Voiture de banlieue à 2 niveaux


The VB2N is a double-deck passenger car used on Transilien suburban rail services in the Île-de-France region of France.
The coaches, built from 1974, are the successors of the Chemins de Fer de l'État's 1933 built Voiture État à 2 étages. They are used on Gare Saint-Lazare network and Gare Montparnasse network. They were also used between Gare de l'Est and Gare de Tournan until the RER E was built and Gare du Nord network until the arrival of the Z 50000 who replaced them by the end of 2012.
From the late 2006-early 2007, VB2Ns are pushed/pulled by new SNCF Class BB 27300 electric locomotives, and from 2012, by new . They are also pushed/pulled by SNCF Class BB 17000 on Gare Saint-Lazare networks.

Description

The VB2Ns are designed to be used in push-pull mode, although the cars are not powered, there is a control car at one end of the train so that the locomotive does not have to run around its train at the terminus.
Passenger space is divided in two levels. Each end of coach is a vestibule from which two separate sets of stairs lead to the upper and lower-decks. The walkway and seating on the lower deck is situated below platform level to gain space and avoid unnecessary height. The upper-deck is relatively spacious as height is restricted although adults may walk standing up.
All coaches have toilets apart from both end carriages.
Next stop is announced vocally and visually.
Speed is limited to.

Use

On lines linked to Gare Saint-Lazare

On the Gare Saint-Lazare suburban network, VB2Ns are used on:
They are propelled by SNCF Class BB 17000.
Saint-Lazare VB2Ns have three numbering schemes, 90 upwards for coaches in original orange and grey livery, 101 upwards for coaches in IdF blue, white and red livery and 201 upwards for coaches in Transilien livery.

On lines linked to Gare Montparnasse

On the Gare Montparnasse suburban network, VB2Ns are used on:
They were propelled by SNCF Class BB 25000 and BB 8500 before 2006, now by SNCF Class BB 27300, and.
Montparnasse VB2Ns' number scheme is different than the one of the other two VB2N owner networks. Their running number begins with a number representing the number of coaches the consist of VB2N possesses, followed by a letter, beginning with A.