One hour and 42 minutes after it passed in the other direction – see picture 329075
-, the same TGV set (Duplex Dasye #726) passes again at Ventabren on its way back from Marseille to Paris. The TGV fleet has the highest productivity ratio of all rolling material in France. It is used intensively, especially during the holiday rushes. A TGV set can easily travel 3 times in a day between Paris and Marseille. The journey from Paris to Marseille takes just 3 hours and covers a distance of 783 km (489 miles).
These engines will experience at best a long rest or at worst the sad fate of the cutting torch. Fortunately the magnificent Rouen Cathedral watches over them. Or is it mourning them?
Due to the economic downturn and the bad fortunes - or poor management? - of the SNCF freight Department, these electrics are experiencing a forced rest. Fortunately most of them should see service again but the fate of the diesels is more uncertain.
In France, freight on the road fares much better than on rails. As compared with Germany, it can indeed be said that the French SNCF poorly managed its freight business in the past decade. As a result, this sad view has appeared in Sotteville near Rouen. So as to make at least some petty money out of the new competition from emerging "private" competitors, SNCF Freight goes as far as leasing its own brand new and useless engines to its competitors.
