Thalys Rolling Stock (High-Speed Train)

Thalys Rolling Stock (High-Speed Train)

Thalys uses two models of trains, both of which are part of the TGV (Train à Grande Vitesse) family of high-speed trains built by Alstom in France.

           Class    Type    Top speed    Number Built    Notes    km/h mph

• PBA  -  Electric multiple unit 300 186 9 1996 Tri-current. Not equipped for Germany, operates only between Amsterdam, Brussels and various French destinations.
• PBKA - Electric multiple unit 300 186 17 1997 Quadri-current. Can operate on all Thalys routes across France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany.

Thalys Accidents and Incidents

On 9 May 1998, a truck was struck by a Thalys PBKA on an unprotected level crossing, it had attempted to cross the tracks at the crossing when the train arrived. The truck driver was killed in the impact and the train's power unit and first two passenger carriages derailed, the trainset was left heavily damaged. Six passengers were injured and the tracks and catenary were broken in the incident. Passenger carriages R1 and R2 had to be scrapped. The trainset was later repaired with the R1 and R2 carriages from a regular TGV trainset.

On 11 October 2008, a Thalys PBA set bound for Amsterdam collided with a national ICM train set at Gouda railway station in the Netherlands. The Thalys train set had been diverted via Gouda due to engineering work on its usual route. None of the passengers were seriously injured, but both trains incurred serious damage. An investigation concluded that staff of the ICM train was to blame, as they left the station while still under a red signal.
On 21 August 2015, a gunman attacked passengers on an Amsterdam–Paris train near Arras. The incident was treated as a terrorist attack. Three passengers along with the gunman received non-fatal injuries.

Thalys Overview

Thalys Owner: Eurostar Group
Thalys Stations: 26
Thalys Service Type: High-speed rail
Thalys Rolling Stock:
9 Thalys PBA
17 Thalys PBKA
Thalys Commenced: 4 June 1996
Thalys Track Gauge: 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Thalys Operating Speed: 300 km/h (190 mph)