The French SNCF electric Turbotrain RTG T2057 from 1974.

SNCF Class T 2000 trainsets, also known under their French acronym RTG (gas turbine trainset), were the second generation of turbine-powered trains in France and saw commercial service from 1972 to 2004.

T 2000s were equipped with two 775 kW (1,039 hp) Turbomeca Turmo III turbines which drove Voith Hydraulic Transmissions at each end and two auxiliary 300 kW (400 hp) Turbomeca Astazou turbines to power air conditioning and lighting. They were aesthetically similar to the T 1000s, sharing in particular the same driving cabin, yet were built on a longer chassis and featured five passenger cars instead of the T 1000’s three. Also, the paint scheme was different and closely resembled a reversal of the T 1000’s.

Each turboengine was equipped with a 3500-litre diesel tank for use on long routes, with a consumption of 430 litres per hour (95 imp gal/h; 110 US gal/h) for traction and 150 litres per hour (33 imp gal/h; 40 gal/h) for passenger comfort. Electropneumatic braking was performed by cast-iron shoe-and-disc brakes, with electromagnetic track brakes under each bogie for emergency braking.

The second oil crisis, in 1979, prompted the refitting of T 2000s with more fuel-efficient Turmo XII turbines which also offered a power increase from 775 to 1,150 kW (1,039 to 1,542 hp). Unlike T 1000s, the T 2000s’ control equipment was also modified so that a coupled set could be operated by a single engineer.

Read more: History of railways with Alex Meltos ...