Good afternoon everyone. As my last proposal for this year (I'm leaving for vacation next week!), today I'd like to introduce you to the Bordeaux-Sète Line. Specifically, the iconic section between Toulouse and Narbonne. We are in South-West France, in the Occitanie Region. Between the Aude and Haute-Garonne Departments. One step away from the Pyrenees. The warm southern sea borders the beautiful city of Narbonne. From here, the route climbs the wide Aude River valley, until it reaches the iconic city of Carcassonne: a true jewel of the French Middle Ages! From here the railway continues torwards Castelnaudary, another iconic town in this area (located on the "Canal du Midi"). And finally up to Toulouse, main city of the Occitanie Region. Along the route an endless row of cultivated fields and small hills mark this route, surrounded by imposing green mountains. All this along the A61 Highway, almost the entire way. A stunning landscape that will leave you breathless! This is the Bordeaux-Sète Railway: Toulouse to Narbonne! GENERAL FEATURES The section in question is 144km (89mi) long. The line is served by double track, standard gauge (1435 mm/4 ft 8+1⁄2 in), electrified 1,5kV DC OHLE. 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, as regards communications/signaler (literally French GSM-R). The maximum gradient of this route reaches 4,3%(43x1000), in two distinct sections: from Lézignan-Corbières to Carcassonne and from Carcassonne to Bram. The maximum permitted speed reaches 155-160km/h(96-100mph). 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 Occitanie, better known as LIO TER Occitanie. b) TET (Intercités). - Voyages SNCF S.A. (TGV InOui). The freight service is operated by: - Fret SNCF S.A., public company for French domestic freight transport. - 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 15 active stations/stops, as well as a further 15 decommissioned one and/or without passenger traffic. Including the two terminals of Toulouse-Matabiau and Narbonne. The calls are, as follows: General depot of Toulouse, called "Technicentre Occitanie SNCF". Located in the Bonnefoy district of Toulouse. About 2km (1.6mi) north of Toulouse-Matabiau. - Toulouse-Matabiau, North-West terminal of the route. Equipped with a small depot for shunting/service diesel engines and two small sidings for temporary convoy storage (especially those of secondary lines). Km256* Junction with the Toulouse-Bayonne Railway. - Montaudran, Km261* - Labège-Innopole, Km265* - Labège-Village, Km268* - Escalquens, Km270* - Montlaur, Km275* - Baziège, Km279* - Villenouvelle, Km283* - Villefranche-de-Lauragais, Km289* - Avignonet, Km297* Haute-Garonne/Aude border. - Castelnaudary, equipped with freight yard, associated with an agri-food company served by dedicated track (cereals). Km311* Junction with the Castelnaudary-Rodez Railway, currently not in use. - Bram, equipped with a shunting track, leading to an agri-food company with a dedicated track (cereals). Km327* Junction with the Bram-Belvèze Railway, now demolished. Junction with the Carcassonne-Quillan Branch, now operational only up to Limoux. - Carcassonne, equipped with sidings for regional diesel trains storage and freight convoys. It's also equipped with a terminal track, now used as a depot. Km347* Junction with the Moux-Caunes-Minervois Railway, now demolished. - Lézignan-Corbières, equipped with waiting tracks for freight trains and a former yard, now partially demolished. Km384* Triange Junction with the Narbonne-Portbou Railway. - Narbonne, South-East Terminal of the route. Equipped with a large freight yard and sidings for temporary train storage. It's also possible to reach from here (via Triangle Junction): a rolling stock maintenance company, a rolling stock depot and a shipping company. All equipped with dedicated track. Km406* There are also two old yards: One at Trèbes and at Moux. Both demolished now. Also in Trèbes there's a seed company, once equipped with a dedicated track. But now it has been removed. * Distance from route origin, Bordeaux-St-Jean (Km0). ROUTE PLAN GOOGLE Maps Credit. PASSENGER SERVICE There are different types of passenger service on this route: - LIO TER Narbonne-Carcassonne-Toulouse (1h 50min) SNCF regional service, covering the following stops: