I did, however, not stop for a photo of the loco hauled TER200, as I wanted to make some kilometres today. Short 5 Minutes connection in Strasbourg on a Régiolis to Metz. Once past the Voges, France gets really empty. I counted 4 Mins without seeing a single house while going 150 km/h. Arrival at Metz perfectly timed for lunch.
#LaFranceTractée
Back at the station after a short refill stop in town. It now gets at least mildly interesting, as my next train is one of only three a day between Metz and Bar-Le-Duc and further to Epernay. The part until Lérouville is new for me. It's a refurbished AGC - I like the new Grand Est livery, it brings some colours.
#LaFranceTractée
Railway photography by train in France is always rather difficult, but this week I'm playing in "very hard" mode:
- I have 3 days less than planned (later start due to the heatwave), the plan doesn't add up anymore
- In some regions, the old stock taken out during the heatwave is still not back in service
- I'm carrying a 20-year old camera with an equally old knackered lens instead of my usual gear.
#LaFranceTractée
Changing trains in Epernay, where two regional lines connect to the fast TER to Paris-Est. The platform roof is obviously the model Porto-Campanhã ordered on TEMU. And the TER to Paris are weirdly worked by Coradia Liner in Intercités livery, even though it's a TER Grand Est service!
#LaFranceTractée
... Wait! All TER? My map says no! So it is time for my dose of rural France.
Indeed, three TER towards Paris in the morning and from Paris in the evening are still Corail push-pull-sets with a Sybic. And here's the first one of tonight.
#LaFranceTractée
The old camera is a bit difficult to handle. Slow, wonky AF, only 4 pics per sec. But these colours. 🥰 That's again a completely unedited JPG out of camera. Oh, and the train is one of the only two classic trains Strasbourg-Paris, that somehow still survived.
#LaFranceTractée
Otherwise, things are looking less good. On the Le Mans axis, some Nez Cassé trains (and only them! 😡) have been suspended due to storm damage. In HDF, the heatwave has damaged so many trains, that they're running a special timetable, apparently without Néz Cassé. Why is there some kind of force majeure thing every effing time I'm in France?! Bloody Hell. 🤬
#LaFranceTractée
There was also some freight involved yesterday evening. Speaking of which: That's a complete blank spot for me. I know, that Hexafret still operates some BB 22200, but I have no idea where. Are there any lines or trains with a good chance to see one?
#LaFranceTractée
Jun 29, 2026, 8:55 PM@dominicstucki For having been to Porto Campanhã several times ... it's not a good train station.
@bentsukun
Why that? I like Campanhã. But what triggers me more: What have they done to the lights of this poor 2240? 😱
Jun 30, 2026, 1:32 PM@dominicstucki Why does Campanhã have like 20 tracks of which five are being used? Why are there endless hallways leading nowhere? Why is the transfer from the metro so awkward?
Jun 30, 2026, 8:06 AM@dominicstucki freight nez cassés are AFAICT no longer in regular service, only for backups. Hexafret has enough 27000s for pretty much all they do these days.
22200s are used for Ouigo Classique (the pink ones), a few TER and Infra. And two loaners from Infra for the LGV SEA night trains.
@remi
Oh, is that a recent change? This spring, I always saw some HXF 22200 at Strasbourg depot and also got one on camera with a freight train towards the north-west.
Jun 30, 2026, 12:36 PM@dominicstucki I have no specific information, just what I could gather here and there with various sources, esp when the two TVM-enabled 22200s were repainted and loaned to Intercité de nuit.
Jun 30, 2026, 2:03 PM@dominicstucki from the Fos refinery in Bouches du Rhone I think?