Good afternoon everyone. Today I'll continue with my second proposal for a French ordinary route: the "PLM" ( or "Ligne Impériale") Paris-Lyon-Marseille Main Line. In particular, the Dijon-Ville/Mâcon-Ville section. It would be set in 2022, in the transition period between the old and new commuter traction. We're in Eastern France, in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté Region. Between the Côte-d'Or and Saône-et-Loire departments. The huge valley of the Saône and Doubs Rivers extends between the Morvan and Jura mountain ranges, forming the backdrop to this route. The endless vineyards to the North and the cultivated fields/meadows South. All dotted with numerous manors/Châteaux that characterise this area of France. All so close to Switzerland! The route starts from the important city of Dijon, primary crossroads between numerous lines here, descending towards the towns of Beaune and Chagny. Until reaching Chalon-sur-Saône. From here, following the Saône, you cross Tournus. Reaching the final destination, Mâcon. The last Burgundy city before entering Auvergne Rhône-Alpes, towards Lyon. This is my Paris-Lyon-Marseille Main Line: Dijon-Ville to Mâcon-Ville! GENERAL FEATURES The section in question is 125.5km (78mi) long. Plus 2km (1.2mi) of freight branch. The line is served by double track, standard gauge (1435 mm/4 ft 8+1⁄2 in), electrified 1,5kV DC OHLE. Single track, unelectrified, on the freight branch. The entire path is equipped with: - BAL (Block automatique lumineux), literally "Automatic Luminous Block", as signaling system. - KVB (Contrôle de vitesse par balises), literally "Speed control by beacons", as regards safety system adopted. - GSM-R and RST ready, as regard comm. Most of the line is equipped with IPCS, allowing the same track to be traveled in both directions. The maximum gradient on this section reaches 1.6% (16x1000), at several, short stretches along the central area of this route. The maximum permitted speed reaches 140-160km/h (87-100mph) as regards passenger convoys. 120km/h (75mph), as regards freight ones. The line is managed by: - SNCF Réseau S.A., public company of the French railway network. The passenger service is operated by: - SNCF Voyageurs S.A., divided into: a) TER Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, better known as TER Mobigo b) TER Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, better known as TER AURA - Voyages SNCF S.A. (TGV InOui and OuiGO Classique) The freight service is operated by: - FRET SNCF S.A., public company for French domestic freight transport. - Akiem S.A., private freight transport company. - DB Cargo France S.A. (former Euro Cargo Rail/EWS), DB Cargo's French division. And some other private operators. ROUTE AND STATIONS The route has a total of 16 active stations/stops, as well as an additional 3 abandoned/demolished ones. Including the two terminals of Dijon-Ville and Mâcon-Ville. The calls are, as follows: - Dijon-Ville, North-East Terminal of the route. Equipped with two separate commuter depot areas at both ends, as well as some sidings for convoys storage. Km314* Longvic-Perrigny-Gevrey Junctions, with direct connections to several local and national lines. There's also a direct connection to the LGV Rhin-Rhône. a) Perrigny General Depot, including the famous roundabout and the Technicentre SNCF Bourgogne-Franche-Comté (maintenance facility). There's also a freight yard, serving the lines east of Dijon. b) Gevrey Freight Complex, located parallel to the main line. It consists of two external triage yards, between which a large freight yard is located. There's a shunting engine depot and an intermodal terminal. Reachable via dedicated links. - Gevrey-Chambertin, km325* - Vougeot – Gilly-lès-Cîteaux, km331* - Nuits-Saint-Georges, km337* - Corgoloin, km343* - Beaune, equipped with a small yard for freight and service convoys. Km351* - Meursault, km358* Chagny-Corpeau Junction Freight Sidings. - Chagny, station divided into two distinct areas: one on our main line, the other on the Chagny-Nevers Junction. A small yard for service convoys is also present. Km366* - Rully, km369* - Fontaines-Mercurey, km373* Former Chalon-sur-Saône Depot + sidings. now converted into a commercial area. - Chalon-sur-Saône, intermediate station of the route. Equipped with 3 sidings areas: 2 for commuter trains, 1 for shunting engines. Km382* c) Chalon-sur-Saône Freight Yard. With direct connection to an industrial freight branch (2km-1.2mi) [Dombes Branch]. - Sennecey-le-Grand, km398* Butane gas interchange depot. Equipped with dedicated sidings and direct connection track. - Tournus, former sidings and track towards a local company. Km408* - Fleurville – Pont-de-Vaux, equipped with sidings for service convoys. Km422* - Senozan, km429* - Mâcon-Ville, South-West