SNCF Class Z 50000
| Company type | Subsidiary (at the time) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Rail transport manufacturing |
| Headquarters | Crespin , France |
Area served | Île-de-France, France |
| Products | SNCF Class Z 50000 (Francilian) trains |
| Parent | Bombardier Inc. |
The SNCF Class Z 50000, commonly referred to as the Francilian or NAT (Nouvelle Automotrice Transilien, translating to New Transilien Railcar), is a dual-voltage electric multiple unit developed in the early 2000s for the commuter rail services in Paris and its surrounding Île-de-France region, operating within the Transilien network. These trains serve key Parisian terminals such as Gare du Nord, Gare de l'Est, and Gare Saint-Lazare.
Since 2006, Bombardier Transportation, a Canadian multinational, has manufactured all 360 sets at its Crespin facility located in France. The initial units began commercial operation on 14 December 2009.
The term Francilian also denotes inhabitants of the Île-de-France area.
History
In 2004, the Syndicat des transports d'Île-de-France (STIF) launched a procurement process for approximately 180 new electric multiple unit trains intended to replace SNCF’s aging single-level suburban fleet. This older stock included stainless steel Classes Z 5300, Z 6100, and Z 6400, along with push-pull RIB and RIO sets. The new trains were required to handle frequent stop services over typical distances of , and to operate on both 1,500 V DC and 25 kV AC overhead lines.
Bids were submitted by Alstom, Bombardier, and Siemens. In 2006, a €1.85 billion contract was awarded jointly by SNCF and STIF to Bombardier for the delivery of 172 Francilien trainsets, with an option to acquire up to 200 additional units. Bombardier revealed the Spacium model at its Crespin plant on 6 February 2009. The first Francilien entered service on Transilien Line H between Paris Gare du Nord and Luzarches on 13 December 2009. By the end of 2018, orders had reached a total of 360 trainsets, with roughly 240 actively operating.
Design
Bombardier’s concept incorporates articulated cars connected via Jakobs bogies. Seating follows a 3+2 configuration, accommodating over 400 passengers in seven-car formations and exceeding 500 seats in eight-car versions. Overall capacity surpasses 800 occupants (up to 1,000 in eight-car trains), including standing passengers at . The vehicles are wider than previous models at , enabled by a reduced car length of . Spacious gangways between cars facilitate passenger flow by minimizing congestion points. The interior lighting employs fully LED technology for enhanced energy efficiency.
Comprehensive technical specifications are available in Bombardier’s SPACIUM Environmental Product Description.
Technical characteristics
Equipped for dual-voltage operation (1,500 V DC and 25 kV AC), these trains cover the entire Île-de-France rail network while consuming approximately 20% less electricity compared to similar models introduced around 2009. Each bogie supports two three-phase asynchronous motors running at 380 volts and a frequency of 50 hertz. Traction is distributed across five motorized bogies positioned at the train ends and between designated cars (between cars 2-3, 3-4, and 6-7 in the longer version; or between cars 5-6 in the shorter variant).
The trainset is segmented into two traction groups: one comprising cars 1 through 4, and the other including cars 6 through 8. Each segment contains two parallel traction circuits that provide redundancy, thereby lowering the likelihood of service interruptions. Under normal conditions, about 80% of total power (~2950 kW per segment) is utilized; if one traction unit fails, remaining units increase output to full capacity to sustain operation. Acceleration rates reach up to 0.9 m/s² for eight-car configurations and up to 1 m/s² for seven-car sets, while service braking deceleration is rated at -1.05 m/s².
Formations
As of 7 June 2025, a total of 360 Z50000 trainsets, numbered from 01H to 360L, are actively operating.
