France - Lines with Obscure or Sparse passenger services

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Introduction

Timetable Information

It has not been possible to obtain access to the working timetable in recent years. The entries in this list therefore derive from:

  • services which can be adduced from public timetable information (such as occasional pre-planned engineering diversions where these are shown in the journey planners) for which an explanation is given
  • services where the same train / timings apply as in the last accessed working timetable and where it may therefore be assumed that the same "obscure" routing applies
  • services for which the routing has been confirmed subsequently.

Therefore for some entries this list does not represent the service for any specific timetable period and it is not planned to update these entries with each timetable change. For some entries where the service is particularly sparse or difficult to deduce, individual trains are listed and the compilers will endeavour to update these entries with each timetable change. These entries are based on the timetable commencing 11 December 2016, unless otherwise stated. Standard abbreviations are explained in General Information.

Dates of Running

SNCF has some of the most complex patterns in Europe of dates on which some trains run, such that they can be very cumbersome to express in words. The entries thus show just the basic pattern, such as weekdays only or weekends only. The letter 'D' denotes a train whose dates of operation are seasonal or variable. Users should use the SNCF journey planner to determine on which dates a train runs.

The timetable fiches do not normally cover the whole year. A new series usually comes into force in July, but not all régions seem to adhere to the same July date. These summer/autumn fiches are not normally available until June. Check also when reading the timetable fiches for dated entries, fiches being reissued after they have come into force (and hence not necessarily available at the time of compiling this page) and gaps in the period covered (which can give rise to a 'hidden' suspension of service). Owing to this complex situation users should not rely on this page being up to date at all times and should check on the SNCF journey planner. Check for alterations in consequence of engineering works and of service reductions at holiday periods at SNCF website or through the TER regional websites.

Engineering Diversions

The headings for routes which have a habit of re-appearing reasonably regularly for engineering diversions are retained but this is no guarantee that such diversions will be scheduled during any given timetable year. Where examples of usage are given to assist in identifying relevant trains, users should compare these with the timetable for the period in which they are interested - where the details are the same then it may be expected that the routing will be the same. Reports to bring entries up to date will be welcomed. If any reader can provide details from the train service databases the compilers will be very pleased to hear from them.

LGVs

Details are not generally given below of spurs linking to Lignes à Grande Vitesse (LGVs) (except in the cases of a few little-used or particularly obscure spurs). An overall schematic of LGVs is available here while a more detailed plan identifying the lines used by Trains à Grande Vitesse (TGV) trains beyond the LGV system is here. More detailed schematic plans of all LGVs can be found via this list; these plans should be consulted to identify all the various spurs on and off LGVs and it should be assumed that TGVs make maximum use of LGVs on their line of route.

Where reference is made to TGV services, this should be taken to include Eurostar, Thalys, Ouigo and Izy trains as appropriate, where the context so permits and unless otherwise indicated (but remember that Ouigo and Izy trains may not show up on Voyages-SNCF or HAFAS-related on-line journey planners - only on their dedicated websites).

Table Numbers/Fiches

No overall French public timetable in tabular form is now issued, so table numbers cannot be quoted. Lines are listed by local government Région so, for local services, the number of the TER fiche is quoted. These can be downloaded through the TER website: select the relevant Région and follow Horaires & Trafic > Fiches Horaires.

Regions

From 2016 the Régions (which date only from 1982) have been merged into super-Régions, although the pre-2016 regional names continue to be used by SNCF - and herein. The super-Région names are shown in parentheses alongside the old in the lists below.

There are no entries for the following Régions: Corse (Corse); Haute-Normandie (Normandie); Midi-Pyrénées (Occitanie)

Maps

Map references for each route entry are given in parentheses ( ). References prefixed "ERA" refer to the European Railway Atlas France & Benelux Regional Series 2016, by M.G.Ball. An additional map reference in italics for some entries refers to the Schweers+Wall Atlas Ferroviaire de la France Band 1 Nord, dated 2015.

SNCF Voyages' most recent on-line passenger network plan is misleading as well as out of date: see the General Information Maps page for mapping information.

Obscure services

Alsace Région (Grand Est)

Mulhouse

(ERA 72C1; 69B1) FR17/1

Three possible routes exist for TGVs between Strasbourg and Belfort-Montbéliard TGV (or beyond) to traverse the Mulhouse area.

  • (a) by means of the original main line via Mulhouse-Dornach, with reversal in Mulhouse Ville

Trains with a stop of 10 minutes or more at Mulhouse and taking 46 minutes or less to/from Strasbourg are highly likely to take this route.

