French railway news
News about railway, metro and tram infrastructure, operations, policy, projects and the supply industry in France, from Railway Gazette International.
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In depthComment: Demography is destiny
The demographic challenges facing many countries around the world mean that rail’s ability to cost-effectively deliver benefits in low-density regions such as rural Japan or much of France is in the spotlight, our Executive Editor Nick Kingsley warns.
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NewsSNCF Voyageurs orders CAF trainsets for Région Sud contract
FRANCE: SNCF Voyageurs has confirmed an order for 22 CAF Régiolis electric multiple-units for use on the Marseille – Aubagne – Toulon – Hyères and Marseille – Toulon – Les Arcs-Draguignan routes.
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In depthEurope: Franco-Italian Mont Cenis base tunnel project forges ahead
A key element in the east-west Mediterranean Corridor, the Mont Cenis base tunnel will be a cornerstone of the TEN-T network, as well as offering an improved link between the French and Italian capitals. Reinhard Christeller reports from the construction site.
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NewsSète rail motorway terminal inaugurated
FRANCE: SNCF’s rolling motorway subsidiary VIIA has formally inaugurated its Autoroute Ferroviaire terminal at the Port of Sète.
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NewsCSEE commissions its first Argos digital interlocking
FRANCE: A consortium led by MerMec subsidiary Compagnie des Signaux, working with Eiffage Energie Systemes and Systra, has commisioned its first Argos digital interlocking on the Réding – Saverne pilot line in the Grand Est region.
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NewsLyon – Bordeaux link leads SNCF’s Ouigo expansion drive
FRANCE: National operator SNCF has unveiled a further expansion of its Ouigo low-cost passenger operation, including a service linking Lyon with Bordeaux.
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NewsConstruction of Dunkerque rail-road transhipment terminal gets underway
FRANCE: Modalis Group and Dunkerque-Port have laid the foundation stone for the €25m Western Port rail-road transhipment terminal.
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NewsEcoTrain launched to target very light rail opportunities in France and Belgium
FRANCE: Dynamic testing of a lightweight trainset for secondary lines is underway follwing the unveiling of the EcoTrain.
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NewsParis metro fleet renewal reaches milestone as first MF19 trainset enters traffic
FRANCE: The first of up to 410 next-generation trainsets worth €3bn has entered service on Paris metro Line 10. Jérémie Anne reports.
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NewsGemini Trains still hopes to exploit Channel Tunnel capacity
EUROPE: Gemini Trains still has ambitions to launch train services between the UK and continental Europe, despite the rejection of its application for depot access rights needed to enable it to launch services from London to Paris, Brussels and eventually Köln.
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NewsCastex predicts ‘the mother of all battles’ to fund French rail infrastructure as he takes over at SNCF
FRANCE: Former Prime Minister and RATP Chief Executive Jean Castex promised to ‘fix the foundations’ of SNCF as he was confirmed in the role of President of the national railway holding group.
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NewsBranson promises ‘Virgin magic’ to shake-up cross-Channel train services ‘for good’
EUROPE: Virgin Group has set out more details of its planned Channel Tunnel high speed train services and its funding partners, with founder Sir Richard Branson saying ’it’s time to end this 30-year monopoly and bring some Virgin magic to the cross-Channel route’.
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NewsLille orders automated light metro trains
FRANCE: Métropole Européenne de Lille has awarded Siemens Mobility a contract to supply 57 rubber-tyred automated light metro trainsets for use on Line 2.
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NewsEurostar orders Celestia double-deck high speed trains
EUROPE: Eurostar has announced a €1·4bn order for 30 Alstom Avelia Horizon double-deck high speed trainsets, with options for 20 more.
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NewsSNCF Voyageurs wins Région Sud train operating contract
FRANCE: Région Sud has selected SNCF Voyageurs for the contract to operate the Lot 3 package of Zou! branded regional passenger train services.
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NewsRATP Dev selected for Normandie passenger train operating contract
FRANCE: The Normandie région has selected RATP Dev as preferred bidder for a contract to operate its first tendered package of regional passenger train services.
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NewsGemini selects high speed train supplier for planned Uber-branded Eurostar competitor
EUROPE: Aspiring Channel Tunnel high speed train operator Gemini Trains has selected Siemens Mobility Velaro Novo trainsets for its proposed services from London to Paris, Brussels and Köln.
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NewsParis to Wien and Berlin night trains to end after French government withdraws subsidy
EUROPE: The Paris – Wien and Paris – Berlin sleeper train services are to end with the December 14 2025 timetable change, following the French Ministry of Transport’s decision to withdraw funding for their operation.
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NewsPortalp Group launches dedicated rail business
FRANCE: The Portalp Group has formed Portalp Railway as a legal entity bringing together its platform screen door, guided transport systems and rail-sector access control and metalwork activities.
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Metro Report InternationalRéunion Express interurban light rail plan revived
FRANCE: The overseas territory of La Réunion and its five municipalities have signed a ‘partnership roadmap’ for revival of the Réunion Express interurban light rail project along with bus and road improvements designed to reduce dependency on private cars and cut carbon emissions.