Railways in france, 1980's/90's more pics added 01/2015

[Fat Controller]

Mixed bag tonight, some have got out of order so these don't necessarily go together.

 

France rail472.jpg

First off we see BB26000 No.26110 stabled in the yard at Gevry-Chambertin, south of Dijon, alongside newly liveried BB66203. The sybics were at this time being delivered and having acceptance trials via Dijon Perrigny depot. We did sample the wines while staying close by.

 

France rail473.jpg

Much further south, at Nimes, BB67402 is waiting to depart east with a short train.

 

France rail474.jpg

Last one from the Chemins de Fer de la Provence, and the shed/works at Lingostiere is host to the older single railcar, a newer loco T62, with another railcar inside and a fuel tanker outside. This was my only visit to Lingostiere where it wasn't baking hot.

 

France rail497.jpg

Finally tonight, and we are at Sainghin-en-Weppes, SW of Lille, where a BB loco  (ex DB I think), belonging to Private Owner "Drouard" is stabled. What it was doing there I never found out. Sainghin was a remarkable place with a very varied range of loco-hauled trains, including both BB12000 and BB14000 locos, sadly all now gone. I have ONE BB12000 on video.

Drouard were one of a number of track maintenance companies that did renewals for SNCF; this loco was probably working locally. They're now known as ETF, and have been doing some work around the Calais area recently. Most of these contractors seem to favour ex-DB locos- I'm not sure, but I think the one in the photo was a V211.

[JeffP]

Tonight we are at one of the largest sheds in france, Dijon Perrigny. Perrigny was responsible for the acceptance and entry into service of the whole BB26000 fleet.

Not an easy depot to find...it toook me several circuits of the area and a helpful French driver before I found the way in.

 

Here is 26070 in it's newer silver livery, stabled at Perrigny depot.

 

And here is one of the first pair of CC7100 locos, CC7002. I am unsure as to whether CC7001/2 differed from those numbered in the 71xx range.

Reference to my Platform 5 book says that CC7001/2 were the two prototypes and slightly lighter/shorter. They were built in 1949, against 1954 for the others.

 

Stabled behind CC7001 is BB8104, then still in use on mainline trains. Most of the class is now withdrawn or used for ecs, renumbered in the 800xx series.

 

And here is "Nez cassee" CoCo diesel 72009 awaiting it's next turn. These were, at that time, both the largest and most powerful diesels in France, haulage from one was a treat.

 

Finally, tonight, a long shot of Dijon Perrigny depot from the end of the headshunt/depot entrance. The smaller open-ended shed on the right seemed to be for pantograph maintenance.

 

 

[EddieB]

The CC7001/2 prototypes were also a lot less powerful than the production series (2770kW against 3490kW or 3240kW, depending on batch), the latter being built between 1952 and 1955. Similar locos were exported to Spain, Holland, Morocco and Algeria.  The prototypes marked a departure from the rigid frame designs for express electric locomotives.

 

I never managed to track down the prototypes, but did manage to visit Dijon-Perrigny on one occasion.  Turned up 'on spec' and enquired of the Chef and very pleasantly surprised to be given permission.

[JeffP]

I managed to see both, although only having the photo of CC7002, which was at Perrigny. CC7001 was at Avignon on my first visit.

[JeffP]

Still at Perrigny depot, with BB8214 in splendid condition, obviously very much still in use.

 

Interior of the roundhouse at Perrigny depot, mostly Sybics and 222xx locos.

 

Two views of ex Y24xx series loco, now LOCMA0031 at Perrigny, carrying the chocolate and orange shunter colour scheme.

 

Shunter Y7418 stabled at Perrigny.

 

And close by was Y7148 still carrying it's cast numberplate.

 

Stabled shunters at Perrigny. There were usually quite a few stabled even on weekdays during August and July, due to a down-turn in traffic for the French holidays.

Depots took the chance to overhaul those which were normally out-stationed.

[kintbury jon]

Lovely roundhouse photos.  

[ianp]

Has the SNCF achieved capitalist Nirvana and discovered how to run a business with no staff at all? I never see any workers in your photos. Are French depots fully automated in some way? Or did the staff hide when they saw the English train spotter coming?

[Fat Controller]

Has the SNCF achieved capitalist Nirvana and discovered how to run a business with no staff at all? I never see any workers in your photos. Are French depots fully automated in some way? Or did the staff hide when they saw the English train spotter coming?

Lunchtime- you never see anyone...

[JeffP]

There were a few folk about, but bear in mind most photos are either end of August and many would be holidaying.

Also I usually waited anyone moving out of shot if I could.

 

The people at the sheds were amazing, I had offers to move locos into better light, put pantographs up/down and lights on/off etc.

 

I also got short rides round depots and my eldest son was given a chance to ride a 72000 onto the turntable at Nevers, into the shed, then showed how to shut down the motor and asked to do it, while my youngest was photographed in the driver's seat of a TGV at Nice.

 

Compare to our reception at most UK depots.

[JeffP]

Outside the rear of Perrigny depot, BB8192 is stabled amongst the August weeds in a livery of faded orange/cement.

 

Whilst at the front of the depot BB8509 appears to have had the cabsides cleaned, while the rest remains dirty.

 

At the front of the depot are a pair of then newly delivered Sybics, BB26185 at front and BB26186 behind.

 

And also hiding amongst the weeds is withdrawn Y6580, minus all cabside numbers and awaiting a decision...sale or breakers?