  • (b) via the Contournement de Mulhouse and Raccordement de Wanne: Lutterbach (Haut-Rhin) (Bifurcation de Lutterbach) – Mulhouse (via Mulhouse Nord)

This route enables these trains to avoid reversal at Mulhouse. In the 2016-2017 timetable most trains run via this route and it may be assumed that trains spending only 3-4 minutes at Mulhouse Ville run this way as they do not have time for a reversal. The compilers would welcome confirmation (or contradiction) that the following trains take this route.

TGV9580 Frankfurt (Main) Hbf - 16:15 Strasbourg - Marseille St-Charles
SSuO TGV6827 Strasbourg - 18:31 Colmar - Marseille St-Charles
SSuO TGV6898 Marseille St-Charles - 11:26 Mulhouse Ville - Strasbourg
TGV9582 Marseille St-Charles - 12:55 Mulhouse Ville - Frankfurt (Main) Hbf
D TGV9896 Montpellier - 15:02 Mulhouse Ville - Luxembourg
TGV6874 Marseille St-Charles - 18:04 Mulhouse Ville - Strasbourg

Click on the thumbnail for a full size map.


  • (c) via Mulhouse-Dornach – Brunstatt

This direct curve, to the west of Mulhouse, between the Colmar line near Mulhouse-Dornach and the Belfort line near Brunstatt, enables these trains to avoid Mulhouse altogether.

TGV6839 06:23 Strasbourg Ville - Montpellier Saint-Roch
D MFO TGV6827 18:36 Strasbourg Ville - Marseille St. Charles
SSuX TGV6899 Marseille St. Charles - 10:52 Belfort Montbéliard TGV - Strasbourg Ville
D TGV6882 Montpellier Saint-Roch - 18:53 Belfort Montbéliard TGV - Strasbourg Ville

Click on the thumbnail for a full size map.


(Flüh [Switzerland] –) frontier – Leymen – frontier (– Rodersdorf [Switzerland])

(ERA 72C1; 69C2) FR2

BLT operate through France - see Swiss table > 505 - over this route which is not linked to the French national network.

Aquitaine Région (Nouvelle Aquitaine)

Raccordement de la Grave: St.Loubès (La Grave d'Ambarès Supérieure) – Ste.Eulalie-Carbon-Blanc (Bifurcation de la Grave)

(ERA 73A2) FR50

An east <=> south curve linking the high level (Angoulême) and low level (Saintes) lines. In the past this curve was used by late evening trains southbound to Bordeaux and by early morning and late evening ones northbound from Bordeaux. This pattern probably still applies but details of individual trains are no longer available to the compilers.

Click on the thumbnail for a full size map.


Auvergne Région (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes)

Raccordement de St.Germain-des-Fossés: Vichy - Roanne

[fiche 06] (ERA 75A4) FR100

This east <=> south curve is used by through trains between Lyon and Clermont-Ferrand via Vichy when not scheduled to call at St.Germain-des-Fossés. It is now the north <=> east main line, from St.Germain-des-Fossés station towards Roanne, that has the less frequent service - see fiche 06.

Basse-Normandie Région (Normandie)

Raccordement de Folligny: Bifurcation km 74,0 – Bifurcation km 74,9

[fiche Cherbourg - Rennes] (ERA 69A4; 26C2) FR17/150

This curve provides a direct connection between Coutances and Granville. It was used in July and August 2016 by seasonal through trains between Caen and Granville not scheduled to call at Folligny. Details of services in summer 2017 are not yet available.

Bourgogne Région (Bourgogne-Franche-Comté)

Raccordement de Saincaize (Nevers avoiding line): La Guerche-sur-l'Aubois – Saincaize

(ERA 75A5; 69B2) FR200

No regular service over this west <==> south curve but used for diversions (as in August 2016) when the line north of Nevers is blocked.

Raccordement de Laroche-Migennes: Poste 5 (station south side) - Poste 4 (main line)

[fiche Auxerre - Dijon] (ERA 71A2, not shown; 50D4) FR201

Used by through trains between Auxerre-St.Gervais and Dijon Ville, between Laroche-Migennes (station south side, voie K, where the trains reverse) and St.Florentin-Vergigny. The east end connection with the former PLM main line at Poste 4 is a grade-separated junction, with separate pair (up) and impair (down) raccordements. Click on the thumbnail for a full size map.


