VAL 208 explained

VAL 208
Service:2001–present
Manufacturer:Siemens Mobility, Simmering-Graz-Pauker
Factory:Vienna, Austria
Family:Véhicule Automatique Léger
Formation:2 cars per trainset
Carbody:Aluminium alloy
Height:(without air conditioning)
(with air conditioning)
Doors:3 per side
Traction:IGBT VVVF
Traction Motors:8 × MTS-14 brushless DC synchronous motor
Transmission:Parallel Cardan drive
Powersupply:750 V DC third rail
Bogies:SF-VAL208
Safety:ATC (ATO)
Gauge:1620mm

The VAL 208 is one of the VAL series, an automated guideway transit system developed by Matra and Siemens. The vehicles are manufactured at Siemens SGP (Simmering-Graz-Pauker) in Vienna, Austria.

It has been adopted by multiple railway operators since 2000.

The number 208 in the name comes from the fact that the width of the vehicle is 208abbr=onNaNabbr=on.

In the successor to VAL 206, the system is compatible with VAL 206. Normally, automatic operation is performed, but it is possible for the driver to manually operate as necessary.

Overview

Because of automatic operation, the delay is small, the train density can be increased. On the other hand, since this train is basically a two-car train, it is suitable for low-population areas and medium-sized cities.

Interior

Although the vehicle is small, the window is large, so it is a car with open feeling. Due to the relatively cooler and less humid climate of Europe, air conditioning is not included in the basic specification, but is installed only on the Uijeongbu Light Rail Transit rolling stock in South Korea.

Plastics are widely used for many parts, but doors and handrail are made of stainless steel.

The color tone inside the car varies depending on the railway operator.

Traction equipments

The traction control system equips Low-voltage IGBT Chopper control.

The traction motor adopted Alstom's brushless DC motor. The traction motor was self-ventilated, mounted on bogie. It is mounted inside each wheel, and the power from the traction motor is transmitted via the planetary gear and the Cardan joint mechanism.

VAL208NG

A minor change has been done several times in VAL 208, and a major change in specification was made in VAL 208 NG which is a minor change car in 2006. Specific changes are as follows.

Use of the VAL208

CountryLocalityOperatorTypeRemarks
Paris(Charles de Gaulle Airport)Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport(CDGVAL)VAL208NGVAL208NG2
LilleTranspole(Lille Metro)VAL208
RennesSTAR(Rennes Metro)VAL208VAL208NGVAL208NG2
ToulouseTisséo(Toulouse Metro)
TurinGTT(Turin Metro)VAL208VAL208NG
UijeongbuUijeongbu Light Rail Transit(U Line)VAL208NGThe only air conditioned

External links