terminal of the route. Equipped with 3 sidings areas: 2 for commuter convoys, 1 for service ones. Km440* * Distance from route origin, Paris-Gare-de-Lyon (Km0). ROUTE PLAN General view of the route. In the left box above, the detail on the Dijon area. GOOGLE Maps Credit. Note, in green, all the currently operational line connections. All metre-gauge lines have disappeared and/or been demolished. PASSENGER SERVICE There are different types of passenger service on this route: - TER Mobigo Paris-Bercy – Dijon – Lyon, direct regional service: a) Lyon Part-Dieu/Perrache --> Dijon-Ville (whole line) b) Dijon-Ville --> Paris-Bercy (AI Only, Dijon Ville) c) Lyon Part-Dieu/Perrache --> Paris-Bercy (whole line) - TER Mobigo/AURA Lyon – Mâcon – Dijon, local regional service: a) Mâcon-Ville --> Dijon-Ville (whole line) [TER Mobigo] b) Chalon-sur-Saône --> Dijon-Ville (Chalon-sur-Saône – Dijon-Ville) [TER Mobigo] c) Chalon-sur-Saône --> Mâcon-Ville (Chalon-sur-Saône – Mâcon-Ville) [Both Réseaux] d) Lyon Part-Dieu --> Mâcon-Ville (AI Only, Mâcon-Ville) [Both Réseaux] - TER AURA Lyon – Mâcon – Dijon, direct/local regional service: a) Dijon-Ville --> Lyon Part-Dieu/Perrache (whole line) [direct] b) Mâcon-Ville --> Lyon-Perrache (AI Only, Mâcon-Ville) [local] c) Mâcon-Ville --> Lyon Part-Dieu (AI-Only, Mâcon-Ville) [direct] - TER Mobigo Nevers – Autun – Dijon, direct regional service: a) Nevers --> Dijon-Ville (AI ONLY Chagny-Corpeau Junction --> Beaune, driveable Beaune – Dijon-Ville) b) Le Creusot-Ville --> Dijon-Ville (same as above) c) Étang-sur-Arroux --> Dijon-Ville (same as above) - TER Mobigo Montchanin – Chalon-sur-Saône, direct/local regional service: a) Montchanin --> Chalon-sur-Saône (Chagny – Chalon-sur-Saône) [local] b) Montchanin --> Chagny (AI Only, Chagny) [local] c) Chagny --> Dijon-Ville (Chagny – Dijon-Ville) [direct] - SNCF TGV InOui, mainline/cross-sectoral services: a) Lyon Part-Dieu --> Strasbourg (whole line, then AI Only through LGV Rhin-Rhône Junction) b) Lyon Part-Dieu --> Mulhouse (same as above) c) Montpellier Saint-Roch --> Luxembourg (same as above) d) Montpellier Saint-Roch/Marseille Saint-Charles --> Metz/Nancy (same as above) e) Marseille Saint-Charles --> Frankfurt A.M. (same as above) Stops only at: Mâcon Ville, Chalon-sur-Saône and Dijon-Ville. - SNCF OuiGO Classique, mainline service: a) Paris-Bercy --> Lyon-Perrache (whole line) Stops only at: Dijon-Ville, Chalon-sur-Saône and Mâcon Ville. - SNCF TGV Lyria (FR-CH) services: a) Paris-Gare-de-Lyon-->Lausanne b) Paris-Gare-de-Lyon-->Bâle-->Zurich AI ONLY at Dijon-Ville, then -->Perrigny Junction. - All TER layers to/from Dijon-Ville (TER Mobigo). FREIGHT SERVICE The freight service on this route is complex and articulated, with 3 yards available: - Chalon-sur-Saône: dedicated to freight from/to Seurre-Chalon-sur-Saône and Mâcon-Ambérieu Lines. It's Also a collection point for freight from the Dombes Branch. - Perrigny: Dedicated to freight from/to East, including Mulhouse (from Germany) and Switzerland (Bosse). - Gevrey: Main freight yard of Burgundy, dedicated to all international and domestic traffic on this line. Here are some examples of freight service: - Mixed, Gevrey Yard-->Sibelin - Mixed, Portes-->Culmont-Chalindrey - Mixed, Woippy-->Sibelin - Intermodal, Vénissieux-->Le Havre - Hoppers, Port-St-Louis-du-Rhône-->Perrigny Yard - Tanks, Gevrey Yard-->Sibelin - Logs, Nuits-sous-Ravières-->Tarascon - Tanks, Gevrey Yard-->Miramas - Intermodal, Vènissieux-->Valenton - Tanks, St-Clair-les-Roches-->Valenton There's also a freight collection service at the Sennecey-le-Grand Butane gas plant, with reference yard: Chalon-sur-Saône. ROLLING STOCK The following rolling stock can be seen on this route: PASSENGER - BB 7200R "Nez Cassés" Electric locomotive, for TER Mobigo regional services. Push/pull version of the famous French locomotive series, used for regional mainline services. Here in "En Voyage Bourgogne" and "TER Bourgogne" liveries. - BB 22200 "Nez Cassés" Electric locomotive, for TER AURA regional services. Bi-voltage version of the 7200, used for regional mainline services. Here in "En Voyage" and "Fantôme" liveries. The following coaches are used with the previous locomotives: - Corail VU A10u/B11u+B5uxh and VTU A10tu/B11tu+B5uxh Regional coaches, for TER Mobigo and TER AURA regional services. The classic Corail regional coaches, widely used in France (at least, until 2/3 years ago). The "VU" version is the actual regional carriage, while the "VTU" is a later adaptation of old Intercity stock. Both Réseaux have both types of carriages. The cab-car is a rebuilt type, dating back to the early 00s. Here in "TER Bourgogne" and "TER Auvergne Rhône-Alpes" liveries. Please put your LIKE here first, thank you! Continue Below...
