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Corailis the name given to a class of passenger rail cars of theSNCFthat first entered commercial service in 1975. When introduced, the Corail carriages had improved passenger comfort, featured air-conditioning, and better levels of suspension and sound-proofing compared with previousInterCitycarriages.[citation needed]
| Corail | |
|---|---|
 Corail coach (2003) | |
| In service | 1975–present |
| Manufacturer | Societe Franco Belge |
| Built at | Raismes |
| Constructed | 1975–1989 |
| Refurbished | 1995(Corail+),2000(Teoz),2010(TER) |
| Number built | 3892 cars |
| Capacity | 2nd class: 80 or 88 2nd class compartments: 88 1st class: 58 1st class compartments: 54 or 60 buffet car: 44 other configurations exist |
| Operators | SNCF |
| Specifications | |
| Car length | 26.4 m (86 ft 7 in) |
| Width | 2.825 m (9 ft 3.2 in) |
| Maximum speed | 160 km/h (99 mph) or 200 km/h (124 mph) (according to type) |
| Weight | 42 tonnes (41 long tons; 46 short tons) |
| Bogies | Type Y 32 A |
History and design
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The acquisition of the Corail coaches was a huge investment for SNCF with nearly 4000 carriages ordered, and represented a major leap in quality of service forFrenchrail passengers. The name Corail, which is also used as a designation of service for trains made up of these carriages, derives from combination of 'comfort' and 'rail'. Additionally, 'corail' means 'coral' in French, giving a play-on-words and making it memorable.
The carriages were designed by the French industrial designerRoger Tallonand built by theSociété Franco-BelgeinRaismes,northern France,[1]and byAlstom's La Rochelle factoryinAytré.[2]
When introduced, Corail carriages were painted in two tones of grey with a sharp flash of orange on the doors. Corail carriages were used throughout France on non-TGVlocomotive-hauled services.
Their use was reduced with the development and introduction of the TGV. As the TGV network has expanded, Corail trains were cascaded down onto regional services.
The SNCF responded by beginning to modernise the fleet in 1996. A new livery and refurbished interior was introduced as part of the "Corail Plus" programme. The orange doors become green for second class and red for first. These refurbishments of mainline Corail trains were soon considered to be insufficient, and in 2003 three heavily refurbished and re-fitted cars were revealed inParisas the new Téoz, featuring multicoloured exterior colour schemes and heavily modernised interiors; refurbished and upgraded Téoz trains were deployed on trunk routes where no TGV services operate.
Buffet coaches do not operate anymore,[when?]however a mobile catering service using trolleys is offered on some Téoz services. On night services, a vending machine is located in the so-called "voiture service".
Lunéa night trains operate on a number of domestic routes, offering a first and second classcouchetteservice. Passengers travel in compartments of four or sixbunks,and are provided with a pillow, lightweight bedsheet andblanket.Most Lunéa services also convey reclining seats cars.
Between 2004 and 2008Alstomrebuilt some 2nd class cars with baggage compartments into new B5uxhcab-cars.Most of the vehicles were still in service in 2008.
Surplus carriages were sold to regional councils to be used forTERregional services.[when?]Certain regions use Corail coaches rated for 200 km/h (124 mph) operation (the rest are limited to 160 km/h (99 mph)) to operate fast regional services known as TER 200.
See also
edit- Aqualys
- Sorefame(manufacturer ofstainless steelbodied versions of Corail carriages, under licence, forPortuguese Railways)
References
editExternal links
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- Pictures of Lunéa services,categorized into separate folders for first class and two types of second class coaches.
- Facilities in Lunéa trains,from seat61.com.