France-June2014

France: 3rd June - 11th June 2014

Between the 3rd June and 11th June 2014, I traveled to the Savoie Region of France for a one week railway holiday to record rail traffic in the foothills of the Mont Blanc mountains. Having flown from Bristol International Airport to Geneva we exited via the French sector before picking up a hire car for the week. After a plesent drive through the mountainous region our first night was spent in Amberieu, before following the main line south to Chambery (via Curloz and Aix Les Bains) the next day. Chambery would then be our base for the remainder of our stay.
During the week long visit we planned a mix of car travel (for the best photographic opportunities) and visits to two cities (Lyon and Grenoble) using SNCF rail travel. There were only two half days of rain during the first and last days of the trip, other than this temperatures in the Savoie region of France were fluctuating between 28 - 34 degrees each day. Chambery is situated on the mainline to Italy, the area conveys a large amount of International freight over the scenic route into (and out of) Italy. Automotive, Steel and Grain flows are particularly common. Although the images may portray a 'busy scene' it's worth noting that there can be some lengthy waits between train services. The line is also more prevalent during the winter ski season as additional TGV services operate through to the Bourg St Maurice ski resort. Freight services can vary depending but most seem to operate during the morning and late afternoon.

Day 1: Geneva - Amberieu

Having arrived in Geneva earlier in the day we drove via the French Sector exit towards Amberieu via Bellegarde & Nantua. Having arrived a little earlier than planned we paused just north of Amberieu at Pont-d'Ain on the mainline to Bourge-en-Bresse. After checking into our hotel for the night we also spent a period of time on Amberieu Station.

SNCF B81500 Bi-mode unit's No.81726 & No.81567 pass through Ambronay with the16:25 Bourg En Bresse - Amberieu service.

This former industrial shunter is pictured stored on a short spur adjacent to a local 'D' road in Amberieu. A000079

Alstom/ Siemens BB57000 No.475071 passes light engine through Amberieu station.

Alstom driving car (DVT) arrives into Amberieu Station, with French electric BB22000 No.522395 on the opposite end.

Duel Voltage TGV No.37 passes through Amberieu Station from Geneve.

Alstom driving trailer (DVT) arrives into Amberieu with a service from Geneve, French electric class BB22200 No.507320 is out of sight on the rear of the train.

Class BB7200 No.507320 stands at Amberieu with a passenger service from Geneve.

Rhone Alps liveried Z24500 unit No.319 arrives into Amberieu Station.

No.27741 & No.27683 arrive into Amberieu with the 17:30 St Julien en Genevois – Lyon Part Dieu

No.27683 & No.27741 stand at Amberieu with the 17:30 St Julien en Genevois – Lyon Part Dieu

Bi mode units No.81726 & No.81567 arrive into Amberieu with the 18:33 Bourg En Bresse - Amberieu

Day 2: Amberieu - Chambery (via Curloz)

Day 2 started somewhat cloudy, with the weather deteriorating throughout the the day turning into rain for a short period in the afternoon. Our journey on the second day would take us from Amberieu to Chambery via Curloz and Aix les Bains heading south. The roads through the mountain regions closely follow the railway lines, so our task of finding photographic locations was made somewhat easier for the first day.

On the outskirts of Amberieu adjacent to Amberieu Yard we found another industrial shunter which had been located on the middle of a roundabout.

Euro Cargo Rail Vossloh G1206 No.FB1244 is pictured in Amberieu Yard stabled.

Bombardier Bi Mode units No.82718 & No.82274 pass through St Rampart.

Class BB22200 No.522314 meanders through the twisted sections at St Rampart with an SNCF passenger service.

SNCF Class 7200 No.407437 passes through St Rampart with a ballast train heading for Amberieu Yard.

Class BB26000 No.426211 is pictured at St Rampart at the head of a steel train winding its way through the valley towards Amberieu.

Class BB26000 No.426207 passes St Rampart the the rear of a top and tail formation heading for Amberieu.

TVG Lyria No.4414 passes St Rampart heading north towards its final destination of Paris Gare De Lyon.

Z27500 SNCF units No.27532 & No.27530pass Argis heading for Amberieu .

Euro Cargo Rail Class 186 No.186-162-4 heads a trainload of channel tunnel registered wagons through Argis. Once though the channel tunnel this train forms the 6B20 Dollands Moor - Wembley before heading to Daventry.

Providing additional power on the rear of the above service was DB Schenker/ Euro Cargo Rail Class 66 No.66045.

This triple headed combination formed of No.436331, No.426078, and No.436358 pass through Argis on a lengthy train of Fiat vans from Italy.