- Z 54500L Régiolis EMU, for TER Mobigo direct regional services 6-car variant of the modern French EMU. It's used (almost always in 6+6 formation) on the main Paris-Dijon-Lyon connection, replacing the old 7200+Corail. Here present in "TER Mobigo BFC" livery. - AGC B 81500 (BGC) and Z 27500 (ZGC) Bi-mode MU and EMU, for TER Mobigo and TER AURA regional services. Some of the major representatives of the AGC Bombardier family. Used for high(stops)density local services (both) or on unelectrified regional routes (81500). 81500 is available in 3 and 4-car veriants, while the 27500 only in the 3-car one. Here present in "TER Bourgogne" (both), "TER Franche-Comté" (27500) and "TER AURA" (81500) liveries. - X 73500 A-TER Diesel-hydraulic railcar, for TER Mobigo regional services. Small and strange railcar, widely used on secondary lines or as reinforcement on busier ones. Widely used in Burgundy, here on some services from Nevers and Vallorbe (CH). Here in "TER Bourgogne" and "TER Franche-Comté" liveries. The application of the new "TER Mobigo BFC" livery is currently underway. - TGV 2N2 Avelia Euroduplex and TGV Réseau Electric high-speed trains, for SNCF TGV InOui and Lyria services. The first, the backbone of the French TGV fleet. Widely used across the country and for international relations. The second, the good old single-decker TGV. Obviously, the most advanced version! Here used for both main and cross-sectoral relations. Here present in "TGV InOui" livery. The "Lyria" version of the 2N2 is also present, for Swiss connections. - BB 22200 "Nez Cassés" Electric Locomotive + Corail VTU B10/B11tu Intercity coaches, for SNCF OuiGO Classique services. Oh, a French Flixtrain? Well, that's exactly it! These are "economic" Intercity trains, made up of the good old 22200s in combo with 2nd class only VTU carriages. Here used for the ordinary Paris-Lyon connection. Both rolling stocks wear the eye-catching "OuiGO Classique" livery. Other units used on this route: - Z 55500 Regio 2N EMU, for TER AURA suburban services (in "TER AURA" livery). - Z 24500 TER 2N NG EMU, for TER AURA regional services (in "TER AURA" livery). Both AI Only at Mâcon-Ville. - Z 51500M Régiolis EMU, for TER Mobigo regional services (in "TER Mobigo BFC" livery). - B 85000 Coradia Liner bi-mode MU, for SNCF Intercités services (in "Carmillon" livery). Both AI Only at Dijon-Ville. Continue Below...
FREIGHT - BB 27000/27000M Prima Electric locomotive, for FRET SNCF and Akiem services. Reliable freight locomotive, widely used across France by FRET and other private companies (such as Akiem). Here present in both "Base" and "M" versions. The latter has different pantographs, suitable for running on "Midi" OHLE. Here present in "FRET" and "Grise-Akiem" liveries. - E (BR) 186 TRAXX Electric polytension locomotive, for DB Cargo France services. Belonging to Bombardier's F140 TRAXX subclass, it's widely used in many European countries. The French version can travel to Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Switzerland and Germany. It's used for long and heavy international freight convoys. Here present in "DB Schenker France" and "ECR-Euro Cargo Rail" liveries. SHUNTING/DELIVERY-COLLECTION - BB 60000 and BB 69400 "Mouettes" Diesel-electric heavy shunting locomotives, for FRET SNCF services. Reliable and powerful shunting locomotives. Widely used across the yards of France. The first is of more recent construction (Vossloh/Alstom), better suited to shunting activity. The second comes from the old 66400 group conversion, completely modernized. It's suitable for both roles (shunting and collecting), thanks to its higher maximum speed. Here present in their respective "FRET" liveries. Other units used on this route: - BB 26000 "Sybic" Electric locomotive, for FRET SNCF services (in "Béton", "Fantôme" and "FRET" liveries). - BB 22200 "Nez Cassés" Electric locomotive, for FRET SNCF services (in "Beton" and "Fantôme" liveries). - G 1000 BB Diesel-hydraulic shunting locomotive, for DB Cargo France (ECR) services (in "ECR-Euro Cargo Rail" livery). STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES STRONG POINTS - The route is long but quite linear. - Huge number of services during day. - Good number of stops. - Good mix between stop patterns, with many service intersections. - Excellent mix of TER, TGV and OuiGo Classique services. - Presence of freight traffic (lot of). - Presence of many shunting and delivery/collection activities, in the 3 yards and others terminals present. - Good balance between passenger, freight and shunting/deliveries services. - Good scenery variety: cities, small towns and countryside/hills. - Stunning and immersive landscape, full of details (manors and châteaux, for example). - Presence of a terminal dedicated to Butane gas and an entire freight branch with companies served. - Most of the rolling stock could be used on other future/past French routes (AGC on Marseille-Avignon comes to mind). - E 186 would also be easily reusable in other European routes, such as German ones. WEAK POINTS - The route is quite linear. - 3 stations are abandoned. - Some small stops are underserved during day, making them a bit useless. - Many lines connected to this route are closed/demolished. - The density of buildings in the Dijon area could lead to some performance issues. STATIONS Dijon-Ville main station, North-East terminal of the route and main railway hub of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté. Beaune station, main stop in the suburban area of Dijon/Côte-d'Or. Continue Below...
