Thalys PBKA (Locomotive)

Thalys PBKA (Locomotive)

Thalys PBKA is a high-speed trainset, manufactured by the French company GEC-Alsthom, and used on the international Eurostar service. Originally built for Thalys (which later merged with Eurostar) they were intended to operate between Paris, Brussels, Köln (English: Cologne) and Amsterdam, forming the abbreviation PBKA. They were initially intended to be sole rolling stock of the service, but their extreme cost and complexity due to their quadri-current capability led the order of a simpler tri-current sister class, the Thalys PBA, TGV Réseau derivative, with which they can work in multiple (coupled together).

The PBKA trains are quadri-current, capable of operating under the same systems as the PBA sets: 25 kV 50 Hz AC (France), 3,000 V DC (Belgium) and 1,500 V DC (the Netherlands and parts of France), but with the addition of 15 kV  16.7 Hz AC (Germany).

They are a member of Alstom's TGV family of trains. Each set has a power car on each end with three first class cars, a bar car, and four second class cars in between. The trains are 200 m (656 ft 2 in) in length, weighing a total of 383 tonnes (844,000 lb) with 404 seats (120 first class, 284 second class).

Their maximum speed in regular service is 300 km/h (186 mph) with 8,800 kW (11,801 hp) under 25 kV AC, 200 km/h (124 mph) with 5,160 kW (6,920 hp) under 15 kV AC, and 220 km/h (137 mph) with 3,680 kW (4,935 hp) under 1,500 or 3,000 V DC.

Seventeen trains were ordered:

• Nine purchased by National Railway Company of Belgium.
• Two by Deutsche Bahn of Germany.
• Six by SNCF of France.
• Two by Nederlandse Spoorwegen.

Thalys PBKA Fleet Details

Class    No. in Service    Year Built    Current Units    Notes

• Series 4300    17 1995–1998 4301–4307 (7) Purchased by SNCB
• 4321–4322     (2) Purchased by DB
• 4331–4332     (2) Purchased by NS
• 4341–4346     (6) Purchased by SNCF

Thalys PBKA Overview

Thalys PBKA In Service: 1998–present
Thalys PBKA Manufacturer: GEC-Alsthom
Thalys PBKA Family Name: TGV
Thalys PBKA Constructed: 1995–1998
Thalys PBKA Number Built: 17 trainsets
Thalys PBKA Formation: 2 power cars + 8 passenger cars
Thalys PBKA Fleet Numbers:
4301–4307
4321–4322
4331–4332
4341–4346
Thalys PBKA Capacity: 404 seats (120 first class, 284 second class)
Thalys PBKA Operators: Eurostar
Thalys PBKA Train Length: 200 m (656 ft 2 in)
Thalys PBKA Maximum Speed: 320 km/h (199 mph) (design)
300 km/h (186 mph) (service)
Thalys PBKA Weight: 383 t (844,000 lb)
Thalys PBKA Power Output:
8,800 kW (11,801 hp) on 25 kV AC
5,160 kW (6,920 hp) on 15 kV AC
3,680 kW (4,935 hp) on DC
Thalys PBKA Electric System(s):
Overhead Line:
25 kV 50 Hz AC
15 kV  16.7 Hz AC
1,500 V DC
3,000 V DC
Thalys PBKA Current Collector(s): Pantograph
Thalys PBKA Safety System(s): ERTMS level 2, TVM-430, KVB, ATB
Thalys PBKA Track Gauge: 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge