TGV-PBKA detail

A detailed view onto the automatic Scharfenberg-coupler of a TGV-PBKA.
They are used to let the TGV-trainsets run in so-called "multiple units", increasing their capacity. The side-door is also open, it lets the driver/engineer taking a closer view onto the coupler's technology and provides a better 'entry' in case of maintenance work.
Mostly the PBKA-trainsets from Cologne are coupled with the PBA's (or also PBKA's!) from Amsterdam in Bruxelles-Midi, then they run together to Paris.

All Highspeedtrains of the TGV-family (Sud-Est, Atlantique, Réseau, Duplex, PBA, PBKA, Eurostar, AVE, Euromed and KTX) are equipped with such couplers and can operate in multiple units (maximum 2 trains), since the year 1981, the beginning of commercial TGV services in France. That's about 15 years earlier than in Germany (ICE 2)!!!
And the "special TGV's", like the tilting TGV- P 01 (TGV-Pendulaire) or the TGV 'La Poste' also have got the Scharfenberg-coupler.