Silver liveried Class BB22200 No.522355 passes Argis on a south bound passenger service.

Class BB26000 No.426204 passes through Argis light engine towards Amberieu.

Having already banked a service train to Amberieu Yard, ECR Class 66 No.66045 returns south light engine.

TGV Sud Est No.69 passes through Virieu Le Grand Belle during the onset of regional rainfall.

SNCF Z27000 units No.27692 & No.27678 pause at Virieu Le Grand Belle with the 12:37 departure to Lyon Perrache.

A mixed combination of TGV No.262 & No.4505 pass Talissieu with the 12:31 Annecy – Paris Gare De Lyon (Train 6972).

SNCF BB26000 No.426204 passes Talissieu with a rake of open box wagons in the pouring rain.

SNCF Diesels Class 67300's No.567499+667409 pass Talissieu on a rake of ballast hoppers.

SNCF Class 36300 No.436359 passes through Talissieu on a rake of grain hoppers heading south for Italy.

TGV Dulpex No.282 passes Talissieu with the 13:42 Geneve – Paris Gare De Lyon (Train 9772).

Z27500 units No.27530 and No.27591 arrive into Curloz on a north bound passenger service.

Bi mode Units No.82724 & No.82717 arrive into Culoz with the 13:30 St Julien en Genevois – Lyon Part Dieu.

SNCF Infrastructure Class 67500 No.667627 passes through Curloz station complete with an engineering train having just exited the yard to the north of Culoz station.

Alstom/ Siemens Cl;ass BB75000 No.475423 & 475238 (photographed earlier at St Rampart) are seen returning north with a short mixed goods train at Curloz.

SNCF Class BB7200 No.407440 passes through Aix Les Bains - Le Revard station in the late afternoon humid rain.

A selection of French Locomotives, Units and TGV's are illustrated above, paused at Aix Les Bains - Le Revard Station.

Day 3: Chambery Area (Cruet, St Jean De La Porte, Les Peppes, Evescal)

Day 3 saw us awake to views of the snow covered alps located to the south of Chambery from our hotel room, the rain from the previous day had cleared overnight, and the sun was already burning away the remaining clouds in the area. Our plan for day three was to cover the section of line leading to the Italian border at Modane. The line twists, turns and climbs through the mountain range through the wine growing areas such as Cruet and St Jean de la Porte to the mountain stations of St Jean de Maurieene and Modane.

SNCF TGV No.4501 passes milepost 41 with the 06:00 Milano - Paris Gare De Lyon (Train 9240) as clouds slowly dissipate from the mountainside behind.

Z7500 Unit No.7507 leads No.9614 through St Jean de la Porte with the 11:36 St Jean de Maurienne- Chambery stopping service.

Z9600 Units No.9614 and 7507 pass milepost 41 with the 09:57 Chambery – St Jean de Maurienne stopping service.

SNCF BB7200 No.407439 passes milepost 41 with a rake of empty car/van flats heading for Italy.

SNCF TGV No.4503 passes Cruet with the 07:49 Paris Gare De Lyon - Milano (Train 9241)

SNCF TGV No.4502 passes the snow capped mountains and grape vines with the 08:50 Milano - Paris Gare De Lyon (Train 9244).

SNCF BB22300 No.522357 passes St Jean de la Porte withe a unscheduled passenger service.

SNCF Z9600 unit No.9504 passes St Jean de la Porte with the 12:18 Modane - Chambery stopping service.

SNCF TGV No.4502 heads away from the camera with the mountains and grape vines in the background while working the 08:50 Milano - Paris Gare De Lyon (Train 9244).

Alstom Siemens diesel locomotive No.475404 passes St Jean de la Porte on a mixed freight heading for the Italian border.

SNCF TGV No.4505 passes a quaint chateaux at St Jean de la Porte with the 10:41 Paris Gare De Lyon - Milano (Train 9245).

With an impressive backgrop, Alstom Siemens Class BB75000 No.475401 passes light engine through Bourg Evescal.

An Unidentified 'Z' Class unit passes Bourg Evescal.

SNCF BB36300 No.436345 passes Bourg Evescal with a loaded log train heading for east towards Modane.

SNCF BB36300 No.436338 passes Les Peppes with a train load of empty Gefco Car/Van flats.

SNCF BB26000 No.426128 passes Les Peppes with a returning load of empty flat wagons.

SNCF BB7200 No.407421 passes Les Peppes with an oil train heading west.