8-car sets
The eight-car configurations are composed of five powered cars and three unpowered trailer cars (5M3T), incorporating five motorized Jacobs bogies along with four trailer bogies. These trainsets are stationed at the depots of Noisy le Sec (serving Lines E and P) and Les Joncherolles / St Denis (serving Lines H and K).
| RER E | <- Haussmann - St Lazare / Paris Tournan / Chelles ->
| |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Car No. | 1 | > 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 < | 8 |
| Type | Motorised | Trailer | Motorised | Trailer | Motorised | Trailer | Motorised | |
| Numbering | Z50xxx(odd number) | ZR501xxx (odd number) | ZZ502xxx (odd number) | ZR503xxx(odd number) | ZR504xxx (odd number) | ZR505xxx (odd number) | ZR506xxx (odd number) | Z50xxx (even number) |
| Line H | <-Paris Nord Pontoise / Luzarches / Creil ->
| |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Car No. | 1 | > 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 < | 8 |
| Type | Motorised | Trailer | Motorised | Trailer | Motorised | Trailer | Motorised | |
| Numbering | Z50xxx(odd number) | ZR501xxx (odd number) | ZZ502xxx (odd number) | ZR503xxx(odd number) | ZR504xxx (odd number) | ZR505xxx (odd number) | ZR506xxx (odd number) | Z50xxx (even number) |
| Line K | <- Paris Nord Crepy en Valois ->
| |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Car No. | 1 | > 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 < | 8 |
| Type | Motorised | Trailer | Motorised | Trailer | Motorised | Trailer | Motorised | |
| Numbering | Z50xxx(odd number) | ZR501xxx (odd number) | ZZ502xxx (odd number) | ZR503xxx(odd number) | ZR504xxx (odd number) | ZR505xxx (odd number) | ZR506xxx (odd number) | Z50xxx (even number) |
| Line P | <- Paris Est Provins / La Ferté-Milon / Château-Thierry ->
| |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Car No. | 1 | > 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 < | 8 |
| Type | Motorised | Trailer | Motorised | Trailer | Motorised | Trailer | Motorised | |
| Numbering | Z50xxx(odd number) | ZR501xxx (odd number) | ZZ502xxx (odd number) | ZR503xxx (odd number) | ZR504xxx (odd number) | ZR505xxx (odd number) | ZR506xxx (odd number) | Z50xxx <smal l>(even number)</smal l> |
- The symbols '<' and '>' denote the locations of pantographs on cars numbered 2 and 7.
- Carriage number three carries the designation ZZ because it uniquely rests on two motorized Jacobs bogies, making it the sole intermediate car with this configuration.
7-car train formations
The 7-car configurations incorporate a layout of five powered jacobs bogies and two trailer bogies (5M2T), consisting of three motorized cars alongside two trailers. These trainsets are deployed from the Levallois depot for Line L and from the Le Val Notre Dame/Argenteuil depots for Line J.
| Line L | <- Paris St Lazare Versailles RD / St Nom la Breteche / Cergy ->
| ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Car No. | 1 | > 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 < | 7 |
| Type | Motorized | Trailer | Motorized | Trailer | Motorized | ||
| Numbering | Z50xxx(odd) | ZR501xxx (odd) | ZZ502xxx (odd) | ZR507xxx(odd) | ZR505xxx (odd) | ZR506xxx (odd) | Z50xxx (even) |
| Line J | <- Paris St Lazare Ermont-Eaubonne / Mantes (Vernon) / Pontoise (Gisors) ->
| ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Car No. | 1 | > 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 < | 7 |
| Type | Motorized | Trailer | Motorized | Trailer | Motorized | ||
| Numbering | Z50xxx(odd) | ZR501xxx (odd) | ZZ502xxx (odd) | ZR507xxx(odd) | ZR505xxx (odd) | ZR506xxx (odd) | Z50xxx (even) |
- The pantograph positions are marked by < or > symbols; pantographs are fitted on cars 2 and 9.
- Car number 3, identified as ZZ, is distinctive due to its two motorized jacobs bogies.
Fleet
By March 1, 2022, the Z50000 series consisted of a total of 339 trainsets serving Lines E, H, J, K, L, and P.