Route ( Sncf ) Ligne Bordeaux - Périgueux / New French "diesel" Route

Bonjour à tous! Good afternoon everyone! Today I want to take you back to France, suggesting something unusual... A route without overhead wires? Yes, today I'll introduce the Bordeaux-Périgueux "Line" (via Coutras), based on two axes: the Paris-Bordeaux Main Line (PO) southern stretch plus part of the Coutras-Tulle Line. We're in the "Sud-Ouest" of France, the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region; crossing two departments: Gironde and Dordogne. Our trip begins in Bordeaux and its iconic station; following Gironde's course, crossing city's port area and rounding the Dordogne conflux. From here, it continues alongside the great river to Libourne, entering the so-called "Libournais" (wine region), up to Coutras. There, it branches off mainline... And ohle magically disappears . So, it heads east, following Isle River course and its wide Valley. A fast crossing through the so-called "Périgord Blanc" and its verdant fields, straight to our final destination: Périgueux! From the big city to more rural areas, coasting large rivers, passing endless vineyards, rolling farmland and groves; dotted in small local villages and many iconic structures. This is what awaits you in this magic corner of France!

GENERAL FEATURES

- 130km(81mi) full lenght (93km/58mi cutting it at Mussidan).
- Double track (directly involved), standard gauge (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in), electrified 1.5kV DC OHLE/unelectrified.

- 3‰(1:35) max gradient.
- 160kph(100mph) average, 220kph(137mph) peak (mainline).

- BAL/BAPR as signaling systems.
- KVB as safety system.
- GSM-R as regards comm.

Lines managed by:
- SNCF Réseau SA (SNCF Group).
Passenger service operated by:
- SNCF Voyageurs SA (SNCF Group).
brands:
- TER Nouvelle-Aquitaine
- TGV inOui
- TET (Intercités de Nuit).

STATIONS

This route features 20 active stations/stops, plus several closed/deactivated.

The calls are, as follows:

----Paris-Bordeaux--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- Bordeaux-Saint-Jean
- Cenon
- Bassens Ville
- La Gorp
- Saint-Loubès
- Saint-Sulpice - Izon
- Vayres
- Libourne
- Saint-Denis-de-Pile
- Coutras
----Coutras-Tulle-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- Saint-Médard-de-Guizières
- Saint-Seurin-sur-l'Isle
- Montpon-Ménestérol
- Mussidan
- Neuvic (Dordogne)
- Saint-Léon-sur-l'Isle
- Saint-Astier
- Razac
- Marsac (Dordogne)
- Périgueux

ROUTE PLAN


Up: General view of the route. All stops are indicated.
Mid: Bordeaux area focus.
Low: Périgueux area focus.

Network Plan: https://mmt.vsct.fr/sites/default/files/swt/CNAQ/2025-12/RNA-CarteReseau-A3-231225HD.pdf

PASSENGER SERVICE

TER (Regional Express)

- Ligne 13: Bordeaux-Angoulême (20min)
a) Saint-Jean<->Coutras, 11Tpd (6+5) [stopper].

- Ligne 31: Bordeaux-Pèrigueux-Limoges (80/90min)
a) Saint-Jean<->Périgueux, 2Tph/1Tp2h each direction [stopper].
b) Saint-Jean<->Périgueux, 1Tph/1Tp2h each direction [stopper/semi-fast].

- Ligne 32: Bordeaux-Brive-Ussel (90/28min)
a) Saint-Jean<->Périgueux, 6Tpd (3+3) [stopper].
b) Mussidan<->Périgueux, 2Tph/1Tp2h each direction [local shuttle].

- Ligne 33: Bordeaux-Bergerac-Sarlat (15min)
a) Saint-Jean<->Libourne, 2Tph/1Tp2h each direction [stopper/semi-fast].

- Ligne 41.1U: Bordeaux-Libourne-Coutras (27min)
a) Saint-Jean<->Coutras, 1/2Tph each direction [suburban].

TGV (Mainline)

- inOui Paris-Bordeaux (22min)
a) Saint-Jean<->Libourne, 5Tpd (3+2), plus AI traffic [direct].