SNCF Z7500 No.7502 passes Les Peppes with the 16:24 Modane - Lyon Part Dieu

CB Rail Prima Locomotive No.37512 (possibly on hire to Europorte) passes Les Peppes with a westbound service.

Day 4: Chambery Area (Crust, Argentine, St Jean de la Maurienne, Les Peppes)

As day 4 started the heat was still increasing with temperatures now peaking in the low thirties. We spent the morning period at one of the many wine growing areas (Cruet) before moving closer towards Italy, calling in at Argentine, and other locations on route. We returned to Chambery Station for the evening peak in order to sort out tickets for the next day's trip to Grenoble and to record some of the French diesels operating the stopping services to Grenoble.

A pair of SNCF BB36300's No.436344 & No.436341 pass Cruet with an east bound grain train.

SNCF BB7200 No.407439 passes Cruet with a loaded train of vans from Italy being imported into France.

SNCF 'Cybic' BB26000 No.426204 passes Curet with a the daily ballast service to Amberieu.

Another pair of SNCF BB36300's No.436342 & No.436353 pass Cruet with a steel train heading for Italy.

SNCF TGV No.4505 heads towards Chambery with the 06:00 Milano - Paris Gare De Lyon (Train 9240).

SNCF TGV No.4501 passes through the twisting tracks at Argentine with the 07:49 Paris Gare De Lyon - Milano (9241).

Amid stunning scenery SNCF TGV No.4506 passes Argentine with the 08:50 Milano - Paris Gare De Lyon.

SNCF Z7500 Unit No.7501 passes Argentine with the 11:36 St Jean De Maurienne - Chambery stopping service.

SNCF Z9500 Class No.9509 passes Argentine with the 10:40 Chambery - Modane stopping service.

SNCF 'Y' Shunter No.8240 passes through St Jean de Maurriene station.

SNCF Z7500 No.7502 passes through Argentine with the 12:40 Chambery - Modane.

SNCF 'Cybic' BB26000 No.426204 passes Argentine with a ballast train heading for Modane.

SNCF BB36300 No.436346 passes Argentine with a rake of Gefco Van/Car flat returning to Italy.

SNCF BB7200 No.407430 rounds the curve at Argentine with a train load of vans from Italy.

Europorte Prima No.37505 passes through Argentine heading west light engine.

The discovery that French diesel locomotives were operating regular Chambery - Grenoble stopping services during our visit was a great surprise. While we had expected to see a few diesel locomotives, an operation on this scale could see at least 6 sets a day operational. The Chambery - Grenoble was closed for most of 2013 while the line was electrified. When the line was re-opened in December 2013 there was no new rolling stock available so Chambery retains 9 Class 67300 diagrams on weekdays pending the arrival of EMU's. Above No.567302 is pictured forming the 18:24 Chambery - Valence Ville while No.537634 later arrived from Grenoble. The stock used for the service is in very poor condition, mostly covered in Graffiti from previous storage. However these services won't be around for long, as once SNCF have more EMU's available these will be operating the route.

Day 5: Chambery - Grenoble

Day 5 marked the first of two French rail trips planned during our stay. Having already discovered French diesels were operating peak stopping services to the city, we decided these heritage items of rolling stock would provide the traction for our trip. Grenoble also proved to be a wonderfully architectural city surrounded by towering/ imposing mountains, which made for some nice photography. The journey between the two cities offered some superb views of the snow capped alps to the south, and stunning scenery along the journey.

SNCF BB22200 No.522266 departs from Chambery station (despite the lights indicating otherwise) to the roundhouse depot for servicing.

SNCF BB67300 No.567302 stands ready to form the 08:57 Chambery – Genoble service, while adjacent No.567371 collects it's stock for the day.

Two SNCF BB7200's, No.407375 & 7425(407425) pass through Chambery station.

SNCF 'Y' No.8232 arrives from Chambery depot to collect stock from a recently arrived service.

SNCF Z7500 No.7506 arrives into Chambery in the morning sunlight.

SNCF BB67300 No.567352 is pictured stood at Grenoble Station forming a stopping service to Chambery.

SNCF Duplex TGV's No.229 & 209 depart Grenoble for Paris via Lyon.

Above is a video featuring some of the French Diesels which operated in the Chambery area during our visit.

Grenoble Tram Network:

The Grenoble Tramway is located in the city of Grenoble in the Rhone Alps region of France, it first introduced trams in 1894 until their eventual demise in 1952. The city has a long history associated with this mode of public transport, and it was no surprise that Genboble became the second French city to reintroduce trams in 1987. Since then the network has grown substantially in size as well as its passenger usage. A further extension to the network is due to open in late 2014.

