Talgo 250: versatility and success of commercial operations

The Talgo 250 was originally developed to meet Renfe’s needs to operate the latest generation of high-speed trains in an indistinctive manner on the Spanish rail network which operates on the traditional 1668mm gauge with 3000 v D.C electric supply and for the new high-speed lines, designed and built in 1435mm standard gauge with 25 kV. AC electric supply.

Thus, we can say that Spain is one of those unique countries with two different systems in terms of gauge, electric supply and signalling within the same network and Talgo has been able to provide a solution to this ‘uniqueness’. The Talgo 250 meets all these requirements: dual voltage (AC-DC), multiple signalling systems and variable gauge system ‘Talgo RD’, to be able to run on both gauges with total adaptability.

Renfe’s version of the Talgo 250, named S-130, is composed on two power heads and eleven intermediate coaches with a total length of 185 meters. The total passenger capacity of this version is 299 passengers although, due to the high flexibility of this train, this capacity can be increased or reduced according the needs of other operators.

The power heads

Each power head is equipped with a dual voltage 25 kV 50 Hz AC and 3 kV DC traction system, with an installed power of 2.400 kW at 25 kV 50 Hz, plus one power group per bogie and one traction motor per axle which, in a complete train set, makes up a total of eight tractor axles – 45% of the total number of axles in the trains. Each power head has one pantograph for 25 kV 50 Hz (AC) and another one for 3 kV (DC). The maximum weight per axle is 18t.

In terms of signalling, nothing has been left behind and the Talgo 250 incorporates the ERTMS Level 1 and 2 signalling systems with STM for LZB and ATP EBICAB 900 TBS, as well as the dual ASFA signalling system used in the 1668mm conventional network. GSM-R and Renfe’s Train-Ground communication systems are also installed in this high-speed EMU.

The cabin is also an important part of the power head and has a centred driving position for the driver with an ergonomic desk and seat that has various adjustments for comfort. The cabin is also pressurised, air tight and air conditioned to create an ideal working condition for the train driver.

The passenger coaches

The Talgo design

The intermediate coaches of the Talgo 250 belong to the 7th generation series of Talgo Pendular coaches designed for 250 km/h.

As in previous Talgo projects, priority has been given in the design and construction of the coaches in terms of passenger safety and comfort and simplicity in the design, in order to achieve maximum reliability while keeping manufacturing, operating and maintenance costs low.

The coaches incorporate the basic technical principles of Talgo which are ideally suited for high-speed equipment and for achieving the maximum safety and comfort standards for passengers.

Articulated connection between cars

The Talgo 250 consists of two power heads and a series of intermediates coupled together in an articulated fashion.
The bogies are shared between the cars, on the same transverse plane as the coupling point. The total number of Talgo trailer bogies is always equal to the number of passenger cars plus one.

The trainset thus forms an integral assembly providing greater running stability and greater safety, preventing the possible detachment of cars in the event of derailing.

This bogie arrangement means that the trainset has a very low number of axles (approximately half as many as an equivalent conventional trainset). This contributes to a perceptible reduction in wheel-rail forces, low noise level emissions and reduced maintenance costs.

This configuration makes it possible to incorporate unique technical solutions to improve safety conditions (against overturning or telescoping) and running conditions. It also makes it possible to reduce the height of the trainset.

Car bodies supported at three points; better stability!

Each car body will be associated with a Talgo bogie upon which one of its ends is supported by two large-section pneumatic suspension springs.

The opposite end of the car body will be suspended from the adjacent car by a set of articulated shafts (weight bearers) designed to act as a point support. The car body will thus be supported at three points with its support base being triangular. This provides great stability and prevents possible unloading of wheels.

Low centre of gravity

The articulated connection between cars, with the Talgo bogies situated between the car bodies, along with the use of independent wheels, makes it possible for the car bodies in the Talgo trainset to be at a low height above the track plane. It also means that their centre of gravity is at a low level. This feature improves operating safety by increasing the dynamic stability of the train.

Lightweight construction of car bodies

In order to reduce wheel-rail forces and energy costs in commercial operation, Talgo passenger cars are of lightweight construction with low weight per seat. The passenger car bodies are constructed using large extruded aluminium alloy plates, welded together to constitute a self-bearing structure, and applying state-of-the-art design and manufacturing techniques.

Single-axle trailer trucks with independent wheels

Trailer bogies, mounted between adjacent car bodies, are of single-axle type with their wheels on independent mountings. In this way, it is possible to have sufficient space between the two wheels for passage between the cars, maintaining the low height of the trainset.

Trailer bogies with independent wheels offer significant advantages over axles using conventional techniques. This solution prevents the hunting of the truck and allows excellent stability. The need for the two wheels on the same axle being of identical diameter is also eliminated, offering important technical and economic advantages.

Guided trailer bogies

All trailer bogies in the train are always at angle zero and permanently guided on the track by simple and robust passive mechanisms. The guidance mechanism has the purpose of guiding the axles to maintain the wheels are always parallel, both on straight and on curve tracks.

It also avoids the longitudinal displacements of the rolling assembly with respect to the car bodies.

