Good afternoon everyone. As my final proposal this year, today I'd like to return my attention to France! I'll focus on the iconic, emblematic Paris-Austerlitz - Bordeaux-St-Jean Line, also known as the "PO Main Line"! In particular, its Les Aubrais - Saint-Pierre-des-Corps section. Also including the Orléans & Tours external termini. We're in the "Grand Ouest" of France, the Centre-Val de Loire region; between the Loiret, Loir-et-Cher & Indre-et-Loire departments. Inside the so-called Loire Valley. Our itinerary begins in the iconic city of Orléans, heading southwest along the River's north bank. Following the broad floodplain, it reaches Blois, our route midpoint. A "chicane" breaks the path; then it points straight towards Tours: our final destination. Another historic city of the valley. A fast, straight-ish route, characterized by a classic central French landscape, from wooded edge of the "Sologne" to the heart of "Touraine": small reliefs, farmland fields, groves, the great river path, many ancient towns/bridges that line/cross it... And, of course, those imposing castles & manors that make this incredible slice of France magical! Think you're ready? Will leave you breathless! This is the Ligne Paris-Bordeaux: Les Aubrais to Saint-Pierre-des-Corps! GENERAL FEATURES - 117 km(73mi) mainline length (Les Aubrais-Tours). - Double track served (mainline), standard gauge (1435 mm/4 ft 8+1⁄2 in), electrified 1.5kV DC OHLE. Except common areas (4 tracks). Max gradient: 4%(1:25)(Chouzy-Blois). Max speed: 200km/h(125mph), with some drops. - BAL (automatic luminous Block), as signaling system. - KVB (Speed control by beacons), as safety system. - VB/IPCS (reversible/permanent counter-flow track) equipped. - GSM-R as regards comm. Line managed by: - SNCF Réseau SA (SNCF Group). Passenger service operated by: - SNCF Voyageurs SA (SNCF Group); branches involved: - TER Centre-Val de Loire (TER Rémi). - TER Pays de la Loire (TER Aléop). - Oslo (OUIGO Train Classique). - TET (Intercités de Nuit). Freight service operated by: - Hexafret SAS (RLE-SNCF Group, former FRET). - DB Cargo France SAS (DB Group, former ECR). - Millet Rail SAS (private rental). STATIONS This route features a total of 22 active stations/stops, including Orléans & Tours outer terminals. The calls are, as follows: - Les Aubrais (Fleury-les-Aubrais) main station (mainline), PK119* ----Les Aubrais-Orléans rail link---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Orléans terminal (external), PK121* ----mainline------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ - La Chapelle-St-Mesmin stop, PK128* - Chaingy-Fourneaux-Plage stop, PK132* - Saint-Ay stop, PK135* - Meung-sur-Loire station, PK141* - Baule stop, PK143* - Beaugency station, PK148* - Mer station, PK160* - Suèvres stop, PK165* - Menars stop, PK170* - La Chaussée-St-Victor stop, PK176* - Blois - Chambord main station (midpoint), PK180* - Chouzy stop, PK189* - Onzain - Chaumont-sur-Loire station, PK195* - Veuves - Monteaux stop, PK200* - Limeray stop, PK206* - Amboise station, PK212* - Noizay stop, PK219* - Montlouis-sur-Loire stop, PK226* - Saint-Pierre-des-Corps main station (mainline), PK233* ----S-P-d-C - Tours rail link---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Tours terminal (external), PK236* * Distance from route origin, Paris-Austerlitz (PK0). ROUTE PLAN General view of the route(up), Tours(middle) & Orléans(down) areas detail. All stations/stops/areas of interest are indicated! PASSENGER SERVICE TER (Regional Express) a) TER Rémi Express: Paris->Les Aubrais-Tours (62min) - Les Aubrais<->Tours, 8Tpd (5+3) weekdays [semi-direct]. b) TER Rémi: Tours-Blois-Orléans (50/80min) - Tours<->Orléans, 2Tph each direction [semi-fast]. - Orlèans<->Blois, 1Tph/2h each direction [local stopper]. c) TER Rémi/TER Aléop Interloire: Orléans-Tours->Nantes/Le Croisic (120min) - Orléans<->Tours, 8Tpd (5+3) weekdays [stopper]. Some Tours<->St-Pierre-des-Corps shuttles. OUIGO (Classic Train) - Branche Sud: Paris->Les Aubrais-St-Pierre-des-Corps->Nantes (65min) Les Aubrais<->S-P-d-C, 4Tpd (2+2) morning/afternoon [mainline]. TET (Intercity Night) - Intercités de Nuit: Paris->Les Aubrais->Tarbes (55min) Les