SNCF Class Z 5300

SNCF Class Z 5300 is an ageing class 3 and 4 car Electric Multiple Unit, for Paris Regional services. They were built by Carel & Fouche between 1965-1968 and 1972-1975. Many of these have been withdrawn now.

Characteristics

These stainless steel-bodied EMUs were built as 4-car units including a driving motor car, two intermediate trailers and a driving trailer. However, some units were shortened to three or two cars by removing one or both of the intermediate trailers. Up to three elements can be coupled together.^[1] The power supply is 1500 V DC with electromechanical traction equipment.

Livery

As the use of stainless steel eliminates the need for painting, the units are basically silvery, with originally only an orange stripe between the headlights. They are therefore nicknamed petit gris (i.e. "little gray", but also the name of a snail), couscoussière, "silver arrow" or "tin can". However, as some units were modified, the doors were painted red, light blue or dark blue according to the services they were intended for. Since 2011, only red-doored units subsist; red doors mean that the unit is fitted with EAS (exploitation à agent seul, i.e. "single crew operation"), and may be operated without a guard.

Operation

Current

As of 2015, Z 5300s are operating on two commuter services in the south-east of Paris:

• Melun-Juvisy (RER D), and
• Melun-Montereau through Héricy (Transilien, R line).

Discontinued

This class used to operate on many other services, but has been replaced by more recent stock. Such services include:^[1]

• Paris-Lyon-Montereau,
• Paris-Lyon-Montargis,
• Paris-Montparnasse-Rambouillet,
• Paris-Montparnasse-Plaisir-Grignon,
• Commuter services on the southern part of RER C,
• Paris-Montparnasse-Chartres,
• Paris-Montparnasse-Le Mans,
• Paris-Austerlitz-Orleans,
• Shuttle services between Orleans and Les Aubrais (connection with mainline services) with 3-car elements,
• Shuttle services between Tours and Saint Pierre des Corps on the same principle.

Gallery

• 

  Z 5423 arriving at Tours

• 

  A Z5300 and Z20500 at Corbeil-Essonnes.

• 

  Z 5353 on a passenger service.

• 

  Z 5310 is seen at Juvisy on RER line D

References

• Haydock, David; Fox, Peter [1999]. European Handbook No. 4 French Railways Locomotives & Multiple Units, Third Edition, Sheffield, UK: Platform 5 Publishing Ltd.. ISBN 1-872524-87-7.