Raccordement de Perrigny (Dijon): Bifurcation Raccordement Belfort - Perrigny Bifurcation km 318 Chagny lines

(ERA 71C1; 66C4) FR202

A 2013 high level link south of Dijon between the Dole and Beaune lines, forming part of the non-LGV link between LGVs Rhin-Rhône and Sud-Est. It avoids conflicts with the ground level routes through the yards and is used by through TGVs between Strasbourg and Lyon or beyond except those booked to avoid the Dijon area altogether and call at Lons-le-Saunier (TGV6836/7 and 6874/5). Click on the thumbnail for a full size map.


Meursault (Bifurcation km 363,0) – Santenay-les-Bains (Chagny ex-Poste 4) via Chagny ex-Poste 3bis and Raccordement Nevers

[fiche 12] (ERA 75C5; 78A2-B2) FR203

Used by trains between Dijon and the Montchanin branch when not scheduled to call at Chagny. Click on the thumbnail for a full size map.


Meursault (Bifurcation km 363,0) – Chagny (west side platforms) via Chagny ex-Poste 3bis

[fiche 12] (ERA 75C5; 78A2-B2) FR204

Used by trains between Dijon and the Montchanin branch when scheduled to call at Chagny, where they reverse in the west side platforms 4 or 5 (track A, B or C). Click on the thumbnail for a full size map.


Rully (Chagny (Poste 1)) – Chagny (west side platforms)

[fiche 12] (ERA 75C5, not shown; 78B2, not shown) FR205

Used by through trains between Chalon sur Saône and the Montchanin branch, which call at Chagny in the west side platforms 4 or 5 (track A, B or C). Click on the thumbnail for a full size map.


Bretagne Région (Bretagne)

Redon avoiding line: Severac – Avessac

[fiche 04] (ERA 69A2; 43A4) FR250

Used by those trains between Nantes and Rennes not scheduled to call at Redon, nor at Angers St. Laud.

Centre Région (Centre)

Les Aubrais/Orléans Area

(ERA 70B2; 48C4) FR300

The ‘classic’ main lines from Paris to Tours and Vierzon (- Bourges/Limoges) split at Les Aubrais, north of Orléans, bypassing the city centre to the north-west and east respectively. The original main line continues southwards from Les Aubrais to Orléans, which is a terminal station. There are direct curves from Orléans west to the Tours line and east to the Vierzon line. The majority of regional services use these curves whereas there is a much thinner service over the main lines from Les Aubrais avoiding Orléans station:

  • towards La Chapelle-St.Mesmin [fiche 2.1], used by Intercités services between Paris Austerlitz and the Tours line
  • towards St.Cyr-en-Val-La-Source [fiches 1.3, 1.4], used by Intercités services between Paris Austerlitz and Vierzon or beyond.

Click on the thumbnail for a full size map.


St.Pierre-des-Corps (Poste 4) – Bifurcation de Tours [ – Monts (Indre-et-Loire)]

[fiche 2.5] (ERA 70A1, not shown; 60D3) FR301

This east <=> south curve from St. Pierre-de-Corps to the Poitiers main line is used principally by TGVs running between St-Pierre-des-Corps and Bordeaux. Local trains normally run direct between Monts and Tours, although occasional exceptions which run via St-Pierre-des-Corps (and hence use this curve) may be found on fiche 2.5.

Click on the thumbnail for a full size map.


St.Pierre-des-Corps (poste 4) – Bifurcation Grammont [ – Saumur or Chateau-du-Loir]

[fiches 2.6 and 2.8] (ERA 70A1; 60D3) FR302

This east <=> west connection bypassing Tours is used by trains running directly between St.Pierre-des-Corps and the Saumur and Château-du-Loir [- Le Mans] lines. Other trains for these lines run direct from or to Tours but some run from or to Tours via, and reversing at, St.Pierre-des-Corps.

Click on the thumbnail for a full size map


Bourges avoiding line: Marmagne – St.Florent-sur-Cher

[fiche 4.1] (ERA 74C5; 75B1) FR303

This west <=> south curve is used by trains between Vierzon and St.Florent-sur-Cher not scheduled to call at Bourges.

Bellébat turning circle (Musée des Transports de Pithiviers)

(ERA 70C2, not shown; 49A2-A3) FR304

See their website. Normally, trains arrive and depart by the long arc of the balloon loop at Bellébat. Exceptionally, the first train of the day arrives, and the last train of the day leaves, by the short arc here instead.

