TGV Duplex

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The TGV Duplex are electric TGV trains of the SNCF, put into service from 1995 to 2012. As their name suggests, they are made up of double-decker cars. The circulation inside the train is done by the upper level, thus offering more quiet to the passengers installed in the lower level of each car. The lower level of the bar car is not accessible to passengers as it is occupied by electrical equipment. For the same length, the Duplex trains have 133 more seats than the TGV Réseau trains: one train, made up of 8 cars (200 metres long), has 182 seats in 1st class and 328 in 2nd class, i.e. a total of 510 seats. In addition, 634 seats (2nd class only) are available in "Ouigo" layout. The design of these trains has been very advanced, particularly in the area of weight reduction (by using aluminium instead of steel for the body structure, except for the power cars), in order to comply with the 17-tonne axle weight rule that is mandatory on French high-speed lines8.