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.
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Thank God not only that. In fact, it's a shadow of its former self (we, too, had a Beeching... but without Beeching)