Champagne-Ardenne Région (Grand Est)

Raccordement Trois Puits: Champagne-Ardenne TGV – Trois Puits [ – Reims]

[fiche Navettes gare Champagne-Ardenne TGV] (ERA 71B4; 17A4-B4) FR350

This link with LGV Est is unusual in that through Paris <=> Reims TGVs (not calling at Champagne-Ardenne TGV) use it as also do non-TGV trains to make connections at Champagne-Ardenne TGV (using bay platforms there).

Raccordement direct de Chalindrey (Culmont-Chalindrey avoiding line): Andilly (Culmont-Chalindrey Bifurcation Raccordement Est) – Le Pailly (Culmont-Chalindrey Bifurcation Raccordement Sud)

(ERA 71C2; 67B1) FR17/351

Used by those TGVs between Nancy and Dijon not scheduled to call at Culmont-Chalindrey.

TGV6824 15:04/15:07 Nancy Ville - Toulouse-Matabiau (also calls Neufchâteau 15:48 on dates as advertised)
TGV6868 Toulouse-Matabiau - 11:43 Dijon Ville - Nancy Ville

Vouziers - Challerange

(ERA 71B5; 18B3) FR17/352

Used by CFT du Sud des Ardennes trains as an extension of their normal operations only during their Fête du Rail weekend - usually in mid-August. The line is owned by SNCF Réseau and, in view of the condition of the track, permission to operate had been expected to expire on 31 December 2016, so the whole operation is threatened with closure. It is possible that the train on 13 August 2016 may have been the last but definite information is awaited on whether operation will be possible in 2017.

Franche-Comté Région (Bourgogne-Franche-Comté)

Besançon-Franche-Comté TGV east curve

(ERA 72A1; 67D4) FR17/401

Used by direct TGVs between Mulhouse and Besançon Viotte. Note that trains between Besançon-Franche-Comté TGV station and Besançon Viotte use the west curve.

D TGV6837 Strasbourg Ville - 12:32 Belfort-Montbéliard TGV - Marseille St. Charles
D TGV6875 Marseille St. Charles - 16:57 Besançon-Viotte - Strasbourg Ville

Île-de-France Région (including Paris) (Île-de-France)

The LGV Interconnexion runs through the country to the east of Paris and links LGVs Nord, Est, Sud-Est and (by a connection via the southern part of the Grande Ceinture) Atlantique; it is used by all TGVs between these routes. The Petite Ceinture which ran around central Paris is mostly closed, while the Grande Ceinture, which runs round the outer suburbs, is partly closed, partly freight-only and partly used for suburban services; it only carries regular passenger services transferring from one main line to another as shown below.

St.Denis – Pantin (Villette Poste 2) (via La Chapelle Poste 6)

(ERA 66A3; 31B:A2) FR450

This is a combination of the links between the Paris Nord and Paris Est main lines via Evangile signalbox. It is used only by the weekday Calais Ville <==> Venezia SL (or elsewhere) VSOE trains as between Calais and Paris Est: visit the VSOE website for dates and times. Click on the thumbnail for a full size map.


Garges-Sarcelles (Bifurcation Pierrefitte Sud) – Noisy le Sec

(ERA 66A4-A3; 31B:A1-A2) FR451

This is a section of the Grande Ceinture circular freight route round Paris, linking the Paris Nord and Paris Est main lines. It is used only by the VSOE train between Paris Est and Calais Ville on Sunday mornings, instead of route FR450. Visit the VSOE website for dates and times. Click on the thumbnail for a full size map.


Raccordement de Lieusaint: Le Creusot-TGV (Bifurcation de Crisenoy) – Combs-la-Ville-Quincy

(ERA 66B1; 31C4-D4) FR452

This is the former northern end of the LGV Sud-Est, now little used (a few trains are routed this way for engineering works or pathing purposes) as most TGVs to and from Paris Gare-de-Lyon run via Triangle de Coubert (Bifurcation Sud – Bifurcation Ouest), joining the main line from Gare-de-Lyon at Bifurcation de Creteil, north of Villeneuve Triage.

Marne-la-Vallée-Chessy or Le Creusot-TGV (Bifurcation de Valenton) – Les Saules

(ERA 66A2; 31B:B4) FR453

This connection between LGV-Interconnexion and the Grande Ceinture is used by all TGVs between LGVs Sud-Est, Est or Nord and LGV Atlantique. Click on the thumbnail for a full size map.


Massy TGV – Chemin d'Antony (Bifurcation km 23,4)

(ERA 65C2; 31A:D4) FR454

This connection between LGV Atlantique and the Grande Ceinture is used by all TGVs between LGVs Sud Est, Est or Nord and LGV Atlantique. Click on the thumbnail for a full size map.


