-deck TGV from 1987. After experiments done in 1992, thirty double-deck TGV units were ordered and yielded from 1996. Locomotives are technically the same as the dual-power version of TGV Réseau. However, their design was revised, with a central driving board, for aesthetic and european standards. In the double-deck cars, gangways are located only at upper level. Only the upper level of the bar car is available, the lower one being arranged as a technical area.

TGV Duplex trains are used on South-East line, the most crowded high speed line in France. They are still insufficient when LGV Méditerranée, which extends the South-East line between Lyon and Marseille (South-Eastern France) opens up in 2001. That's why 49 other units are ordered and yielded until 2006. Then, “Réseau-Duplex” units, formed of Réseau locs and Duplex cars, and “DASYE”, with duplex cars too, are yielded.

TGV Duplex units are made of eight cars, including a bar car, surrounded by two locomotives. They can be used in multiple units.

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