I finally got around to uploading photos I took during my trip to France back in June...
These first two shots are of BB 22000 electrics at Gare de Bercy in Paris, which I took while waiting to take a loco-hauled Intercités service to Clermont-Ferrand:
A quick snap of some TGVs I took from the train window shortly after departure. I'm guessing the left-hand set is a Reseau rather than an older (but almost identical) Atlantique, while the other two are Duplex sets. The 'Lyria' branding on the centre set denotes that it's used on services to Switzerland.
A few minutes later, my train was overtaken by this BB 22000 heading a push-pull set of Corail coaches on a TER Bourgogne (Burgundy regional) service...
Three-and-a-half hours later, I stepped off the train in Clermont-Ferrand and took the this quick (poor) photo of a RRR push-pull driving tailer:
While in Clermont-Ferrand, I took a visit to the nearby Puy du Dome, an extinct volcano which has some spectacular views from the top. I've been there quite a few times, but this was the first time I used the rack railway to the summit, which was built just a few years ago. Check out the V-shaped sleepers...
Meanwhile, back in the town of Clermont-Ferrand, there's a tram system which is fitted with pneumatic tyres and guided by a central rail - a direct influence of Michelin, whose headquarters are in the town! It's the first tram system in the world to use this particular set-up...
After a few days in Clermont, it was time to take 'Le Cevenol' south to Nimes. Although its name sounds grand, it's a rather down-at-heel service consisting of a veteran Sulzer-powered BB 674000 diesel and three unrefurbished Corail coaches. The journey took over five hours, but it was completely worth it because of the spectacular scenery on its route through the Cevennes... definitely worthy of its place in lists of Great Railway Journeys! Unfortunately, SNCF neglected to wash the windows, so although I could see through them OK, the film of dirt ruined any photos I tried to take.
While waiting to depart from Clermont, this Y8000 locotracteur (shunter) appeared on pilot duties, releasing a loco which had just arrived with some Corails a regional service.
The interior of an unrefurbished Corail coach. Surprisingly, I found it more comfortable than the modernised version... although like a lot of SNCF stock, including some TGVs, the air conditioning is mediocre (I'd much rather have a 22k on a hot day!)...