RENFE Class 730

The RENFE Class 730 or S-730[4] (Spanish: Serie 730 de Renfe, manufacturer's designation Talgo 250) is a high-speed dual-gauge, dual-voltage and hybrid (electric and diesel) trainset consisting of 11 Talgo VII tilting coaches and two power cars, used on Alvia services.[5][6] The class have been nicknamed patitos (ducklings/little ducks), due to the shape of the train nose.[7] They are an upgraded version of RENFE Class 130, in order to extend high-quality services to parts of Spain not on the electrified network, so these hybrid trains can run with both electric and diesel power.

RENFE Class 730 Talgo 250
A Class 730 near Aranjuez, Madrid
In service	Yes
Manufacturer	Talgo[1] / Bombardier (Kassel)[2]
Constructed	2012
Entered service	2012
Number built	15
Capacity	11 coach set: 299 seats, 236 standard, 62 first, 1 special[1]
Operator(s)	RENFE
Specifications
Train length	183 m (600 ft 4.7 in)[1]
Car length	20 m (65 ft 7.4 in) (power car)[1] 13.14 m (43 ft 1.3 in) (passenger car)[3]
Width	2.96 m (9 ft 8.54 in) (power car)[1]
Height	4 m (13 ft 1.48 in) (power car)[1]
Maximum speed	250 km/h (160 mph)
Weight	(?)
Axle load	max. axle load 18 t (17.7 long tons; 19.8 short tons)[1]
Traction system	Electro-diesel (dual-mode)
Prime mover(s)	2x MTU 12V 4000 R43L (S730)
Power output	2,400 kW (3,200 hp) @ 25 kV AC 2,000 kW (2,700 hp) @ 3 kV DC (per power unit)[1] 1.8 MW (2,400 hp) per power car in diesel mode (S730)
Transmission	Electric
Electric system(s)	25 kV 50 Hz AC / 3 kV DC[1]Catenary
Current collection method	Pantograph (2 per power car) high voltage roof mounted electrical bus between power cars.
UIC classification	Bo'Bo' 2,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,2 Bo'Bo' (11 car set)
Bogies	BoBo (power car)[1] Articulated independent wheel 'single axle' in passenger cars[1]
Braking system(s)	2 disc brakes per axle regenerative and rheostatic brakes in power cars[1] pneumatic discs in passenger cars[1]
Multiple working	Yes
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8 ^1⁄2 in) / 1,668 mm (5 ft 5 ^21⁄32 in)[1]

Background and design

The trainsets are designed for high-speed services on conventional Iberian gauge (1,668 mm (5 ft 5 ²¹⁄₃₂ in)) network and standard-gauge high-speed (1,435 mm (4 ft 8 ¹⁄₂ in)) lines; they can change gauge at low speed without stopping using Talgo's RD variable gauge system.[8] The carriages are constructed from aluminium and incorporate the Talgo Pendular passive pendulum tilting system,[9] are sealed against pressure differences for tunnel travel,[1] and have underframe air conditioning, individual audio systems and video displays, rotating and reclining seats and power outlets.[3]

Capacity in standard class is 36 seated, in first class 26 seats, end coaches have lower capacity, one coach is typically used for restaurant/sales services.[1]

The power cars use AC traction motors controlled by IGBT inverters which include integrated auxiliary inverters. Signalling systems can include ETCS Level 2, LZB, ASFA and Ebicab900TBS.[10]

2013 Santiago de Compostela accident

On 24 July 2013 a RENFE class S730[11] running as the Alvia 4155 service from Madrid to Ferrol derailed and crashed near Santiago de Compostela in north-western Spain, killing 78, out of 218 passengers on board. The cause of the accident is not yet officially determined, but the train was alleged to be traveling over twice the posted speed limit while entering a curve, due to the absence of ERTMS.[12]

Future

Proposed Poland-Lithuania high-speed rail will be use Talgo 250 Dual that is designed for running on 1,520 mm (4 ft 11 ²⁷⁄₃₂ in) and 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 ¹⁄₂ in) lines.

See also

• RENFE Class 130
• List of high-speed trains
• Stamps with RENFE Class 730

References

1. Talgo 250 Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine www.talgo.de
2. Bombardier Transportation in Germany Page 14, www.bombardier.com
3. High speed trainsets - subsection Passenger Car Features Archived 2010-03-28 at the Wayback Machine Talgo Series VII Passenger Coaches www.talgoamerica.com
4. From Serie 730 de Renfe
5. Trayectos y Servicios - clase preferente www.renfe.es
6. Trayectos y Servicios - clase turista www.renfe.es
7. "Los nuevos Alvia no convencen", www.lavozdeasturias.es (in Spanish), 11 February 2011
8. “Talgo RD” Variable Gauge System: A solution to eliminate barriers in the transport of goods and passengers between East and West Rail Tech Russis, inter-nation conference, June 2007, conference.europoint.eu
9. The Talgo Pendular Coaches Archived 2011-07-16 at the Wayback Machine www.talgoamerica.com
10. The Talgo Pendular Coaches Archived 2011-07-16 at the Wayback Machine POWER HEAD TALGO 250, Page 7, www.talgoamerica.com
11. http://media.skynews.com/media/images/generated/2013/7/24/250065/default/v1/train-crash-2-1-402x293.png%5B%5D
12. Rodrigo Silva; Antonio Alonso (25 July 2013). "Accidente ferroviario en Santiago de Compostela". El País (in Spanish). Madrid. Retrieved 25 July 2013.

Other sources

• Talgo 250 information sheet www.talgo.es
• Information on the crash absorption and coupling module of the S130 powerheads www.esytech.de

External links

• Renfe Serie 130 Information from www.ferropedia.es