Talgo AVRIL
{{short description|High-speed train}}
{{Infobox train
| background = #FFCF81
| name = Avril
| image = Serie_106_de_Renfe.jpg
| imagealt =
| imagesize =
| caption = Renfe Class 106 train at Córdoba railway station
| interiorimage =
| interiorimagealt =
| interiorcaption =
| stocktype =
| service =
| manufacturer = Talgo
| factory =
| family = Avril
| replaced =
| yearconstruction = 2012
| yearservice =
| refurbishment =
| yearscrapped =
| numberconstruction =
| numberbuilt =
| numberservice =
| numberpreserved =
| numberscrapped =
| formation =
| fleetnumbers =
| capacity = > 500 ({{cvt|200|m|ftin}}) - 735 (low cost version +{{cvt|200|m|ftin}})
| operator =
| depots =
| lines =
| carbody = Aluminum and composite material
| trainlength = {{cvt|200|m|ftin}} (standard version)
| carlength = Trailer car, {{Convert|13|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| width = {{cvt|2.9-3.2|m|ftin}}(according to versions)
| height =
| floorheight =
| platformheight =
| entrylevelorstep =
| doors =
| art-sections =
| maxspeed = Design: {{convert|380|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}
Service: {{convert|300|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}{{Cite web |date=28 February 2025 |title=Network Statement 2026 |url=https://www.adif.es/documents/20124/41522185/20250228_03_NS_Adif_2026_Maps.pdf/56ad5b6f-fc13-ad49-0720-ebb449d0f17e?t=1746005856710 |website=ADIF |at=Map 3 - Maximum Speeds, Types of Electrification and Catenaries}}
| weight = 287 t - 315 t (according to versions)
| acceleration =
| deceleration =
| traction = Up to 12 synchronous motors
| engine =
| poweroutput = 8800 kW - 10000 kW (according to versions)
| transmission =
| aux =
| powersupply = Overhead catenary or
On board generator
(Hybrid propulsion)
| hvac =
| electricsystem = 25 kV/50 Hz; 15 kV/16.7 Hz; 3 kV DC; 1.5 kV DC and multivoltage
| collectionmethod = Pantograph
| uicclass =
| aarwheels =
| bogies =
| brakes = Regenerative dynamic braking, pneumatic brake
| safety =
| coupling =
| multipleworking =
| gauge = Fixed gauge (1,435 mm, 1,520 mm or 1,668 mm) and variable gauge
}}Talgo Avril is a push-pull high-speed train made by Talgo. It stands for "Alta Velocidad Rueda Independiente Ligero" (roughly translated as "Light High-Speed Independent Wheel").{{cite news | url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/10/avril-takes-on-the-airlines.html | title=Talgo's 380 km/h Avril train to take on the airlines | publisher=Railway Gazette International| date=27 July 2009 }}
Design
The train is intended to have a top speed of {{Convert|330|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}{{Cite web |title=AVRIL: Maximum Capacity at High Speed, with Optimal Comfort |url=https://www.talgo.com/en/rolling-stock/very-high-speed/avril/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/index2.php?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.talgo.com%2Fen%2Frolling-stock%2Fvery-high-speed%2Favril%2F#federation=archive.wikiwix.com&tab=url |archive-date=2025-01-15 |quote=Transporting more than 600 passengers at 330km/h}} or {{Convert|380|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}. It has front and rear power cars containing under-floor/over-roof equipment and 12 trailer cars in between the power cars, giving a total seating capacity comparable to those of an electric multiple unit rather than a locomotive-hauled train. The trailer cars have an unusually short length of {{Convert|13|m|ftin|abbr=on}}.
- The train is {{convert|3.2|m|ft}} wide, allowing for a standard 3+2 seating arrangement that gives a passenger capacity of up to 600.
- Versions for fixed gauge (1,435 mm, 1,520 mm or 1,668 mm) and variable gauge are planned.
- The traction system is compatible with four voltages—25 kV/50 Hz; 15 kV/16.7 Hz; 3 kV DC; 1.5 kV DC.
