SNCF Orders New Trains and Locomotives for Night Routes

The French railway operator SNCF has ordered new passenger trains for the first time in 45 years. The company is acquiring 180 sleeper carriages and 30 locomotives to modernize its night train fleet. This was reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

SNCF Expands Its Night Train Network

This large order will replace 120 aging carriages, most of which are over four decades old. Additionally, 60 new carriages will increase seating capacity, allowing more passengers to travel comfortably. In 2024, almost one million travelers used night trains, marking a 23% increase from 2023.

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The newly acquired trains will operate across eight key routes connecting Paris with various regions of France. This initiative is designed to make rail transport more convenient and cost-effective, providing an alternative to air travel.

SNCF and the Future of Rail Travel

The French government continues to support railway expansion to reduce dependence on short-haul flights. In 2021, officials announced plans to purchase 300 new carriages and 30 locomotives.

These investments will enable the launch of ten additional night train routes across the country. This expansion will boost passenger traffic while reinforcing the popularity of long-distance rail travel.

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