France’s state railway company is inventing three new light trains to boost traffic on local lines, including one which can run on both rail and road.
At the moment, most local lines in the TER (Transport Express Régional) network use trains which are built in a similar way to mainline ones, or are old mainline trains themselves.
The new trains are designed to be lighter, which means they will use less fuel and reduce the maintenance needed on tracks.
They also signal a definitive move away from diesel, being powered by electricity, batteries and hydrogen.
Designs for the three trains have been finalised, but it will be at least three years before they are used on commercial routes.
Carflex train by SNCFSNCF
The first to do so might be a large mini-bus sized train called Carflex, which can accommodate 13 passengers and a driver, and is able to leave the rails to drive on the road.
The first examples are due to be ready for trials in Brittany in 2026. However, a new system, dubbed Flexy by SNCF, must be put in place first, including new road and rail driving laws.
It is hoped that the first commercial operations will start in 2027.
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Electric vehicle specialist Milla is developing the train from the base of a battery-powered Renault Master van, while Michelin, the French tyre manufacturer, is designing special wheels which will click onto rails but also allow the train to be driven on roads.
SNCF said the system could be used to collect passengers from villages near railway lines without a station, and then travel on the rails, which it can join from simple level crossings.
The new Draisy model will have 30 seats and space for 50 people to standSNCF
Another futuristic-looking light train, called Draisy, is scheduled to begin an experimental run on lines in eastern France in 2027.
With 30 seats and space for 50 standing passengers in a single carriage, the train is 14m long. It will run on batteries and have a 100km range on one charge.
The batteries should be rechargeable in just two minutes for another 100km at special charging stations, which will be built in stations.
Weighing just 20 tonnes, the train should cause little damage to the lines and will operate like a streetcar.
“We see it as a real country train, running along lines which are not used or hardly used, and linking the stations along the lines with bigger stations,” said an SNCF spokesman.
“It should reduce the cost of running a train service by half.”
In order to reduce costs and speed up production, many of the train parts will be available from car and lorry makers, and it will have axles which move with the track.
The third train, called the Telli, is the most conventional looking and should be ready to enter service in 2029.
It is designed to be used on branch lines which used to have diesel trains, and where there are few existing rail services.
Powered by batteries or hydrogen, the big innovation with Telli will be a digital control system with the driver using drive-by-wire controls instead of mechanical links.
The digital cabin will be linked with compatible systems for signals, a control centre, safety systems and maintenance logs.
The new Trelli model by SNCF - computer illustrationSNCF
The budget to develop the Tellis is €89million, of which €37million has been co-financed by the French state energy agency Ademe under the government’s France 2030 project.
The double coach trains will seat 70 people.
SNCF is hoping that the train’s light weight – 40 tonnes – will lead to reduced track maintenance and the digitalisation of operations will further reduce running costs.
“With lower costs, there is the option of having more services and having more services is a key to getting people to use trains,” said an SNCF spokesman.