The current tram network in Grenoble is approximately 35 kilometers (22 miles) long, and comprises four lines: A, B, C and D.

Line A was opened in 1987, line B following in 1990, line C opened in 2006 and line D opened during October 2007.

The tram fleet consists of 52 Alstom TFS Trams (numbered 2001 - 2053) and a further 50 Alstom Citadis Trams (numbered 6001-6050).

SNCF BB67300 No.567371 stands at Grenoble with a service from the Genoble University to Valence Ville.

SNCF BB67300 No.567302 prepares to depart from Grenoble to Grenoble University empty stock.

SNCF BB67300 No.567364 stands at Chambery Station having arrived with the 17:03 Grenoble – Chambery stopping service.

The state of the coaching stock used on the Genoble services has been bought out of store to operate the service, but certainly does not paint SNCF in a good light. Some sets had fresh Graffiti attacks even during our stay.

Euro Porte Prima Locomotive No.37505 passes the famous Chambery Roundhouse with a train load of van / car flats returning to Italy.

Day 7: Chambery, Montmelian, Poncharra, St Jean De La Porte, Les Treppes

Having learned a little more about the diesel loco hauled services and having located a couple of potential photographic locations from the train the previous day, we set out on day seven with the intention to record more of these rare diesel locomotive hauled passenger trains. We covered much the same area as in previous days between Chambery and Les Treppes, but also migrated onto the Grenoble line in order to record some of the loco hauled services.

SNCF BB67300 No.567305 nears Montmelian with the 08:57 Chambery - Grenoble stopping service.

SNCF BB67300 No.567375 heads for Chambery shortly after departing from Montmelian station with the 08:39 Grenoble - Chambery.

SNCF BB22300 No.522314 passes Montmelian with the 07:05 Bourg San Maurice - Chambery stopping service.

SNCF TGV No.4501 nears Montmelian with the 06:41 Paris Gare De Lyon - Milano (Train 9239).

Colourful Z9600 unit No.9611 passes the poppy field near Montmelian with the 09:57 Chambery - Modane stopping service.

SNCF TGV No.4503 nears Chambery shortly after passing Montmelian with the 06:00 Milano - Paris Gare De Lyon (Train 9240)

Deputising for one of the SNCF Diesel locomotives Bimode Unit No.82616 nears Poncharra with the 10:03 Genoble - Chambery stopping service.

A heavily graffitied driving trailer leads the 10:40 Lyon - Modane service through St Jean De La Porte with BB22300 No.522355 on the rear of the set.

BB22300 No.522314 leads the11:05 Bourg San Maurice - Chambery stopping service through St Jean De La Porte.

SNCF TGV No.4502 rounds the curve at St Jean De La Porte operating the 08:50 Milano - Paris Gare De Lyon (Train 9244)

SNCF BB36300 No.436335 rounds the curve at St Jean De La Porte with empty covered steel wagons in tow.

SNCF BB22300 No.522358 passes a small chateux at St Jean De La Porte with an additional 11:40 Lyon - Bourg San Maurice.

Euro Cargo Rail Class 186 No.186-164-0 tows British Class 66 No. 66071 through Les Peppes light engine towards Italy.

SNCF TGV No.4505 passes St Jean De La Porte and Chateaux de Phillipe with the 10:41 Paris Gare De Lyon -Milano (Train 9245).

SNCF Diesel BB67300 No.567382 passes through Chigin Gare near Montmelian hauling the 18:03 Grenoble- Chambery stopping service.

EuroPorte Prima No.37505 passes through Les Pepppes light engine heading for Modane.

SNCF BB36300 No.436345 passes Les Peppes with a rake of Gefco Car/Van flats heading back to Italy.

SNCF Z9500 Units No.9515 and No.9611 pass through Les Peppes with the 14:50 Modane - Chambery stopping service.

SNCF BB67300 No.567375 passes through La Cheylas with the 17:57 Chambery - Grenoble stopping service.

Day 8: Chambery - Lyon

Day 8 provided yet more hot temperatures of nearly 34 degrees, the hot weather provided the perfect chance to visit the city of Lyon by train from Chambery. Our traction for the journey was SNCF BB22300 No. 522314 which operated the 09:02 Chambery - Lyon Part Dieu. Once in Lyon we traveled around the city on the established Tram, Metro and Trollybus network using a day travel card costing just five euros. The city was incredibly busy and diverse, with a good mix of modern build and preserved historical architecture.

