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French National Railways (SNCF) Dec. 13 awarded a $1.5 billion contract to Bombardier Transportation for 500 high-capacity Regional Express Trains type Autorail Grande Capacite (ACG); 192 trains valued at $626 million will comprise the initial, firm part of the contract.



AGC trains are available in several versions with capacity ranging from 160 to 220 seats, depending on the number of cars, and interiors offering either "High Class" or "Intercity". Trains can operate on diesel fuel, electricity or both.



SNCF’s order comprises trains using various combinations of the features, including the bi-modal diesel/electric version.



The trains will be designed and produced at Bombardier’s Crespin manufacturing site in France’s Valenciennes region; deliveries would begin in first-quarter 2004 and gradually reach a rate of eight trains per month.