SNCF Class Z 50000

"Francilien" redirects here. For the region, see Île-de-France (region).

Z 50000
A pair of Z 50000 trainsets in the older Carmillon livery (left) and the STIF/ÎdFM livery (right)
In service	2009–present
Manufacturer	Bombardier Transportation
Built at	Crespin
Replaced	BB 17000 RIB Z 6100 Z 6400 VB2N Z 20500
Constructed	2009–2022
Entered service	14 December 2009
Number built	360 trainsets [1]
Number in service	360 trainsets (as of 2 December 2022) (2686 cars)
Formation	7 or 8 cars per trainset 194 trainsets with 7 cars 166 trainsets with 8 cars (all as of 2 December 2022)
Fleet numbers	Z 50001/2–50719/720
Capacity	Seated: 405 [a] / 503 [b] Standing: 468 [a] / 552 [b] (at 4 per square metre)
Operators	SNCF
Depots	Technicentre Paris Nord Technicentre Paris Est Levallois Argenteuil
Lines served
Specifications
Car body construction	Stainless steel
Train length	94.3 m (309 ft 5 in) [a] 112.5 m (369 ft 1 in) [b]
Car length	16.53 m (54 ft 3 in) (end car) 13.24 m (43 ft 5 in) (intermediate cars)
Width	3.06 m (10 ft 0 in)
Height	4.28 m (14 ft 1 in)
Floor height	985 mm (38.8 in)
Wheel diameter	840 mm (33.07 in)
Wheelbase	1,900 mm (75 in)
Maximum speed	140 km/h (87 mph)
Weight	210,000 kg (460,000 lb) [a] 240,000 kg (530,000 lb) [b]
Traction system	Bombardier MITRAC IGBT–VVVF
Traction motors	10 × 262 kW (351 hp) 3-phase AC induction motor
Power output	2,620 kW (3,513 hp)
Acceleration	1 m/s2 (2.2 mph/s) (up to 50 km/h (31 mph)) [b]
Deceleration	1.05 m/s2 (2.3 mph/s) [b] (service)
Electric system(s)	Overhead line:    25 kV 50 Hz AC    1,500 V DC
Current collection	Pantograph Type AX
UIC classification	Bo′+2′+Bo′+Bo′+2′+Bo′+2′+Bo′ (7 cars) Bo′+2′+Bo′+Bo′+2′+2′+Bo′+2′+Bo′ (8 cars)
Bogies	FLEXX Compact (jacobs)
Braking system(s)	Disc, dynamic and regenerative
Safety system(s)	Crocodile and KVB
Coupling system	Scharfenberg type
Multiple working	Z 50000
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Notes/references
[2] [3] [4]

The SNCF Class Z 50000, also known as the 'Francilian', or 'NAT' (for French : Nouvelle Automotrice Transilien, English: New Transilien Railcar, the project name) is a type of dual-voltage electric multiple unit trainset designed in the 2000s. It is used on the commuter rail system serving Paris and its Île-de-France suburbs on the Transilien network running out of Gare du Nord, Gare de l'Est and Gare Saint-Lazare.

A total of 360 trainsets have been built by Canadian conglomerate Bombardier at its Crespin, France (near Valenciennes) factory between 2006 and 2022. The first set was placed into regular passenger service on 14 December 2009.

The name Francilien is also the demonym for people living in Île-de-France.

History

In 2004, the Syndicat des transports d'Île-de-France (STIF, the transit authority for the Paris region until June 2017) began the tendering process for approximately 180 new electric multiple unit trainsets to replace SNCF's aging single-deck suburban fleet, including trainsets nicknamed “inox” (short for inoxydable, English: stainless [steel], Classes Z 5300, Z 6100, Z 6400) and similar push-pull trainsets known as RIB (Rame inox de banlieue  ( fr )) and RIO (Rame inox omnibus  ( fr )). SNCF and STIF requested bids for a train design that could operate on a typical journey of 30 to 50 kilometres (19 to 31 miles) in length, including numerous stops lasting 30 to 40 seconds, and able to operate using either 1,500 V DC or 25 kV 50 Hz AC overhead catenary electrification. ^[5]

Alstom, Bombardier, and Siemens all submitted bids for the project. ^[6] In 2006, SNCF and STIF awarded the contract to Bombardier with a firm order for 172 ‘Francilien’ trainsets at a cost of €1.85 billion, with an option for 200 more. ^{[2] [3]}

Bombardier presented the Spacium vehicle at Crespin on 6 February 2009. ^[7] The first service operated by a Francilien train was on Transilien Line H from Paris Gare du Nord to Luzarches on Sunday 13 December 2009. ^[8] As of December 2018, 360 trainsets had been ordered, and about 240 were in active service. ^[9]

