SEVERAL batches of new multiple units have been ordered by the French regions which are taking over responsibility for most non-high-speed Intercités routes.
‘Omneo Premium’ part double-deck articulated EMUs were ordered from Bombardier in November to operate services between Paris Nord and Maubeuge/St Quentin in northern France.
The new trains will replace SNCF Class BB 22200 electric locos and Corail coaches from 2022 onwards.
Elsewhere in France, another fleet of 40 ‘Omneo Premium’ trains will enter service from late-2019, replacing Classes BB 15000 and BB 26000, working Intercités trains from Paris St Lazare to Normandy (routes to Le Havre and Cherbourg).
Another order for 32 trains will remove loco-hauled Intercités services from the Paris Austerlitz to Orleans/Tours route starting from late-2020, with all the new trains delivered by December 2022. These are currently worked by BB 7200 and BB 26000 locomotives.
Read more News and Features in the January 2019 issue of The RM – on sale now!
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