Each axle has its own guidance mechanism constituted by the equaliser beam ‘1’ and the guidance bars. One of the ends of the lower steering bars ‘2-2’ and the upper ones ‘3-3’ is joined to the supports ‘4-4’ and ‘5-5’ of the bodyshells by an elastic hinge and the other one is joined to the equaliser beam by an elastic box hinge.

When the two-coupled cars have the same length, both arms of the equaliser beam are equal and therefore, in a curve, its axle is oriented in the radial position regarding the centre of the curve. If the coaches have different lengths, then it is necessary to have one of the arms longer than the other to orient the axles in the radial position. When the trainset is going into a curve, the supports ‘4’ and ‘5’ situated in the bodyshells in the inboard side of the curve get closer and push the guidance bars ‘2’ and ‘3’, making the equaliser beam ‘1’ turn around its axle, which produces the displacement of the axle of the wheel.

At the same time, in the outer side of the curve, the supports ‘4’ and ‘5’ move away and pull the steering bars ‘2’ and ‘3’ making the equaliser beam ‘1’ turn around its axle, producing a displacement in the axle of the wheel in the opposite direction but of the same distance. By doing this, as the orientation of the axle of the equaliser beams in direction to the centre of the curve is achieved, the wheels run parallel to the track.

Natural tilting of the car bodies

The Talgo 7th generation coaches are equipped with the Talgo natural tilting system. This system makes use of the lateral centrifugal force which naturally acts on the vehicles when they travel around a curve to tilt the cars towards the inside of the curve, thus considerably reducing the centrifugal force affecting the passengers.

The travelling speed of trains is often limited by the value of the lateral forces which passengers must withstand when travelling around curves. Therefore, the obvious result of the Talgo natural tilting system is to allow for an increase in the travelling speed on curved tracks and, by extension, on large sections of winding tracks, without reducing the level of passenger comfort.

This effect is achieved in Talgo Pendular trainsets, simply by situating the plane of the main suspension spring assembly well above the car’s centre of gravity.

The resulting configuration is similar to that of a pendulum which naturally tilts when centrifugal forces act on it as it passes around a curve. The system has no actuator to tilt the car body and, as it depends exclusively on natural forces, is completely reliable.

In short, the main characteristics of the VII Generation passenger cars of the Talgo 250 are:

• Hauled (non-powered) axles equipped with independent wheels to prevent hunting movement and to reduce wheel-track interaction
• Permanently steered axles by means of robust guiding bars that keep the wheels parallel to the track at all times
• High-comfort tilting suspension, with natural carbody tilting toward the interior of curves
• Articulated couplings between adjacent cars with anti-overturning and anti-vertical hunting mechanisms

From the operator’s point of view, the main advantages are:

• Lightweight-construction cars with very low weight per seat, which results in a lower rate of energy consumption for commercial operation
• Minimal aggressiveness and wear on the tracks, thanks to the steered axles and with independent wheels
• Zero-energy consumption to tilt the carbodies when traveling on curves

From a versatility point of view, the main advantages are:

• Maximum commercial speed: 250km/h.
• Different possible configurations which provide high flexibility
• Multiple operation capability with two coupled trains
• As an option, all the axles of the train, including those in the powered power heads, as it is the case of the Talgo 250, can be equipped with the variable-gauge Talgo RD system which allows the train to travel on tracks of different gauge without interruption

The main technical features of the passenger cars are:

• Lightweight, short carbodies (13.14m long), based on welded aluminum-alloy extrusions
• Mechanical resistance in accordance with UIC and FRA standards
• 2942mm wide
• Anti-overturn and anti-override systems
• Five panoramic windows on each side wall
• Air-conditioning units underneath the frame
• Easy access, without steps, from the side of the car
• Automatic interior and exterior doors
• Ergonomic, reclining and rotating seats, adjustable to the direction of travel, with footrests
• Individual reading light and power outlet in every seat
• Personalised audio equipment with volume control and channel selector (four audio channels and two video channels)
• Video/TV screens
• One restroom in every car, with ecological toilets and vacuum empty cleaning
• Global Positioning System (GPS) equipment to inform passengers about the location of the train throughout the trip
• Liquid crystal displays with interactive information for passengers
• Cars with special features for wheelchair-bound passengers
• Bistro cars fully equipped to provide service

Conclusion

Thanks to the development of this train, Talgo has been able to completely cover the high-speed needs that range from 220-250km/h with the Talgo 250 to 350km/h with the Talgo 350.

This highly versatile and flexible train began commercial operations in November 2007. Current orders for the Talgo 250 add up to 45 trainsets. The first units of Talgo 250 trains have already been delivered and the delivery for the remaining units will follow thoughout 2008 and 2009. Renfe is providing high quality services in intercity connections throughout the Spanish network by using the 1435mm high-speed lines and the 1668mm conventional lines indistinctively. Passengers in Spain are the main beneficiaries of the Talgo 250 trains – journey times have been considerably reduced, new intercity connections are now offered, a high level of comfort and safety has been achieved, new on-board services will be provided and the existing infrastructure will be fully optimised.