VAL208

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The VAL 208 is a model of the VAL metro designed by Siemens Transportation Systems. The vehicles are manufactured in Austria at the SGP3 factory in Vienna. The number "208" in its name refers to the width of the cabin, which measures 208 cm or 2.08 m. This model replaces the VAL 206 model. The type of VAL trains is controlled from a central post (PCC). The vehicles are automatically driven under normal traffic conditions. They can coexist on networks with VAL 206 models, their older counterparts. Starting garage cars to put them in circulation (in case of congestion) or remove them from the traffic stream is done from the central station. The intervals between two trains are relatively short (you can descend to one minute). The VAL 208 vehicles can be coupled together to obtain longer trains. However, they remain small vehicles as their name suggests, suitable for a low number of passengers (CDGVAL, Orlyval) or medium-sized cities (Lille, Rennes, Toulouse). The metro stations that host this type of equipment are equipped with automatic sliding doors along the platforms. The user cannot therefore be in direct contact with the rails or fall onto the tracks. Platforms have a length between 26 m (minimum) and 52 m (maximum exploitable) because a short train measures 26 m (1 train = 2 cars of 13 m indissociable) and a long train measures 52 m, or 2 trains coupled together. This type of metro (VAL 206 and 208) requires straight platforms, which makes it difficult to install stations in certain locations [necessary reference], whereas this is not a problem for an open-type metro [unclear]. As far as passengers are concerned, one can distinguish it from its predecessor, the VAL 206, by a more profiled shape, quieter systems (doors, motors...), but also by the front windshield of the car, which is clearer, because the control system located at the right front of the VAL 206 is located at the rear of the car (junction between two cars). Despite having an almost identical interior space, the new generation has several improvements. The NG version of the VAL 208 was introduced in 2006. This version differs from the first by several details: One does not find systematically the logo "VAL 208" between the front lights. The footstep door plates of the first generation are marked with the logos of Matra and Siemens companies, while only the name of Siemens is present on the new generation. The motorization is different. The result for passengers is the disappearance of a noise around 30 km/h, caused by a resonance phenomenon of the engine. The door system is different, which is detectable by a more violent sound on the new generation, and the evacuation handles are also different. The trains are lightened by a few kilograms. Service braking/acceleration speed: 1.3 m s-2 Motors: continuous voltage 750 V Maximum slope: 10% Rolling stock: pneumatic Car length: 13 m Doors per car: 6 (3 on each side) Door width: 1.3 m Coupled cars: No - by 2 Trains coupled together: Yes, maximum 2 trains (4 cars) Seats: 23 (including 8 strap-on seats) / car (Variable according to configuration) Standing places: 55 / car (Variable according to configuration) Average consumption: 80 kWh Empty weight: 28 tonnes Like all automatic metros, the VAL 208 does not need a driver, and therefore no driving cabin. However, a manual control device exists at each end of the train, protected by a removable lock.