Aubrais<->S-P-d-C(red aspect), 2Tpd (1+1) [mainline]. FREIGHT SERVICE This route features a good long/medium-range freight traffic, connecting the "Région parisienne" to the Atlantic coast (Bordeaux/Basque Country) or the Southwest (Toulouse/Spain). As an integral part of the RFC 4 (Atlantic Corridor). Some local collection services are also present, between freight yards and local companies at: La Brosse, Villejoint, Le Bois Mesle, Mer, Beaugency, Les Hauts Chemins. Sectors involved: cereals, intermodal, fertilizers, steel, automotive & aggregates. ROLLING STOCK TER - Z 21500 Z TER & Z 27500 ZGC (AGC) EMUs, TER Rémi services. Stopper/semi-fast aimed. Recommended: Z 21500. - Z 56700/Z 56500 Regio 2N (PHD) EMUs, TER Rémi/TER Aléop services. Semi-fast/semi-direct aimed. Recommended: Z 56700. OUIGO - BB 22200 Nez Cassé Bi-voltage loco + Corail VTU B10tu/11tu IC coaches, OUIGO Classique services. Mainline aimed. Future cross-layering DLC? FRET - BB 27000 Prima Bi-voltage loco, E 186 Traxx 2 AC/DC loco, BB 75000 Prima Diesel-electric loco & BB 61000 G 1206 Diesel-hydraulic heavy shunter. Freight/shunting aimed. + TGV Duplex 200, driveable (mini services). + Class 66, static layer (adaptable to France?). Please put your LIKE here first, thank you! Continue Below...
Page 2 LAMPOIL This route would pass through the DTG process, the only flaw: passenger service volume a bit low, compared to other mainlines. Still perfectly enjoyable thought! STATIONS PICS Left: Orléans terminal, city's regional hub. Right: Les Aubrais main station, city's mainline hub. Top left: Mer station. Bottom left: Beaugency station. Top right: Meung-Sur-loire station. Bottom right: Chaingy-Fourneaux-Plage stop. Top left: Amboise station. Bottom left: Onzain - Chaumont-sur-Loire station. Right: Blois - Chambord main station, route midpoint. Left: Tours terminal, city's historic hub. Right: Saint-Pierre-des-Corps main station, city's mainline hub. ROUTE VIDEOS TER Rémi Paris-Austerlitz->Tours cabride. Consider 57:18 to end! TER Rémi Tours->Paris-Austerlitz cabride. Consider up to 1:09:15! Les Aubrais trainspotting. Blois – Chambord trainspotting. Tours/Saint-Pierre-des-Corps trainspotting. ROUTE PICS Orléans, administrative center of the region. Strongly linked to the Joan of Arc figure! Continue Below...
Page 3 Tours, largest city of the region, rich in history & monuments/ancient areas. A) Saint-Pierre-des-Corps Maintenance Plant (main workshops). B) S-P-d-C Maintenance Depot (TER/locos). C) S-P-d-C Freight/service Complex (downgraded). D) Montlouis Rail Viaduct (382m), over the Loire River. A/B) Amboise, ancient royal town. Leonardo da Vinci lived and died here! C) Chaumont-sur-Loire Castle, other bank of the river. D) La Vicomté Castle (Blois), right next to the tracks. A/B) Blois, historical city along the Loire River flow & its royal castle. Route midpoint. C) Saint-Laurent-des-Eaux Nuclear Power Plant (active). D) Beaugency, another historic town along the Loire River. A) Beaugency Rail Viaduct (275m), across namesake town. B) Meung-sur-Loire & its Castle. C) Orléans Maintenance Depot (TER). D) Les Aubrais Yards (mostly deactivated). Most scenic stretch of the route: entering Blois from southwest! FINAL THOUGHTS Bring this route to TSW would be really interesting, both about its incredible history (first real French mainline in the XIX century) and places it crosses (the Loire Valley, one of the most famous places in the world). Its strengths are in line with main TSW players trend: speed, linearity & variety. Hope DTG realizes that other countries exist, outside the "great three"! This is meant as advice, rather than criticism! Wish you all Merry Christmas and Happy New Year in advance! Caravatt .
Voted France in the player survey, and it's a part of France I've been through before (and by train once from Paris to Bordeaux), so it's a oui from me.
Oui, aussi to a Loire Valley route. I'm planning on visiting the Loire Valley next year, and it would be nice to see Orléans, Tours and Amboise in game.
Here too. Seems to be heavily requested! Visited the area this summer (coincidences). Also visited Saumur and surroundings about 10 years ago. You'll be pleasantly surprised !