Chagny station, major crossroads towards Never (diesel line). It also marks the border between Côte-d'Or and Saône-et-Loire. Chalon-sur-Saône station, intermediate stop on the route. Terminus of some TER services in the region. Mâcon-Ville station, South-West terminal of the route. It's also an important stop near the LGV Sud-Est Junction of Loché. The other station buildings following the general style of Chagny. ROUTE VIDEOS OuiGo Classique Service Lyon-Perrache-->Paris-Bercy. Here Lyon-Perrache--->Dijon Ville. BB 22200+Corail VTU. PS. Turn up the volume and enjoy the sound of this monster! FRET SNCF Intermodal freight service Dourges--->Perpignan. Here Dijon-Perrigny (yard)-->Lyon-Perrache. BB 27000 Prima FRET. Please, only consider the Mâcon-Ville-->Dijon-Ville section. IMAGES Left: Dijon, with the three characteristic churches, dominating the skyline. Right: General view of the countryside around Beaune. Left: Château of St-Jean-le-Priche, directly close to the route (between Mâcon and Senozan). Excellent example of a historic structure visible from the railway. Right: Mâcon, seen from the Saône. CONCLUSIONS If you love open countryside landscapes, but can't get far from the city, this is the route for you! Embark on a long journey, from the City of Dijon, all the way to Mâcon. Crossing the villages and towns that line the Saône in this wide valley. Drive the TER services of the two regions, serving stations with different stop patterns. Try your hand at managing the powerful TGV units, stopping only at the main stations. In addition, you can indulge in a large amount of freight services: from the mainline to the small dispatch between yards. Up to recovering and composing convoys to/from a freight branch and a dedicated terminal. This is my Paris-Lyon-Marseille Main Line: Dijon-Ville to Mâcon-Ville! Caravatt. PS. Integrations and corrections are always welcome! Don't hesitate! Since I live a few thousand km from this route, there may be some small errors!
(Apogies for the comment being posted too early previously) I'd love more French content as ever since LGV Méditerranée, I've been craving for more Scenic French countryside!
Yes, I think it's time for a French line outside LGVs. This is an excellent proposal, as the route is located right between two LGVs (Sud-Est and Rhin-Rhône), acting as a link between them. There are also some Lyria services to/from Switzerland (Dijon only). Again, this is a good route! PS. Thank you for removing your post above!
Thanks! As I said before, this route would be perfect to start! Actually, the whole route is under KVB. If you want to switch between the two systems, you should add 4km of tracks, down to Mâcon-Loché TGV! Just south of Mâcon-Ville.
Bring It On instead of the BB27000 why not make it BB37000 that way we can actually operate them into Germany think of the Hauptstrecke Forbach Saarbrücken Kaiserslautern Mannheim Hbf route. Additionally the 2n2 is 15kv 16.7hz AC capable PZB make sure it has this station said on the display screen Gare Centrale Francfort sur le Main which is the French translation of Frankfurt am Main Hauptbahnhof.
As for the 37000/37500, well, they're not so common on this route. They're mainly used for intermodal or international convoys. You can see some of them on the Bresse Line (Bourg-en-Bresse - Dijon)! It wouldn't be difficult to create one from the 27000. The differences are: power, drive engines (37500) and with 3 pantographs instead of 2. Are you talking about my proposal?
No, it just didn‘t exactly understand driverwoods‘ post, but no offense (But as for your proposal, it looks great! Day one purchase for me )
