AVE Class 102

The AVE Class 102 or S-102 (nicknamed "Pato" in Spanish, because of its nose that looks like the beak of a duck, "pato" in Spanish) is a high-speed train used for the AVE service and operated in Spain by the state-run railway company RENFE. Outside of AVE service, Talgo markets this train as Talgo 350.

Further production of closely related trains, differing in seating arrangement resulted in the S-112.

Background, design and orders

The AVE Class 102 was constructed by Talgo with Adtranz (later Bombardier Transportation) providing the power car technology. It was principally designed for the Madrid-Barcelona line.

The trainsets consist of Talgo passenger cars modified in order to allow speeds of up to 350 km/h (220 mph) with power cars at each end. However, its certified maximum operating speed is 330 km/h (210 mph) due to the limits of its eight 1,000 kW (1,300 hp) motors. The trainsets can consist of up to 12 Talgo series VII coaches.

The train is nicknamed Pato, Spanish for duck, due to the aerodynamic design of the power cars resembling a beak. The beak design reduces noise created by air resistance at top speeds.