Paris-Bercy-Bourgogne-Pays d'Auvergne

(ERA 66A3; 31B:A2) FR455

This station is an annexe to Paris Gare-de-Lyon, being located behind carriage sidings outside the station. Relatively little use used to be made of the facility but there are now various regular services [e.g. Bourgogne fiche 09]. Trains also use the goods lines (M1 and M2) to access the station.

Paris Gare de Lyon Banlieue – Villeneuve St.Georges

(ERA 66A3-A2; 31B:A2-B4) FR456

Between the throat of Gare de Lyon and Villeneuve St.Georges there are three sets of tracks - not always following exactly the same alignment - in passenger use: 1. fast lines (1 and 2); 2. suburban or slow lines (1bis and 2bis), and 3. erstwhile goods lines (1M and 2M). The M tracks - which have platforms at most stations - have been observed being used by passenger stock but no definitive information of regular loaded workings is available - reports welcomed.

Villeneuve St.Georges – Vigneux sur Seine

(ERA 66A2; 31B:B4) FR457

Between Villeneuve St.Georges and Vigneux sur Seine there are three pairs of tracks: 1. 1B and 2B; 2. 1C and 2C, and 3. 1M and 2M. The B tracks are used by RER line D trains, the M tracks by through trains between LGVs north or east of Paris and the Orléans main line via Valenton [the last were Brive-la-Gaillarde <=> Lille TGVs withdrawn June 2016]. No definitive information of other regular loaded use is available - reports welcomed.

Vigneux sur Seine – Juvisy

(ERA 66A2; 31B:A4) FR458

Between Vigneux sur Seine and Juvisy there are two pairs of tracks: 1. 1C and 2C, and 2. 1M and 2M. The northbound track 1M crosses over the Orléans main lines and back again by two bridges north of Juvisy. The C tracks are used by RER line D trains, the M tracks by through trains between LGVs north or east of Paris and the Orléans main line via Valenton [the last were Brive-la-Gaillarde <=> Lille TGVs withdrawn June 2016] and have been observed being used by other passenger stock but no definitive information of other regular loaded use is available - reports welcomed.

Juvisy (PLM-side) – Athis-Mons (via TER tracks)

(ERA 66A2, not shown; 31B:A4, not fully shown) FR459

Through RER line C trains use Orléans-side platforms (Quais F, G and H). Juvisy RER line C turn-back trains generally use PLM-side platforms (Quai C), reached by tracks 1 TER (inbound - train codes JILL and JADE) and 2 TER (outbound via overbridge). Together, these save such trains having to make the flat crossing movement which would be necessary if Quai E were used.

Dourdan-la-Forêt

(ERA 65B1, not shown; 31A4) FR460

Dourdan-la-Forêt is a dead-ended single platform on a track parallel to the Vendôme line, used by those RER line C4 trains so advertised. No service mid July to late August.

Paris Montparnasse Vaugirard

(ERA 65C3; 31B:A2) FR461

This station is an annexe to Paris Montparnasse and comprises additional platforms adjacent to the main running lines about 0.5km from the main station, for those trains so advertised.

Versailles Chantiers – St.Cyr l'École

(ERA 65B3, not shown; 31A:C3-B3) FR462

Main line trains from Paris Montparnasse to Plaisir Grignon or beyond (including Granville line trains) do not use the main lines between Versailles and St.Cyr but a separate alignment (tracks M1/M2 - formerly freight) via Versailles-Matelots, to the north. The east end access to this route - at the west end of Versaille Chantiers - is for westbound trains to use the diveunder, from platforms G, H or J, and for eastbound trains to use the curve on the north side to the RER line C (B1/B2) tracks (rather than the diveunder); there are, however, exceptions to both these general practices.

No trains have been identified as using the flat junction (Bifurcation de Granville), just west of St.Cyr station, to gain access to the Granville line. Click on the thumbnail for a full size map.


Épluches (Bifurcation d'Épluches) – St.Ouen-l'Aumone-Liesse (Bifurcation de Liesse (Nord))

(ERA 65C5; 31A1) FR463

Some TER line H trains between Paris Nord and Persan Beaumont (usually for Beauvais or beyond) with a non-stop journey time of 35 or more minutes (instead of the normal 27-30 mins) use this route to avoid a conflicting movement on the route via Montsoult-Maffliers.

