The SNCFTGV Réseau trains were built by Alstom between 1992 and 1996. These TGV trainsets are based on the earlier TGV Atlantique. The first Réseau sets entered service in 1993. Fifty dual-voltage trainsets were built in 1992-1994, numbered 501-550. A further 40 triple-voltage trainsets, numbered 4501-4540, were built in 1994-1996. The last ten triple voltage units carry the Thalys livery and are known as Thalys PBA sets. As well as using standard French voltages of 25 kV AC and 1,500 V DC, the triple voltage sets can operate under the Belgian and Italian3 kV DC supplies. They are formed of two power cars and eight carriages, giving a capacity of 377 seats. They have a top speed of. They are long and are wide. The dual-voltage sets weigh, and owing to axle-load restrictions in Belgium the triple-voltage sets have a series of modifications, such as the replacement of steel with aluminium and hollowaxles, to reduce the weight to under per axle. Owing to early complaints of uncomfortable pressure changes when entering tunnels at high speed on the LGV Atlantique, the Réseau sets are pressure-sealed. In 2006 the carriages of nineteen sets were used to form TGV POS sets by using new TGV POS motorcars for services on the LGV Est to Germany and Switzerland. The 38 replaced Réseau motorcars were slightly modified and joined to new Duplex carriages, forming nineteen TGV Réseau Duplex units. They now operate as part of the TGV Duplex fleet, being numbered 601-619.
Renovation
After some ten years of successful service, the interior of TGV Réseau sets became outdated and needed a refurbishment. This refurbishment was part of the TGV Est project, as the dual-voltage sets were to assure the domestic services there. The same interiors would also be used in the coaches for POS sets. Three possible interiors were presented to the public between 2002 and 2003 in different stations:
At the end of the Train Capitale exposition in Paris, MBD Design and Christian Lacroix were announced as the winning design. Work started on the first dual-voltage sets in 2004 at SNCF's Hellemmes workshops, near Lille. In 2006 the last dual-voltage set was finished. Between 2008 and 2009 the three-voltage sets will also be refurbished in the same design. The refurbished sets can be distinguished from the non-refurbished ones by: the slightly changed livery; the fittings in the coaches, which are in new colours and the reflecting stripes on the sides of the motorcars. Although SNCF announced in July 2007 that the Lacroix-design would not be continued because some materials vibrated at, this was later changed: the Lacroix-design will be applied to all TGV Réseau sets.
