SNCF orders new bimodal trains for intercity routes

SNCF has placed an order for 34 new bimodal Coradia Liner trains to replace the country’s ageing fleet of Corail vehicles.

The order, which is worth €350 million, comes off the back of an announcement by the French government earlier this year on plans to invest in modernising France’s intercity train fleet.

The new trains will operate long-distance services and will be classed between the regional TER trains and high-speed TGV.

Delivery and commissioning is expected to be completed ready for the start of revenue service in December 2015.

Announcing the order, Alstom said: “The Coradia Liner matches exactly the SNCF’s requirements in terms of performance, comfort and services for passengers.

“It is fully accessible thanks to platform-level boarding. On-board passenger traffic is made much smoother thanks to spacious passenger areas perfectly suited to long-haul journeys.”

Construction of the new trains will be spread out across six Alstom sites around the country; Reichshoffen (design and assembly), Ornans (engines), Le Creusot (bogies), Tarbes (traction systems), Villeurbanne (on-board computers) and Saint-Ouen (design).




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