 

 

[JeffP]

First ones tonight are at Lille Flandres station, and here is BB 16525 in the old green livery with a rake of local stock.

 

Also at Lille Flandres and BB16515 prepares to leave, It is in the later cement and orange livery.

 

Hazebrouck, and here we see Y8477 stabled beside the main line.

 

Sainghin-en-Weppes and an unidentified BB63000 drifts through, probably en-route for Lens depot.

 

The sun is shining on BB16542 at Sainghin-en-Weppes as it arrives with a local from Lille.

 

This is Vergigny-Gare again, with BB8579 en route towards Paris.

 

 

[brushman47544]

More interesting photos thanks, Jeff.

 

I've always wondered what made SNCF choose that "beton" livery. I quite like it on an ex-works (i.e. clean) 7200/22200 but on anything else and when dirty it look drab and as if SNCF doesn't care about how it's locos are presented. Mind you I don't like the new Carmillion either...

[Fat Controller]

For those who have been enjoying this thread, might I suggest having a look at this site, run by some enthusiasts from Hazebrouck:-

http://lapassiondutrain.blogspot.com.au/

It's a mixture of stuff; a strong theme about contemporary activity around the Calais/Hazebrouck/Dunkerque triangle, but with excursions elsewhere, and much interesting historical material.

[JeffP]

I have it in my mind that David Heydock, who was/is responsible for the Platform 5 SNCF books lived at or near Hazebrouck.

[Fat Controller]

I have it in my mind that David Heydock, who was/is responsible for the Platform 5 SNCF books lived at or near Hazebrouck.

He's a bit further east at Douai, near Valenciennes. He still does the Platform 5 books, as well as editing 'Today's Railways- Europe'

[JeffP]

Y7400 class shunter with track machines at Vergigny Gare.

 

BB7200 class loco awaiting departure from Vergigny Gare to the south with a Paris-Marseille Grandes Lignes train.

 

Two views of Y8400  class shunter, No. Y8264 at Ales, in the Gard region, (not Arles).

 

Three views of a pair of BB666xx locos with a train of bogie tanks, awaiting departure towards Nimes. They are, l to r, BB66616 and BB66614

[JeffP]

Avignon depot, and shed pilot Y5161 is moving a covered bogie wagon onto the turntable at the diesel part of the shed, which is the bombed roundhouse.

 

View round the diesel part of the shed.

 

The reception sidings, and BB66615 is awaiting entry to the depot.

 

Behind it was CC7142.

 

Overall view of the reception sidings with varied electric traction arriving, at least four CC7100's are on view.

 

View down towards the diesel part of the shed, two more CC7100's, including CC7130, and the existing roundhouse on the extreme right.

 

Inside the remaining roundhouse, which is usually given over to electric traction, this was a weekday and it was only half full.

[kintbury jon]

Super depot.  Took my wife with me around the depot in 2003. Was our 1st wedding anniversary that day too!  

[JeffP]

Sadly, not as accessible now.

 

My first two visits were by car in the mid to late 90's. On the first visit, I could not find the depot, and ended up at a wagon repair shops on the SW of the city. Enquiries there saw one of the blokes tell me to follow him in his van. On asking him if he was going, he said, "I am now," and smiled.

 

My last visit, about three years ago, was by train. It's quite a long walk from the station too.

Sadly, I got a straight refusal.

[brushman47544]

My last visit, about three years ago, was by train. It's quite a long walk from the station too.

Sadly, I got a straight refusal.

 

That's one of the unfortunate effects of Vigipirate. Find a friendly SNCF staff member though (and there's plenty of them) and things can still be accessible.

[Focalplane]

Somewhat off topic but I am reminded of a time, about 10 years ago when I was working in Venezuela.  The state oil company had recently fired 10,000 employees for being on strike and had not replaced them.  I went to an area which included a large pipeline pumping station and tank farm south of Maturin.  We were able to walk around the entire site without seeing anyone!

[JeffP]

And THAT has put me in mind of a recent post by ianp about a distict lack of SNCF employees on my pics.

Just for you Ian, there's two on my last pic, right across the turntable.

[JeffP]

Avignon depot was also home to one or two withdrawn locos on my first visit, Here is one of the older BB8100 class locos, awaiting a decision. All the plates had been removed, so it's identity was unknown.

 

Here, BB8118 is also awaiting either the cutter's torch, or a trip to Beziers works for making into a BB80000 series loco.

 

Amongst the mainline diesels was this Y2400 shunter, also withdrawn. Behind it can be seen a BB94xx loco.

 

Two more BB94xx locos, in front is BB9466, in the grey and chocolate livery, and behind it, and unknown loco, in the green livery, both withdrawn.

 

At the rear of the shed, two BB85xx locos, BB8528 and I THINK BB8514 are awaiting attention.

 

Finally, the view into the shed from near the open turntable area. It's a weekday, so few locos are in view. The "new" speed limit looks a little optimistic.

[kintbury jon]

I liked the BB9400 class with many in a livery unique to the class.  I remember catching a train from Avignon to Cavaillon and passing a row of at least 10 of them in a siding at L'isle la Sorgue.  Went back with my dad in the car and got a photo of them.

 

BB9435 leads the line.  This is probably 1993.

 

 

[JeffP]

L'Isle sur la Sorgue, one of my favourite places.

They were probably stored withdrawn. What year was it?