European Railroad Discussion > More SNCF 1980

More SNCF from June 1980.   These shots are all from Villenueve St George station in Paris, outside Gare de Lyon, on the old PLM mainline to Lyon and Marseille.  This was right before the first TGV line opened, so all the express passenger trains were still on the historic PLM mainline, often behind rather ancient looking boxcabs.  And plenty of freight, also.  I apologize for the graininess/darkness of a few - I think this was Ektachrome that seems to be degrading.

1)  I think this was the catch of the day - a northbound express train behind one of the large 2-D-2 Class 9100s.
2)  Northbound freight behind double-headed Class 300 boxcabs. 
3)  Northbound freight behind a newer Class 7200.
 



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 06/04/21 10:02 by dwatry.

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4)  Southbound train of Corail stock behind a Class 7200.
5)  Northbound set of Budd-licensed Class Z5100 EMUs.  With 4 sets of doors per carside - these must have been real crowd-swallowers!
6)  TGV trainset testing prior to opening of first TGV line. 



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 06/04/21 10:02 by dwatry.

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Fine images, location, and timing--just before the radical transformation began. Thanks for sharing!

Agree on the photos: really nice to see older electric classes which often seem to get ignored: perhaps they were seen as the interlopers by steam era photographers who preferred looking back to looking forward. 

Fantastic, and not a speck of graffiti in sight!

One small quibble: I believe the notched-nose units pictured are from the 7200 (4-axle DC electric units) rather than 72000 (6-axle diesel electric units) class. In any case, I love all the members of the "nose" 👃 family! 

Pennengineer - so right - thanks for the edit.

Wonderful Duncan. It was still a good location 10 years ago, not sure now.

Great photos from what was one the best train watching places in France, and one of my all time favourite locations.

Although it's a matter of opinion I think the 'catch of the day' was the BB 300's in UM -- it was getting late in their day, especially the prewar ones, to be out on the road and in unrebuilt form.  A transfer from Juvisy, or a through freight from the SW Region. to Villeneuve, I wonder.

Here's a pair of photos from my first visit in 1966:
  -- The Blue Train behind a BB 9200;  note the leading vehicle, a CIWL luggage van
  -- A CC 7100 southbound with an express

With best regards,

SZ

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