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The French National Railways (SNCF) March 19 inked several deals with Alstom Transport culminating in rolling-stock orders worth $251 million.



SNCF ordered 10 double-deck electrical multiple unit (EMU) trains, comprising two motor and two trailer cars, for use in the Ile de France region surrounding Paris. Delivery of the $66 million order is scheduled to take place between May and December 2003.



The national railway also signed a follow-on order for 29 electric regional trains, known as ZTERs, worth $134 million. (The order brings to 51 the total number of regional trains SNCF has ordered from Alstom.) The three-car EMUs, which have capacity for 214 seated passengers, travel at 124 mph.



Alstom then placed a $25.5 million order with Bombardier Transportation to supply the trailer cars and carrying bogies.



Meanwhile, SNCF also exercised an option for 40 additional "ATER" regional trains from Alstom’s CORADIA™ line, valued at $51 million. (This order brings to 299 the total number of ATER trains SNCF has ordered from Alstom.) The diesel trains have a capacity of 81 seated passengers and operate at 87 mph.