With the Coradia Polyvalent, Alstom offers a multiple unit that is available purely electric or as a dual-powered train with diesel and electric drive. As is typical for the Coradia, the entire drive technology, including the diesel engines, is located on the roof. Various versions are available for use on suburban routes, in regional traffic and in intercity traffic. From the framework contract for 1,000 trains, the SNCF called off 387 units as “Régiolis” until 2020. 17 and 15 trains respectively were also sold to Algeria and Senegal. The trains are now being produced and further developed by CAF. In the future, the diesel engines will be replaced by batteries, and a fuel cell drive is also under development.

Since the PO/Midi had some only partially electrified branch lines in the south of France, they developed a railcar that could run electrically via overhead lines and diesel-electrically. The two vehicles built by Alsthom had the pantograph above the powered bogie and a diesel engine with two generators above the other bogie. Heating was via a steam boiler.

The two vehicles were put into service by the SNCF as the XAT 1000 and were given the nickname “Autorail amphibie”. From Bordeaux they ran the first part east under overhead wire and continued to Bergerac or Périgueux using the diesel engine. During the Second World War, due to the lack of fuel, they ran almost exclusively on electric power, while after the war they ran almost exclusively on diesel-electric power. In 1952, even the electrical operation equipment was removed, while two smaller diesel engines of 209 kW each were installed. They continued to operate in this configuration until 1959.

The A-Train is a large family of trainsets with electric power transmission that is being used in multiple countries. One thing in common for all models of the family is that their bodies are constructed from double skin aluminium extruded sections, which are friction stir welded. The type AT300 designates a number of classes used for intercity and long-distance services in the UK.

The first was the class 395 “Javelin” ordered by Southeastern for the High Speed 1. They have an operational top speed of 140 mph (225 km/h) and also have the French safety systems KVB and TVM-430. Depending on section, they are either operating under DC with the British safety systems at a top speed of 100 mph or under AC with the French safety systems at their full speed.

For intercity traffic with 125 mph (201 km/h), a programme called “Hitachi Super Express” was launched in 2009. This led to the classes 800 to 803, 805, 807 and 810 of which the first ones were built in 2014. They are operating under brands like “Azuma”, “Nova”, “Paragon”, “Evero” and “Aurora”. All of them can operate under 25 kV AC and some are bi-mode trains with powerful MTU power packs. The latest one, the class 810 “Aurora” that is currently being introduced by East Midlands Railway, forms a five-car set that delivers nearly 4,000 hp in diesel mode from four power packs and nearly 5,400 hp in AC mode.

The “Train Suite Shiki-shima” is a luxury train that offers two- to four-day tours on scenic routes. In order to be able to run on different lines, it has the equipment for direct and alternating current and two additional diesel engines, each with 1,800 kW. The design was drawn by Ken Okuyama. The train has a total of ten suite, dining and observation cars and has a total capacity of just 34 passengers. Tour tickets can cost up to $10,000 per person.

The series 730 is a dual power high speed train that was created by rebuilding 15 sets of the series 130. The first and last trailer cars were replaced by new end cars with a diesel generator that runs on a two-axle bogie. Each one in powered by a V12 diesel from MTU with 1,800 kW. When running on a non-electrified line, both generators transfer their powere to the train line of which a total of 2,400 kW are being used to power the traction motors in the power cars. The rest is being used to supply the passenger cars. The trains still retained their gauge change functionality and their passive tilting mechanism and are still capable to run either under AC or DC. Like the 130, they reach 250 km/h under AC and 220 km/h under DC. In diesel mode, the top speed is limited to 180 km/h.