Paris Gare Montparnasse power failure disrupts TGVs

The Paris Gare Montparnasse power failure suspended rail traffic on August 27 after a failure in the station’s electrical system disrupted operations.

Electrical system failure stops rail traffic

The interruption began at about 10:30 local time, or 08:30 GMT. Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot said the disruption was initially expected to last roughly three hours as SNCF Reseau teams worked to restore normal service.

“The transportation plan has been adjusted, and SNCF Reseau teams are fully mobilized to restore normal service as quickly as possible,”

Rail services remained fully interrupted for around three hours before traffic gradually began to resume from approximately 15:00. The rail service disruption caused major delays and cancellations, including TGV services to Brittany, Nantes and Bordeaux.

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Normal service resumes gradually

Major disruption continued as operations resumed, with normal service expected only later in the evening.

What is known about rail traffic

The disruption also affected Transilien Line N, where services were suspended between Paris-Montparnasse and Versailles-Chantiers. SNCF Voyageurs said some TGV services arriving before noon were delayed by as much as three hours.

The incident involved a power failure in a supervision room used to manage train departures and arrivals at Montparnasse. Images taken at the station on August 27 showed passengers waiting during the suspension.