Bombardier AGC EDMU on SNCF

[bikkuri bahn]

An interesting type, which possesses both diesel power and electric capability.  The 82500 subseries has a diesel engine as well as 1500v DC/25kv 50hz AC capability, and are nicknamed "BiBi" (bimode, bicourant). Above is a Transilien service in the Ile-de-France region.

 

Cab ride on a TER train in the Bretagne region between Brest and Quimper:

[disturbman]

There is really four different types of AGC.

- X 76500 : a simple DMU version also called XGC

- Z 27500 : a bi-current electrical version, this EMU can run on 1500 V DC and 25 kV 50 Hz AC, this version is also called ZGC

- B 81500 : it's a EDMU (like BiBahn called it) and can run under 1500 V DC, this version can also be called BGC

- B 82500 : the BiBi version or BBGC highlighted previously.

 

As of june 2015, SNCF had received its 700th and last AGC. The BiBi is the least numerous version with, in 2009, only 141 units in operations.

 

As for myself, I would love to see that kind of trains allowing for greater inter-operability being generalized. I think they really have an enormous potential. But I never heard of the drawbacks, I guess higher capital and maintenance cost.