Design

The Bombardier vehicles are articulated using Jakobs bogies between the carriages. Seating is in a 3+2 layout, resulting in over 400 seats in a seven-car unit, and over 500 in an eight-car set. Total capacity exceeds 800 (or 1,000 in eight-car trains) including standing passengers at 4 passengers per square metre (3.3/sq yd). The vehicle's width is 3.06 metres (10 ft 0 in), which is wider than previous trains, achieved by having a relatively short car length of 13.24 metres (43 ft 5 in). ^{[5] [4]} The inter-carriage passages have wide, open gangway connections, allowing passengers to spread throughout the train. ^[4] All interior lights are provided by light-emitting diodes (LED), reducing power consumption. ^{[5] [10]}

Technical characteristics

The dual-current capacity (1,500 V DC and 25,000 V AC) enables the train to serve the entire Ile-de-France network. Its electrical consumption is 20% lower than that of equipment in circulation in 2009. Each bogie has two three-phase asynchronous traction motors. They each operate at a voltage of 380 V and 50 hertz. Traction power is distributed over five motor bogies, one located at each end end of the train set, and between cars 2 and 3, 3 and 4, and 6 and 7 in the long version, or 5 and 6 in the short variant.

A train is divided into two distinct sets: cars 1 to 4 on the one hand, and cars 6 to 8 on the other hand. Each of these half-elements has two traction circuits in parallel. This redundancy reduces the risk of trainset unavailability in the event of a breakdown. The Z 50000 are distinguished by another specific feature: in normal operation, only 80% of the available power, or 2,950 kW (3,960 hp) for one element, is used. In the event of failure of one of the engine blocks, the other engines are actuated at 100% in order to ensure the normal operation of the train.

The acceleration reaches 0.9 m/s² (2.0 mph/s) for the eight-motor configuration and 1 m/s² (2.2 mph/s) for the seven-motor configuration. The deceleration reaches −1.05 m/s² (−2.3 mph/s) during service braking.

Formations

As of 7 June 2025, 360 Z50000 trainsets (01H to 360L) have been delivered.

8 cars sets

The 8-cars trainsets are formed as shown below, with five motorised cars and three non-powered trailer cars (5M3T). Each trainset has 5 motorized Jakobs bogies and 4 trailer bogies.

They are based at the Noisy le Sec (Line E and P), and les Joncherolles/St Denis (Line H and K) depots.

RER E	<- Haussman - St Lazare / Paris Tournan / Chelles ->
Car No.	1	> 2	3	4	5	6	7 <	8
Type	Motorised	Trailer	Motorised		Trailer	Motorised	Trailer	Motorised
Numbering	Z50xxx(odd number)	ZR501xxx (odd number)	ZZ502xxx (odd number)	ZR503xxx(odd number)	ZR504xxx (odd number)	ZR505xxx (odd number)	ZR506xxx (odd number)	Z50xxx (even number)

Line H	<-Paris Nord Pontoise / Luzarches/ Creil ->
Car No.	1	> 2	3	4	5	6	7 <	8
Type	Motorised	Trailer	Motorised		Trailer	Motorised	Trailer	Motorised
Numbering	Z50xxx(odd number)	ZR501xxx (odd number)	ZZ502xxx (odd number)	ZR503xxx(odd number)	ZR504xxx (odd number)	ZR505xxx (odd number)	ZR506xxx (odd number)	Z50xxx (even number)

Line K	<- Paris Nord Crepy en Valois ->
Car No.	1	> 2	3	4	5	6	7 <	8
Type	Motorised	Trailer	Motorised		Trailer	Motorised	Trailer	Motorised
Numbering	Z50xxx(odd number)	ZR501xxx (odd number)	ZZ502xxx (odd number)	ZR503xxx(odd number)	ZR504xxx (odd number)	ZR505xxx (odd number)	ZR506xxx (odd number)	Z50xxx (even number)

Line P	<- Paris Est Provins/La Ferté-Milon/Château-Thierry ->
Car No.	1	> 2	3	4	5	6	7 <	8
Type	Motorised	Trailer	Motorised		Trailer	Motorised	Trailer	Motorised
Numbering	Z50xxx(odd number)	ZR501xxx (odd number)	ZZ502xxx (odd number)	ZR503xxx(odd number)	ZR504xxx (odd number)	ZR505xxx (odd number))	ZR506xxx (odd number)	Z50xxx (even number)

• < or > show a pantograph. Cars 2 and 7 were each equipped with one pantograph.
• The third car's vehicle number is prefixed ZZ because it is supported by two motorized Jacobs bogies.