SNCF BB22300 No.522314 is pictured at Chambery having arrived from the depot to work the 09:02 Chambery - Lyon Part Dieu passenger service.

SNCF TGV Duel Voltage set No.19 arrives and departs from Chambey with a passenger service from Paris Gare de Lyon to Geneve.

SNCF 'Y' No.8232 is pictured delivering stock to Chambery Station ready for a service train to Lyon.

SNCF TGV Duplex No.226 is pictured arriving into Lyon Part Dieu before departing for Paris.

Lyon Tram Network:

The current tram network in Lyon comprises 6 lines, 5 lines operated by TCL and one by Rhônexpress.

As well as trams, Lyon also has an underground metro system and overground trollybus network, both of which integrate with the tram network as part of the integrated public transport system for Lyon.

Lyon's modern tram network was only developed in 2001 and covers some 53.3 kilomteres (33.1 miles). The network is operated by a fleet of modern Alstom Citadis Trams.

The Rhone Express (linking the city with the airport) was added at a later date and uses a dedicated fleet of 6 trains to operate the 15 minute journey to the airport.

Day 9: Montmelian, Poncharra, Argentine, Les Peppes

Our final full day in France provided the threat of poor weather during the afternoon period with thunderstorms brewing over the Alps and a 50% chance of thunderstorms during the afternoon/ early evening period. With this in mind we set off early from the hotel to make the most of the day, and decided to cover the lines between Chambery - Poncharra and Chambery - Argentine. The split in these two lines occurring at Montmelian Station. The day proved to be another interesting one, with a few rare workings thrown in for good measure.

During the morning peak rush hour in Chambery, Alstom Siemens BB75000 No.475447 tows 'Y' No.8514 through Montmelian.

SNCF BB56300 No.567382 heads towards Chambery with the 07:39 Grenoble - Chambery stopping service.

SNCF BB67300 No.567364 passes Montmelian with the 08:24 Chambery - Grenoble stopping service.

SNCF Z7500 No.7509 & No.9507 depart from Montmelian with the 07:17 Modane - Chambery stopping service.

SNCF Bi Mode Unit No.82610 passes Montmeilian with an unidentified service train.

SNCF BB7200 No.407437 hauls a lengthy ballast train towards Chambery.

SNCF BB67300 No.567382 heads away from Chambery with the 08:57 Chambery - Granoble stopping service.

SNCF BB26000 No.426211 heads towards Chambery from Montmelian with a ballast train in tow.

Captured earlier in the week CB Rail 'Prima' No.37512 heads for Modane with a train load of grain in tow.

A pair of SNCF BB67300's pass the poppy fields near Montmelian with a rake of box wagons No.567526 leading with Infra Yelllow No.667608 tucked inside.

SNCF TGV No.4501 heads for Chambery with the 06:00 Milano - Paris Gare De Lyon (Train 9241).

SNCF TGV No.4504 passes through St Jean De La Porte with the 07:49 Paris - Milano (Train 9241)

SNCF TGV No.4505 passes Chateaux Phillipe at St jean De La Porte working the 08:50 Milano - Paris Gare De Lyon (Train 9244)

SNCF BB7200 No.407375 passes St Jean De La Porte with a lengthy train of Alfa Romeos from Italy.

Euro Cargo Rail Class 186 No.186-311-7 passes through St Jean De La Porte light engine.

This train evaded us on several days, and on the day it did turn up we were in the incorrect location to capture its full spectical. SNCF BB36300's No.4363348 and No.436347 sandwich a drivers coach on the Rolling Road Train from Italy seen passing Argentine.

The Rolling Road Train conveys road going vehicles from Italy to France providing quick carbon friendly transport for International Truck drivers cross borders, save fuel and be transferred closer to their destinations before onward road travel.

SNCF Z7500 No.7515 passes through Argentine with the 14:50 Modane - Chambery stopping service.

SNCF BB26000 No.426221 passes Argentine with a ballast train heading towards Italy.

SNCF BB36300 No.436343 passes Les Treppes with a train load of tanks heading towards Italy.

SNCF BB36300 No.436344 passes Les Treppes with a rake of Gefco flats in tow.

Euro Cargo Rail Class 186 No.186-311-7 leads a German DB Schenker Class 186 No.186-326-5 on a train of mixed Peugeot and Citroen Cars heading for Italy.

With thunderstorms brewing from the Alps behind Z9600 No.9633 passes Les Treppes with the 16:24 Modane - Chambery service.

SNCF BB36000 No.436338 passes Les Peppes with a trainload of Fiat vans from Italy heading into central France.