options
hide options panelElectrics
37 photos
updated : 2020-12-17
SNCF's electric locos have lost a lot of work in recent years. EMUs now handle most passenger trains, while Fret SNCF's traffic has declined. There were still a wide variety of classes at work in the early years of the 21st Century but the majority of classes pictured here have either gone or are on their way out.
Diesels
5 photos
updated : 2020-12-17
The classic SNCF main line diesel designs of the 1960s and 1970s are rapidly disappearing as DMUs oust them from passenger work and more modern locos take over their freight duties. Classes CC72100 and BB67400 locos are represented here but there aren't many pictures.
BMMUs
1 photo
updated : 2022-09-13
BMMUs are bi-mode units capable of running as EMUs on electrified lines and using another power source elsewhere, usually diesel but batteries or hydrogen fuel cells are also possible. SNCF has a fleet of Bombardier AGC and Alstom Regiolis bi-mode units for regional and InterCities services.
EMUs
6 photos
updated : 2020-12-17
EMUs cover a wide range of duties in France from local passengers on rural lines through suburban work around big cities to TGVs speeding across the country at up to 350km/h. TGVs and other EMUs have replaced most electric loco hauled trains on domestic and international services.
Freight
12 photos
updated : 2020-12-17
It's no secret that most freight operators avoid sending their trains through France whenever possible and Fret SNCF doesn't seem capable of retaining traffic, let alone attracting more to rail. Although there are some independent operators, there isn't a vast amount of freight to photograph on most lines.
Loco Hauled Passengers
30 photos
updated : 2020-12-17
SNCF still operates all but a few passenger services in France and has been replacing loco hauled trains with new EMUs, DMUs or bi-mode units. There is still some loco haulage but it has declined over the past few years and most of the services shown here are now worked by units or no longer run.
Although France is Britain's nearest neighbour, French railways haven't featured on many of my trips. Infrequent trains, erratic timetables and the total foreignness of the place made visits hard work in a way that other European countries weren't. A great shame as many of the locos were superb.
These pictures were taken on visits to the superbly scenic but lightly trafficked main line along the Mediterranean coast, north of the Spanish border, on the trunk route through the Saverne Gap west of Strasbourg and on the long cross-country Paris - Belfort route, before DMUs took over long distance passenger traffic from the CC72100 diesels . All the photos were taken on trips since 2008.