7 cars sets

The 7-cars trainsets are formed as shown below, with three motorised cars and two non-powered trailer cars (5M2T). Each trainset has 5 motorized Jakobs bogies and 3 trailer bogies.

They are based at Levallois (Line L), and le Val Notre Dame/Argenteuil (Line J) depots.

Line L	<-Paris St Lazare Versailles RD / St Nom la Breteche/ Cergy ->
Car No.	1	> 2	3	4	5	6 <	7
Type	Motorised	Trailer	Motorised		Trailer	Motorised
Numbering	Z50xxx(odd number)	ZR501xxx (odd number)	ZZ502xxx (odd number)	ZR507xxx(odd number)	ZR505xxx (odd number))	ZR506xxx (odd number)	Z50xxx (even number)

Line J	<- Paris St Lazare Ermont-Eaubonne/Mantes (Vernon)/Pontoise (Gisors) ->
Car No.	1	> 2	3	4	5	6 <	7
Type	Motorised	Trailer	Motorised		Trailer	Motorised
Numbering	Z50xxx(odd number)	ZR501xxx (odd number)	ZZ502xxx (odd number)	ZR507xxx(odd number)	ZR505xxx (odd number))	ZR506xxx (odd number)	Z50xxx (even number)

• < or > show a pantograph. Cars 2 and 9 were each equipped with one pantograph.
• The third car's vehicle number is prefixed ZZ because it is supported by two motorized Jacobs bogies.

Fleet

The number of Z50000 trainsets is 339 (at the 1st March 2022). They are on operations on the E, H, J, K, L and P Line.

• Listing Fleet Z50000 (in french)

Photo gallery

• 
  Interior, showing 3+2 seating
• 
  Interior, showing open gangway connection
• 
  Gap filler allowing easy access for wheelchair users
• 
  SIVE dynamic passenger information screens
• 
  Operator's cab
• 
  Z 50000 in the new Île-de-France Mobilités livery on Transilien Line H at Bessancourt station
• 
  Z 50000 in the older Carmillon livery on Transilien Line L at Cergy-Saint-Christophe station

See also

• List of SNCF classes

Notes

1. 7-car train
2. 8-car train

References

1. "Liste des Z 50000" (PDF). Trains du Sud-Ouest. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2021-06-24. Retrieved 2025-12-20.
2. "Visite à Crespin (Nord) de la ligne de fabrication du Francilien" (PDF) (Press release) (in French). STIF. 28 March 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 September 2008.
3. "Paris prepares for the Spacium age". International Railway Journal. September 2008. pp. 29–32. Archived from the original on 2012-06-20. Retrieved 2012-06-24.
4. "SPACIUM commuter train - Ile-de-France". Bombardier. Archived from the original on 13 January 2018. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
5. "L'automotrice "Francilien", futur matériel pour l'Île-de-France"". Revue générale des chemins de fer (in French). No. 172. May 2008. pp. 7–16. ISSN   0035-3183.
6. "Des trains modernisés sur le réseau Transilien" (PDF) (Press release). Syndicat des Transports d'Ile-de-France. 24 March 2006. 3. Nouvelle Automotrice Transilien (NAT). Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 March 2013.
7. "Spacium готов к испытаниям" (PDF). Железные дороги мира (ЖДМ) (in Russian). No. 3. 2009. pp. 31–36. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2025-04-25.
8. "First run for the Francilien" (Press release). SNCF. 2009-12-11. Archived from the original on 2010-07-19.
9. "Paris commuter EMUs ordered". Railway Gazette International. 27 December 2018. Archived from the original on 2018-12-27. Retrieved 28 December 2018.
10. SPACIUM Environmental Product Description (PDF) (Technical report). Bombardier Transportation. 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2022-03-21. Retrieved 2025-12-20.

Literature

• "De la NAT au Francilien : la genèse d'un projet mené tambour battant". Rail Passion (in French). No. 153. July 2010. pp. 46–65. ISSN   1261-3665.
• "Ввод в обращение - первых поездов Francilien" (PDF). Железные дороги мира (in Russian). No. 4. 2010. pp. 32–37. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2025-12-20.
• Jackson, C. (2010). Railway Gazette International. No. 2. pp. 55–58.{{cite magazine}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
• "Пригородный - электропоезд новой концепции" (PDF). Железные дороги мира (in Russian). No. 10. 2007. pp. 36–8. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2024-11-25.
• Hughes, M. (2007). Railway Gazette International. No. 9. p. 574.{{cite magazine}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)