Narbonne, Lézignan-Corbières, Carcassonne, Bram, Castelnaudary, Avignonet, Villefranche-de-Lauragais, Villenouvelle, Baziège, Montlaur, Escalquens, Labège-village, Labège-Innopole, Montaudran, Toulouse-Matabiau. Stop all stations. One train every 20-60 minutes in each direction. Timetable: https://ter-fiches-horaires.sncf.fr/publish/WEB FH10 NARBONNE - TOULOUSE SEMAINE & WE.pdf - LIO TER Portbou-Perpignan-Toulouse (1h 37min) SNCF regional service, covering the following stops: Narbonne, Lézignan-Corbières, Carcassonne, Bram, Castelnaudary, Villefranche-de-Lauragais, Baziège, Escalquens, Labège-Innopole, Montaudran, Toulouse-Matabiau. Stop only at certain stations. One train every 10-70 minutes in each direction. Timetable: https://ter-fiches-horaires.sncf.fr/publish/WEB FH25 PORT-BOU - TOULOUSE SEMAINE & WE.pdf - LIO TER Toulouse-Montpellier-Marseille (1h 20min) SNCF fast regional service, covering the following stops: Narbonne, Carcassonne, Castelnaudary, Toulouse-matabiau. Stop only at main stations. One train every hour in each direction. Ps. Some services only depart/arrive as far as Nîmes. Timetable: https://ter-fiches-horaires.sncf.fr/publish/WEB FH6 MARSEILLE - TOULOUSE SEMAINE & WE.pdf - SNCF INTERCITÉS Bordeaux-Montpellier-Marseille (1h 15min) SNCF Intercity service, covering the following stops: Narbonne, Carcassonne, Toulouse-Matabiau. Stop only at main stations. One train every two hours in each direction. Timetable is included in the above links. - SNCF TGV InOui Toulouse-Montpellier-Lyon (1h 15min) SNCF TGV cross-sectoral service, covering the following stops: Narbonne, Carcassonne, Toulouse-Matabiau. Stop only at main stations. 3/4 train/day in each direction. I also remember: The numerous LIO TER services to/from Toulouse, the TGV InOui/OuiGO Paris-Bordeaux-Toulouse services and the Intercités Paris-Toulouse-Cerbère service. AI ONLY at Toulouse-Matabiau. The LIO TER Carcassonne-Limoux service (diesel route). AI ONLY at Carcassonne. The LIO TER services at Narbonne, the TGV InOui/OuiGO Paris-Lyon-Perpignan-Barcelone services and Renfe AVE Madrid-Marseille/Barcelone-Lyon services. AI ONLY at Narbonne. FREIGHT SERVICE Freight services on this route are classic A-B trips between the Raynal yard (not present on this proposal) and Narbonne. Direct convoys are also present, to/from other French and foreign destinations. There's also a freight collection/delivery service, at two cereal companies along the route (diesel + hopper wagons). It's not uncommon for convoys to stop into dedicated waiting sidings along the route, or in the two yards of Castelnaudary and Carcassonne. The types of goods transported are: intermodal, cars, chemicals (liquid and gas), agricultural products (fertilizers/seeds), cereals, steel, Propane Gas, aggregates etc... Freight transport is carried out by both electric and diesel locomotives. ROLLING STOCK The following rolling stock can be seen on this route: PASSENGER - Z 27500 AGC EMU, for LIO TER Occitanie services. Here present in "LIO TER" and former "TER Languedoc-Roussillon" liveries. Type: AC/DC electric multiple unit Year: from 2005 Specimens: 211, 56 in Occitanie Power: 1300kW Power supply: 1,5kV DC and 25kV AC Max speed: 160km/h(100mph) Number of cars: 3 or 4 Seats: 148+20(3 cars)/194+26(4 cars) This is an excellent old EMU, used for regional TER services across France. - Z 54900 / 54900 M Régiolis EMU, for LIO TER Occitanie services. Here present in the two new "LIO Périurbain" and "LIO TER" liveries. Type: AC/DC electric multiple unit Year: from 2014 Specimens: 365+ (still under construction), 26 in Occitanie Power: 1700kW Power supply: 1,5kV DC and 25kV AC Max speed: 160km/h(100mph) Number of cars: 4 Seats: 180+221(standing) One of the most recent EMUs entering service in Occitanie, used for regional TER services. The "M" version is simply equipped with a different pantograph type, which allows it to travel on lines equipped with "Midi" catenary. - Z 56300 Regio 2N EMU, for LIO TER Occitanie services. Here present in the new "LIO Périurbain" livery. Type: AC/DC electric multiple unit Year: from 2014 Specimens: 466+ (still under construction), 18 in Occitanie Power: 2400kW Power supply: 1,5kV DC and 25kV AC Max speed: 160km/h(100mph) Number of cars: 6 Seats: 660/710 One of the most recent EMUs entering service in Occitanie, used for regional TER services. Please put your LIKE here first, thank you! Continue Below...
