Soon hybrid trains on the Rodez-Toulouse line
The SNCF, the Occitanie Region and Alstom are working on a hybrid train, which no longer runs 100% on diesel, as is currently the case for many TERs. One of the first lines to be equipped will be Rodez-Toulouse, from 2023.
This is very good news for line users. And even if it will initially only be a test phase in a commercial situation, it is a major development, which will strengthen the rail link between Rodez and Toulouse. SNCF is working, with Alstom, in partnership with the Occitanie Region (as well as New-Aquitaine, Grand-Est and Centre-Val-de-Loire) on a new hybrid train. A solution to get out of all diesel, as is the case on many regional lines, especially in Aveyron, where the cost of electrifying the lines is far too high for the SNCF, which is responsible for infrastructure management , can take it.
In concrete terms, Alstom has developed a solution to replace half of the internal combustion engines with storage systems made up of lithium-ion batteries. It was on the Alstom site in the Hautes-Pyrénées that the technology was developed.
A year ago, the train manufacturer announced the end of the test bench test phase and Occitania and the Grand-Est Region each have frames available for testing on the network. These are in progress, and should make it possible to obtain the authorizations to then launch the experimental phase under real conditions.
The SNCF naturally revealed that the four Regions which helped to finance the project will be the first to be provoked by the hybrid frameworks. In Occitania, two sections have been chosen: Toulouse – Rodez and Toulouse – Mazamet. We will have to wait a little longer before seeing this new train arrive at Rodez station. But not very long.
The release is indeed scheduled for the second quarter of 2023. “ In 2018, I engaged the Region, alongside our partners, in this experimentation with the hybrid train, which offers real prospects in terms of energy savings and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, recalls Carole Delga, the president of Occitania. Today, we are taking a major step before the commercial service of this train in early 2023. Tomorrow, we will go even further since the first circular hydrogen train between Montréjeau and Luchon in 2025. “
An argument for modernizing the line
The process developed by Alstom makes it possible to equip trains already in service, which should make it possible to see many circular frames fairly quickly on the network. Good news for the Rodez-Toulouse line which, badly degraded, suffers from the lack of investment by the SNCF to make it competitive with the car.
Moreover, the Occitanie Region has been pushing for several years for the company to renovate it and Carole Delga has said she is ready, on several occasions, to provide additional funding. This is what it will do by financing 75% of the 3 million euros which will be used, in the coming weeks, for the renovation of the track in Naucelle, which should last until mid-April. With a closure of the track scheduled between March 21 and April 3.
Users now hope that the arrival of modern trains will push the SNCF networks to thoroughly review the line in order to upgrade it in Aveyron as in the Tarn, and thus bring Aveyron a little closer to the regional capital.