Home Open Account Help 215 users online

European Railroad Discussion > Southeast France


Date: 03/31/25 20:27
Southeast France
Author: symph1

I made two trips to Bourg Ste. Maurice since Christmas: one from London and then to Nice, and one to and from the Lyon–Saint Exupéry Airport TGV station. Coming from London I changed to TGV in Lille Europe, to avoid changing stations in Paris. I made a total of 9 connections, wherever the SNCF app told me to go. Every single train was exactly on time. Connections were also in Lyon Part Dieu (the main downtown station), Montmelian, Grenoble, Chambery, Valence TGV, and Valence Ville.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/31/25 20:44 by symph1.








Date: 03/31/25 20:28
Re: Southeast France
Author: symph1

1. Montmelian
2. Lyon Part Dieu
3. Lille Europe








Date: 03/31/25 20:31
Re: Southeast France
Author: symph1

A study in contrasts: Lyon airport TGV station, as seen from the airport (walkway on right so you never go outside) and inside; the beautiful old station in Nice.








Date: 03/31/25 20:33
Re: Southeast France
Author: symph1

These regional trains are everywhere on locals. A bit spartan, but they get you where you're going.








Date: 03/31/25 20:34
Re: Southeast France
Author: symph1

Montmelian is a very busy rail junction.








Date: 03/31/25 20:37
Re: Southeast France
Author: symph1

1. These older coaches are very comfortable, though the bathrooms are not very modern. Taken at Valence Ville (downtown, as opposed to the TGV line station). I rode one of the blue regional trains Bourg Ste Maurice to Montmelian, then this train to Valence Ville, and a TGV from here to Lyon–Saint Exupéry Airport TGV station.
2. Seen from one of my trains. Thanks for looking.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/31/25 20:42 by symph1.






Date: 04/01/25 04:09
Re: Southeast France
Author: dan

great variety!



Date: 04/01/25 17:50
Re: Southeast France
Author: dwatry

Spotted a few "Nez Caisses" I see!   Cool locos.



Date: 04/02/25 09:30
Re: Southeast France
Author: ironmtn

Another very interesting report on your travels to Bourg Ste. Maurice. Thanks for the great coverage and photos.

MC



Date: 04/02/25 22:52
Re: Southeast France
Author: SOO6617

symph1 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> 1. These older coaches are very comfortable,
> though the bathrooms are not very modern. Taken at
> Valence Ville (downtown, as opposed to the TGV
> line station). I rode one of the blue regional
> trains Bourg Ste Maurice to Montmelian, then this
> train to Valence Ville, and a TGV from here to
> Lyon–Saint Exupéry Airport TGV station.

Note this locomotive has an "R" suffix, this means
that the locomotive is restricted to 1.5kV DC lines
only.



Date: 04/28/25 17:35
Re: Southeast France
Author: Steinzeit2

SOO6617 Wrote:

> Note this locomotive has an "R" suffix, this
> means
> that the locomotive is restricted to 1.5kV DC
> lines
> only.

Wouldn't that train have run via Grenoble, which is AC I think except for the stations at each endpoint mentioned ?  To stay DC only it would have to run vis Amberieu and Lyon, I believe.  I was thinking the R might indicate "Reversibilité" ?

With best regards, SZ



Date: 04/29/25 18:38
Re: Southeast France
Author: SOO6617

Steinzeit2 Wrote:
---------------------------------------------------
> Wouldn't that train have run via Grenoble, which
> is AC I think except for the stations at each
> endpoint mentioned ?  To stay DC only it would
> have to run vis Amberieu and Lyon, I believe.  I
> was thinking the R might indicate "Reversibilité"
> ?
>

With the run-down of locomotive hauled
passenger trains, SNCF Intercités has reduced
maintenance on the locomotives and the AC
side of these locomotives has greater complexity.
Either the Tap Changer or the  Transformer can
be the source of the problem. From an original
total of 205 locomotives built, less than fifty are
still operational and many (most?) are now 
restricted to the DC lines. BB7200 are even
more restricted and fewer remain. With Fret
SNCF's problems it is a similar problem with
their much newer Alstom Prima BB27000
locomotives with many having the "R"
branding. I haven't seen a Sybic with the
"R" but their numbers are dwindling too. 



Date: 04/30/25 13:29
Re: Southeast France
Author: 86235

SOO6617 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
> Note this locomotive has an "R" suffix, this
> means
> that the locomotive is restricted to 1.5kV DC
> lines
> only.

According to Platform 5's French Railways - Locomotives & Multiple Units the R means they're equipped for push-pull operation.



[ Share Thread on Facebook ] [ Search ] [ Start a New Thread ] [ Back to Thread List ] [ <Newer ] [ Older> ] 
Page created in 0.0711 seconds