- BB 7200 Electric locomotive, for SNCF Intercités services. Belonging to the "Nez Cassés" family, here present in "Béton" (original) and "Fantôme" liveries. Type: DC electric locomotive Year: from 1976 Specimens: 205 Power: 4,1MW Power supply: 1,5 kV DC Max speed: 160-200km/h(100-125mph) It's a multipurpose locomotive, used for both Intercity and freight services. - BB 26000 Electric locomotive, for SNCF Intercités services. Belonging to the "Sybic" family, here present in "Carmillon" and " Fantôme" liveries. Type: AC/DC electric locomotive Year: from 1988 Specimens: 204+30 (transformed into BB 36000) Power: 5,6MW Power supply: 1,5kV DC and 25kV AC Max speed: 160-200km/h(100-125mph) It's a multipurpose locomotive, used for both Intercity and freight services. The following coaches are used with the previous locomotives: A) Corail VTU A10tu/B11tu "Carmillon" Intercity coaches, for SNCF Intercités services. They're the result of the latest SNCF renovation cycle. They make up the majority of Intercity coaches in service on this route. A10tu type is a 1st class coach, while B11tu is a 2nd class one. Double toilette, 58 (A10) and 88(B11) seats. In particular, the version shown above are 75-80s. Here in "Carmillon" livery. B) Corail VTU A10tu/B11tu "Intercités" Intercity coaches, for SNCF Intercités services. Slightly less upgraded than the "Carmillon", but still maintaining the same general characteristics.They will soon be withdrawn from active service. Again, the versions shown above are 75-80s. Here in "Intercités" livery. C) Corail VU B3su "Carmillon"/B7uh "Intercités" Intercity mixed coaches, for SNCF Intercités services. Equipped with a reduced 2nd class compartment, in addition to the luggage space dedicated to bicycles. Two side sliding doors make loading/unloading easier. They come from old regional coaches conversion. Again, they range from 75 to 80. Here in "Carmillon" and "Intercités" liveries. Continue Below...
- TGV 2N2 Avelia EuroDuplex High speed train, for SNCF TGV InOui services. The latest and most modern representative of the "Duplex" family. It represents the 3rd generation of double-decker TGVs. Here in TGV "InOui" livery. Type: high-speed AC/DC electric train. Year: from 2011 Specimens: 122 trainsets Power: 3,7/9,3MW(depending on the different voltages) Power supply: 1,5/3kV DC and 15/25kV AC Max speed: 320km/h(200mph) Number of cars: 8+2 Seats: 509/556 On this route, the convoys used are the InOui. Adopted individually (no TGV+TGV as on Marseille-Avignon), as these are cross-sector services on ordinary lines (max speed 160/200km/h). Other units used on this route: - BB 22200 Electric locomotive, for SNCF Intercités services (in " Béton" and "Fantôme" liveries). - B 81500 AGC Bi-modal MU, for LIO TER Occitanie services (in "LIO TER" and former "TER Midi-Pyrénées" liveries). - B 83500 M Régiolis Bi-modal MU, for LIO TER Occitanie services (in "LIO TER" and "LIO Périurbain" liveries). - X 73500 A TER Diesel-hydraulic railcar, for LIO TER Occitanie services (in former "TER Languedoc-Roussillon" and " TER Midi-Pyrénées" liveries). FREIGHT - BB 27000 / 27000 M Electric locomotive, for Fret SNCF services. Belonging to the "Prima" family, here present in "FRET" livery. Type: AC/DC electric locomotive Year: from 2001 Specimens: 179 (+1 withdrawn following accident) Power: 4,2MW Power supply: 1,5kV DC and 25kV AC Max speed: 140km/h(87mph) Reliable freight locomotive, widely used throughout France for FRET and other private companies services. The "M" version is simply equipped with a different pantograph type, which allows it to travel on lines equipped with "Midi" catenary. - BB 69200 Diesel-electric locomotive, for Fret SNCF services. Old 66000s rebuilt, here present in "FRET" livery. Type: diesel locomotive with electric traction Year: from 2004 (Originally from 1965) Specimens: 57 (both Infra and FRET), 8 on Toulouse depot Power: 745kW Power supply: 1x1040kW MTU 12V 4000 R41 turbocharged diesel engine Max speed: 120km/h(75mph) Old and reliable diesel locomotive, rebuilt from the old 66000s (1960s). Replaced the engine, overhauled the electric traction and updated the cabin + other small details. 8 units present at Toulouse: 4 FRET and 4 Infra. It's used both for switching activities and sending/collecting freight wagons to/from various companies along the route. It's often used with 2 units in multiple control. Other units used on this route: - BB 37000 Electric locomotive, for Fret SNCF services (in "FRET" livery). - BB 60000 Diesel-electric heavy switching locomotive, for Fret SNCF services (in "FRET" livery). 