History
Talgo presented the Avril concept at the InnoTrans fair in Berlin in September 2010.{{cite news | url=http://www.20minutos.es/noticia/823720/0/avril/tren/alta-velocidad/ | title=Avril, tren español de "muy alta velocidad" (in Spanish)| date=24 September 2010| publisher=20minutos}} After several years of development and testing, the first order for Avril trains was placed in November 2016, when Spanish operator Renfe Operadora signed a €786.5 million contract for 15 train sets and 30 years of maintenance.{{cite web | url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/high-speed/single-view/view/talgo-wins-spanish-high-speed-train-order.html | title=Talgo wins Spanish high speed train order | publisher=Railway Gazette International | date=28 November 2016 | access-date=16 March 2018}} In May 2017, Renfe Operadora ordered 15 more train sets, with the Avril's entry into service expected in 2020,{{cite web | url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/traction-rolling-stock/single-view/view/renfe-orders-gauge-changing-high-speed-trainsets.html | title=RENFE orders gauge-changing high speed trainsets | publisher=Railway Gazette International | date=1 June 2017 | access-date=16 March 2018}} delayed to March 2024.{{Cite web |last=Vila |first=Carlos I. Castrillón, Ángel |date=2024-01-05 |title=Los trenes Avril a 300 km/h Vigo-Madrid llegan con los Reyes Magos, y serán también low cost |url=https://metropolitano.gal/enfoque/los-trenes-avril-a-300-km-h-vigo-madrid-llegan-con-los-reyes-magos-y-seran-tambien-low-cost/ |access-date=2024-01-07 |website=Metropolitano |language=es}}
In 2023, French operator Le Train signed a €300 million contract for 10 train sets and 30 years of maintenance.{{Cite web |last=Artymiuk |first=Simon |date=2023-01-24 |title=Le Train signs contract with Talgo for 10 Avril high-speed trains |url=https://www.railjournal.com/passenger/high-speed/le-train-signs-contract-with-talgo-for-10-avril-high-speed-trains/ |access-date=2023-01-29 |website=International Railway Journal |language=en-GB}}
From 21 May 2024, Renfe schedules new AVE services to the Spanish regions of Asturias and Galicia, operated by variable gauge Talgo Avril trains under the class name S-106. Those AVE services are replacing the previously Alvia services Madrid Chamartín-Gijón and Castellón de la Plana/Vinaros-Gijón via Oviedo in Asturias and the Alvia services Madrid-A Coruña and Madrid-Vigo via Santiago de Compostela, Vilagarcía de Arousa and Pontevedra in Galicia.{{Cite web| last = Felipe | first = Santiago | title = Renfe estrenará los nuevos Avril el 21 de mayo con nueve servicios que atravesarán Castilla y León hacia Asturias y Galicia| url = https://www.larazon.es/castilla-y-leon/renfe-estrenara-nuevos-avril-21-mayo-nueve-servicios-que-atravesaran-castilla-leon-asturias-galicia_20240417661febc0c0b95c00010005a3.html |work = www.larazon.es|language=es| accessdate = 18 April 2024| date = 17 April 2024}} In addition Talgo Avril will replace S-112 trains for the Avlo Madrid–Barcelona, Madrid–Valencia, Madrid–Alicante and Murcia–Madrid–Valladolid services.{{cite web|url=https://www.renfe.com/es/es/grupo-renfe/comunicacion/renfe-al-dia/sala-de-prensa/renfe-pone-circulacion-s106-incremento-14400-plazas-para-servicios-avlo-circulan-madrid-aragon-cataluna-comunitat-valenciana-murcia |title=Renfe pone en circulación los S-106 con un incremento de 14.400 plazas para los servicios Avlo que circulan entre Madrid, Aragón, Cataluña, Comunitat Valenciana y Murcia |date=26 April 2024 |publisher=Renfe |language=es |access-date=3 May 2024 }}
A Talgo Avril train reached 360 km/h top-speed on the Ourense-Santiago de Compostela high-speed line on Iberian gauge as part of homologation testing. {{Cite web| last = May| first = Tiana| title = Talgo Avril Achieves New Speed Record in Iberian Gauge| work = Railway-News| accessdate = 2022-10-15| date = 2022-09-09| url = https://railway-news.com/talgo-avril-achieves-new-speed-record-in-iberian-gauge/}}
Gallery
File:Talgo AVRIL.jpg|Talgo Avril concept at InnoTrans 2012
File:Máquina Talgo AVRIL.jpg|Coupling of the Avril concept