Tramway Français Standard

The Tramway Français Standard, or TFS, is a tramcar used on tramway systems in France. It was manufactured by Alstom, the France-based multinational company whose businesses are power generation and transport. The TFS is no longer in production, having been superseded by Alstom's Citadis range of tramcars.cite news | first = C.J. | last = Wansbeek | title = Nantes expansion | work = Tramways & Urban Transit | publisher = Ian Allan Ltd / Light Rail Transit Association | url = http://www.lrta.info/articles/art0101.html | date = January 2001 | accessdate = 2008-08-27 ]

Two different models of the TFS were produced. The first model, the TFS-1, was built for the opening of the Nantes tram system in 1985. As built, these were single-articulated 6-axle tramcars with a high floor and steep stepped access from low level boarding platforms. All the tramcars built in this form have since been rebuilt with an added low-floor centre section, thus becoming 8-axle double-articulated cars. Nantes subsequently bought further TFS-1 trams in this 8-axle configuration.cite news | first = C.J. | last = Wansbeek | title = Nantes expansion | work = Tramways & Urban Transit | publisher = Ian Allan Ltd / Light Rail Transit Association | url = http://www.lrta.info/articles/art0101.html | date = January 2001 | accessdate = 2008-08-27 ]

For the opening of the Grenoble tram system, the TFS-2 variant was created. This was also a 6-axle tramcar, but had a different articulation mechanism with a very short central section carried on a four-wheel truck. This allowed a low floor to be carried through most of the length of the car and between the wheels of the central truck, although the sections over the outer bogies are still at a high level and accessed by three steps from the low floor section. All the doors are within the low floor section. The advantages of this layout ensured that all subsequent users of the TFS tramcar have adopted the TFS-2 variant.cite news | first = C.J. | last = Wansbeek | title = Nantes expansion | work = Tramways & Urban Transit | publisher = Ian Allan Ltd / Light Rail Transit Association | url = http://www.lrta.info/articles/art0101.html | date = January 2001 | accessdate = 2008-08-27 ]

TFS-2

Technical data

The tramcars are articulated vehicles and are convert|29.40|m|abbr=on long and 44.2 tonne in weight. The cars cannot work as multiple units although in case of an emergency two cars may be coupled using an emergency coupling system. With one tramcar not functioning, and braking diminished, speed is limited to 10 km/h.

The tramcars have the following characteristics:

Car

The tramcar is built on a chassis 2.3 m wide joined by a central chassis on which is assembled a unique pantograph. The car has 3 bogeys, one on each ends and one below the central portion.

Only the central parts of the cars have a lowered floor, at 34.5 cm high to enable access to disabled users by four doors. The parts at both ends of the tramcars are built at 87.5 cm high accessible by a small three step staircase.

Engine

Two powered bogeys are equipped with a 275 kW engine motor. This additional power gives the TFS a high acceleration and makes it easy to use on strong gradients and lines with additional stops with a top speed of 70 km/h.

Operation

The TFS tramcar is operated with one driver member of staff only and no ticket inspector. The driver is responsible for the closure of the doors as it is the norm on RER trains. Driving is made easy by the use of a unique lever, responsible for acceleration and breaking. The tramcars are equipped with land-train radios and ICS, infrared SAM and onboard pointwork control.

Fleet

The TFS is used on the tramway lines near Paris, Grenoble, Rouen, Nantes and Saint Etienne.

Reference