Route French Route Suggestion : Lyon Part-dieu -> Saint-étienne Châteaucreux (ter Auvergne - Rhône-alpes)

General Overview:

Route name: Lyon Part-Dieu → Saint-Étienne Châteaucreux
Distance: ~60 km (~37 miles)
Travel time: ~45–50 minutes per trip
Electrification: 25 kV 50 Hz AC
Speed limit: up to 140 km/h (87 mph)
Tracks: double-track mainline
Signalling: French BAL and BAPR system (automatic block signalling + remote blocks)
Traffic type: dense regional passenger traffic, some Intercités and freight

This line connects Lyon, France’s 3rd largest city, to Saint-Étienne, a historic industrial hub.
It’s part of the TER Auvergne–Rhône-Alpes network, operated by SNCF, and is often described as the busiest regional railway in France with over 20,000 passengers daily.

Stations and Route Layout:

1. Lyon Part-Dieu – Major national hub, shared by TGV, TER, and freight services. Dense overhead wiring and multi-track throat area, perfect for immersion.

2. Oullins – Suburban stop right after the tunnel leaving Lyon; modern station architecture.

3. Pierre-Bénite (some services only) – Small local station with shorter platforms.

4. Givors-Ville – Industrial setting surrounded by factories; junction point toward the Rhône river right-bank line.

5. Rive-de-Gier – Typical mid-sized valley town with an S-shaped layout and bridges.

6. Saint-Chamond – A busy commuter town; regular crossing point for TERs in opposite directions.

7. Saint-Étienne Châteaucreux – Major terminus, with maintenance sidings, freight yards, and Intercités departures.

Scenery and Terrain:

The line runs through three distinct environments:

Urban zone (Lyon to Oullins): tunnels, viaducts, and dense suburban scenery.

Industrial valley (Givors to Rive-de-Gier): factories, warehouses, and the Rhône river nearby.

Mountain foothills (Saint-Chamond to Saint-Étienne): climbing gradients, forests, and rock cuttings.

It’s a visually diverse line, mixing city density, rural countryside, and mountain approaches, with frequent weather changes typical of the Rhône-Alpes region.

Rolling Stock Suggestions:

Main rolling stock:

Z 24500 / TER 2N NG – the iconic double-deck regional EMU, used daily on this route.

Regio 2N – newer double-deck trains operating alongside the Z 24500 fleet.

BB 22200 + Corail coaches – classic locomotive-hauled sets still occasionally used for peak-hour TER or Intercités. (Future loco Add-On)

BB 26000 (Sybic) – freight and regional substitution duties. (Future loco Add on)

Optional AI layers:

TGV Duplex / TGV Réseau passing through Lyon Part-Dieu.

Fret SNCF locomotives (BB 27000, BB 75000, BB 7200) around Givors or Saint-Étienne yards.

Gameplay Opportunities:

This line offers a perfect balance between regional commuter gameplay and operational variety:

Frequent TER services: every 15–20 minutes during peak hours.

Busy timetable: dense AI traffic near Lyon, perfect for immersion.

Scenarios ideas:

Rush-hour services with tight timetables and passenger delays.

Freight diversions through the valley during maintenance works.

Historical scenario with BB 22200 + Corail formations.

Adverse weather and low adhesion challenges in autumn.

Regio 2N substitution runs due to rolling stock shortage.

Why This Route Fits Train Sim World Perfectly:

Ideal distance: 60 km fits TSW’s format — long enough for realism, short enough for replayability.

Varied operations: high-frequency regional, occasional Intercités, freight — all realistic.

Rich French atmosphere: signage, stations, scenery, and catenary distinctive to France.

Easy extensions: could later be expanded to Roanne or Le Puy-en-Velay for diesel operations (AGC or XTER).

Cultural relevance: Lyon–Saint-Étienne is one of the most recognizable daily commuter routes in the country.

Potential Add-Ons / Layers:

Depot activities: Saint-Étienne Châteaucreux shunting and depot management.

Optional heritage layer: CC 6500 for early-2000s “Maurienne era” runs (for nostalgia fans).

Conclusion:

This line combines everything Train Sim World does best:
dense traffic, complex signalling, immersive scenery, and multiple rolling stock types — all in a realistic real-world corridor.
It’s France’s busiest regional line, and a perfect showcase for SNCF operations.

 

Nice suggestion. About time we had some more (and classic) French content.

 

Thank you very much !

 

Excellent suggestion, I'd love a regional french route because I love France.

 

Thank you very much ! Yes, France has an incredible network.