TET (Intercity Night)

- Intercités de Nuit: Paris-Tarbes
Passing through (AI Only), 2Tpd (1+1) [direct].


FREIGHT SERVICE

Three different areas involved: City Port (local transfer to/from Hourcade Marshalling); electrified mainline (passing through/to Hourcade); our diesel line (some cross trips).

Sectors Involved:
- Aggregates/materials (Thiviers quarries/others).
- Metals/rail elements (Chamiers site mainly).
- Intermodal (mainline).
- Cereals/Fertilizers (mainline/docks).
- Petroleum/fuels (docks).

ROLLING STOCK

TER

- B 81500 BGC (AGC) BMU & Z 56300 Regio 2N (PHD) EMU [mandatory/base stock].

Regional & suburban.

- X 72500 X TER DHMU & X 73500 A TER Diesel-hydraulic railcar [possible DLCs?].

Regional boost.

+ TGV Duplex 200 (driveable).

LAMPOIL

This route would pass through the DTG process, the only flaws: passenger service volume (similar to Czech route) & length (can be cut at 2/3). Still perfectly enjoyable thought!

STATIONS PICS


Up/down left: Bordeaux Saint Jean, the real gem here.
Down right: Cenon.


A) Libourne.
B) Coutras.
C) Saint-Seurin-sur-l'Isle.
D) Montpon-Ménestérol.

Please put your LIKE here first, thank you!

Continue Below...

 

Page 2


Up left: Mussidan.
Up right: Saint-Astier.
Down: Périgueux, easternmost point.

ROUTE VIDEOS


Bordeaux-Périgueux cabride, B 81500 TER trip.


Périgueux-Bordeaux cabride, X 73500 ECS trip.


La Gorp trainspotting.


Saint-Sulpice/Saint-Loubès trainspotting.

ROUTE PICS


A) Bordeaux view.
B) Nouvelle-Aquitaine Maintenance Depot(TER/Mainline).
C) Pont d'Aquitaine(1967).
D) Grand Port Maritime(freight terminals/docks).


A) Château de Vayres & Dordogne River.
B) Arveyres "Cent-Arches" Viaduct(1850).
C) Libourne view(Dordogne-Isle conflux).
D) The "Libournais" & Gironde's vineyards.


A) Our tracks crossing the "Périgord Blanc".
B) Châteaux d'eau(water towers) classic rural landmarks.
C) Château de Mauriac & Isle River.
D) Water locks, other locals features.


A) Saint-Astier Works & mines.
B) Chamiers Network Works.
C) Charente-Périgord Maintenance Plant(main workshops).
D) Périgueux view.

+ Others manors, bridges/viaducts etc.

CONCLUSIONS

Bringing this route to TSW would achieve two goals: France's return (after such a long time) and, at the same time, would offer a unique alternative to classic LGVs: a mixed-power (diesel & electric) experience! Hope we've move something, as this country results the fifth most requested!

Caravatt .

 

Great to see a French suggestion with such a detailed breakdown! The mix of 1500V DC and Diesel sections is exactly what TSW needs for more variety in gameplay. Seeing the AGC (B 81500) and its dual-mode capability would be a massive addition to the game. Bordeaux Saint-Jean is also such an iconic starting point. Total support for this!

 

100% agree with you here A very balanced route indeed! With over 30km DC and a full, long diesel stretch. But the real thing here is service layering: short local shuttles, long regional stoppers and semi-fast!
It's a shame that TER Aquitaine basically uses BGCs diesel or DC independently... Usually changing their supply mode at depot, if they're going to be deployed elsewhere!
Thanks for your support anyway .

 

That's a very interesting detail about the BGCs in Aquitaine! Even if they don't switch modes often in real life, having that 'Dual-mode' capability in TSW would still be a blast for players. The service layering you described (shuttles vs long distance) sounds like the perfect recipe for a busy and non-boring route. Fingers crossed for more French content like this!

 

As someone who's holidayed in the Dordogne a lot (albeit nearer Bergerac than here), a definite oui from me.