New high-speed train Oxygène unveiled in France

The high-speed train Oxygène was officially unveiled in Villeneuve by SNCF, the French Ministry of Transport, and Spanish manufacturer CAF. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Testing will begin in the second half of 2025 and is expected to be completed by mid-2026. Commercial authorization is scheduled for the end of next year.

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Fifty trains are expected to enter service between 2027 and 2029. The new fleet will replace aging Corail locomotives on the Paris–Clermont-Ferrand, Paris–Limoges–Toulouse, and Bordeaux–Toulouse–Marseille routes.

Production and features of the high-speed train Oxygène

The trains are manufactured at CAF’s facility in Reichshoffen, northeastern France. Each unit consists of ten cars and can reach speeds of up to 200 km/h.

Capacity is 420 passengers, including 103 first-class and 317 second-class seats. Double train formations can carry up to 840 passengers per journey.

Infrastructure and investment in the high-speed train Oxygène

To support deployment, SNCF Réseau and the French government are investing €2.36 billion in infrastructure upgrades. These improvements aim to boost compatibility, speed, and traction capacity.

In 2019, SNCF ordered 28 Oxygène trains from CAF for €750 million. Delivery was delayed due to brake and drive system issues. In December 2024, SNCF exercised a contract option to purchase 22 additional units for €400 million.

Both orders are fully funded by the French government. The new rolling stock will replace outdated locomotives, offering more sustainable and efficient intercity travel across France.

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