FRET SNCF is planning to operate parcels trains at 200 km/h on its Paris Sud-Est high-speed line by the end of this year. SNCF subsidiary Sernam launched 160 km/h trains from Paris to Bordeaux and Toulouse and to Orange, near Avignon, last October (RG 10.97 p656). The Orange train already uses the PSE line between Valenton and Aisy at 160 km/h, but could continue as far as Mâcon if allowed to run at 200 km/h.
Fret SNCF director Armand Toubol sees 200 km/h operation as a way of breaking into the air freight market. He told a conference of air cargo operators in May that Sernam would be introducing a 200 km/h service to Marseille this year, by extending the Avignon train. 200 km/h running would also allow the Bordeaux train to use TGV Atlantique from next year.
Known as MGV (Messageries à Grande Vitesse), the trains are formed of loco-hauled vans with high-performance brakes and bogie shrouds to minimise noise. They are limited to around 300 tonnes, as the vans must run part-loaded to keep within the 17 tonne static axleload limit on the high-speed routes. Nevertheless, Toubol says MGV is more cost-effective than a freight TGV. The only restriction is that the slower trains must be timetabled between 270 or 300 km/h passenger services, but he is confident that sufficient line capacity will be available over the next few years.
Toubol also revealed that Fret SNCF and Aeroports de Paris are discussing the potential for a spur off TGV Jonction to serve the air cargo terminal at Roissy Charles-de-Gaulle airport. o