2 units (Toulouse and Narbonne yards). - E 186 TRAXX Electric polytension locomotive, for DB Cargo France (Euro Cargo Rail) services (in "DB Cargo" and "ECR" liveries). - Classe 66 (UK Class 66) Diesel-electric locomotive, for DB Cargo France (EWS) services (in "EWS" livery). PS. All Intercités locomotives (BB 7200 and 26000) are also regularly used (160km/h version) on freight service. FREIGHT WAGONS - Eanos (scrap and aggregates), already on TSW - Laaers (cars), already in TSW - Sggmrss (intermodal), already on TSW - Shimmns (tarpaulin version) (steel) - Tads (fertilizers, seeds and aggregates/ballast) - Tanoos (bulk chemicals) - Uagpps (different variants) (cereals) - Zacns (many variants of UIC "Z" type) (chemicals liquids) - Zags (same above) (chemicals gases/Propane) STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES STRONG POINTS - The route is long but quite linear. - Good number of services during the day. - Good number of stops. - Good mix between TER, Intercités and TGV services. - Good amount of AI in the two terminals (using this route material). - Presence of freight traffic (lot of). - Good balance between passenger, freight and shunting/deliveries services. - Presence of companies with dedicated track along the route. - Good scenery variety: city, small towns and countryside/hills. - Stunning and immersive landscape, full of details. - All the rolling stock could be used on other future French routes (AGC on Marseille-Avignon comes to mind). - Possible future extension, including the Carcassonne-Quillan branch (with related diesel material). - Class 66 could be easily converted from the model already present in game. - E 186 would also be easily reusable in other European routes, such as German ones. WEAK POINTS - The route is quite linear. - Many closed/abandoned stations. - Some railways with terminals on this route aren't in use. - Density of buildings/assets in the Toulouse area, which could cause performance issues. STATIONS Toulouse-Matabiau main station. North-West terminal of the route. Note the "grandeur" of the main building! Narbonne station. South-East terminal of the route. Continue Below...
Carcassonne station. Intermediate stop of the route (1/3). Castelnaudary station. Intermediate stop of the route (2/3). GOOGLE Maps Credit. Lézignan-Corbières station. Another important stop, between Narbonne and Carcassonne. The other buildings following the general style of Lézignan-Corbières, or are simple platforms, as near Toulouse (Labège). ROUTE VIDEOS LIO TER Portbou-Perpignan-Toulouse (Narbonne-Toulouse), with Z 54900 SNCF Intercités Bordeaux-Montpellier-Marseille (Toulouse-Narbonne), with BB 7200 Consider only the Toulouse-Narbonne section! IMAGES Below here, some pictures of the route: Left: Narbonne Right: Toulouse Left: Carcassonne Right: Castelnaudary CONCLUSIONS The warm and wonderful Occitanie awaits you! The vast countryside outside Toulouse is ready to be crossed with fast and modern EMUs: direction Narbonne! This ancient French land is ready to offer its best, with incredible landscapes and beautiful historical towns. Drive the Occitanian TER services between the two important cities, giving your all on the long and fast straights; then, tackle the tortuous stretch before Narbonne, passing right aside the incredible Middle-Ages city of Carcassonne! Don't forget the fast Intercity and TGV services, which will allow you to make the most of this line. Finally, take control of long and heavy freight trains, also taking care of deliveries to local companies! This is Bordeaux-Sète Railway: Toulouse to Narbonne! 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!
MAIN INTEGRATION From first half of 2026, the Intercités services on this route (loco+coaches), will be replaced by a brand new, dedicated EMU: the CAF Oxygène! It will be a high-speed Intercity train, which will replace much of the old SNCF rolling stock on: Paris-Toulouse, Bordeaux-Marseille (this one) and Paris-Clermont-Ferrand. The first units have already been engaged in operational tests since spring 2024. Some of the first pictures of a unit being tested. 1st class interiors. 2nd Class interiors. There will also be a space dedicated to bikes. And, of course, driver's desk. SNCF has abandoned the classic control block with "Manipulateur", in favor of the one-handle design. Completely similar to that of the future TGV-M/Amtrak Avelia Liberty. Here are some of its features: Type: electric multiple unit Year: from 2026 (under construction) Specimens: 28 convoys ordered Power: 4000kW Power supply: 1,5kV DC and 25kV AC (4 pantographs) Max speed: 200km/h(125mph) Number of cars: 10 (1M+8R+1M) Seats: 420 The Official livery and designation haven't been revealed yet. The above one should almost be definitive. Only "Carmillon" would replace light blue + logos. Overall, it's inspired by that of the current TGV Duplex InOui (Carmillon). Have a nice day and happy summer holidays everyone!
razmatus#2517 I think I know what you mean... But I'll ask you anyway: CAF Oxygène, my proposed route or both? They would make a great pair for me! driverwoods#1787 No. Actually, all RENFE services run on the coast (Portbou-Montpellier-Marseille). There are two AVE services: - Madrid-Marseille - Barcelona-Lyon All carried out with the AVE 100. It would be AI Only in Narbonne (As I wrote above!) As for the Hotel services, I don't think they will be resumed after 2020!