Each summer in recent years a single SSuO round trip between Paris Nord and Auvers-sur-Oise has operated via this route, advertised locally - timings for 2015: 09:38 SSuO from Paris, 18:25 SSuO return. Note that because of engineering works, revised arrangements (which may not involve the use of this route) may apply on some dates.

Raccordement de Bezons and Raccordement de la Folie: Houilles Carrières sur Seine (Bifurcation de Bezons) – Puteaux (Bifurcation de Puteaux)

(ERA 65C4-C3; 31A:D2) FR464

This west <=> south connection is an alternative to the Mantes la-Jolie - Plaisir Grignon - Versailles line during engineering work.

Raccordement de Piquettes: Mantes la-Jolie – Rosny-sur-Seine

(ERA 65A4, not shown; 30B2) FR465

This curve connects the south side of Mantes-le-Jolie station (Rouen platforms) and the Le Havre line. It may be used if a train from Paris to the Le Havre line needs to be overtaken by a fast service from Paris to the Rouen line, though this may only be necessary if the ‘slow line’ Rouen platforms are occupied by terminating trains. Any train to the Rouen line calling at platforms F to H must use the Raccordement. 850003 06:11 Paris St. Lazare to Rouen appears to be booked to use platform H, so must take this route. The compilers would welcome observations on use of this curve. Click on the thumbnail for a full size map.


Provins - Villiers-St.Georges

(ERA 71A5; 32:C4) FR466

AJECTA resumed occasional excursions over this 15 km section of SNCF freight line on 15 April 2017, as advertised.

Languedoc-Roussillon Région (Occitanie)

Raccordement de Narbonne: Lézignan (Bifurcation Raccordement Nord) – Port La Nouvelle (Bifurcation Sud)

(ERA 78C3) FR17/500

This curve avoiding Narbonne is used by two dated train pairs.

D AVE/TGV9726 Barcelona Sants - 19:56 Perpignan - Toulouse-Matabiau
D 7330/2 Cerbère - 20:44 Port la nouvelle - Toulouse-Matabiau [ - Paris Austerlitz]
D 7331/3 [Paris Austerlitz - ] Toulouse-Matabiau - 08:26 Lézignan - Port Bou
D TGV9729 Toulouse-Matabiau - 08:59 Carcassonne - Barcelona Sants

Rhône West Bank (Rive Droite) line: Givors Canal – Nîmes (Poste 1) and branches

(ERA 75C2-79C4) - see FR801

Lorraine Région (Grand Est)

Novéant – Onville

[fiches 28 and 30] (ERA 72A4; 36A1) FR550

This section of the former Paris - Metz main line has a service of trains direct between Metz and Onville (all of which are shown on fiche 30), some continuing to Bar le Duc (fiche 28) and others to Conflans-Jarny and Verdun (fiche 30).

Bouzonville – Niedaltdorf (Germany)

(ERA 72A5-B5; 20B3-C2) FR17/551

This line has no regular service but a special shuttle service has operated from Dillingen in conjunction with the Good Friday market at Bouzonville - see Germany route Niedaltdorf – Bouzonville (France). However, freight traffic ceased in 2013 on this line, of which the German section is reportedly to be sold or closed completely; despite this, Good friday specials operated in 2016 and 2017.

Sarrebourg avoiding line: Sarraltroff – Réding

[fiche 21] (ERA 72B4; 55B3) FR552

Used by 'classic' trains between Metz and Strasbourg not calling at Sarrebourg. For the other two sides of the triangle: Sarraltroff - Sarrebourg see also fiche 21 and for Sarrebourg - Réding see fiche 23. Non-stop TGVs run via LGV Est..

Raccordement de Lucy: Rémilly (Bif. km 124,255) - Lesse (Bif. km 306)

(ERA 72A4; 36C2) FR553

This north west <=> south east connection, south east of Rémilly, is used by TGVs between Luxembourg, Metz and Strasbourg transferring between the Alsace-Lorraine 'classic' line and the section of LGV Est east of here.

Raccordement de Lucy is the opposite angle from the curve which allows through running between Paris and the Alsace-Lorraine 'classic' line east of here, which formed the eastern exit from LGV Est until 2016 but which is now used only if LGV Est east of here is blocked.

Click on the thumbnail for a full size map. Pending redrawing of the map, note that the eastern and western junctions on LGV Est are both grade-separated (flyovers).


Woippy – Maizières-lès-Metz (via Woippy-Triage (west side))

[fiche 01 Metz - Luxembourg] (ERA 72A4, not shown; 20A3) FR554

Some local passenger trains are scheduled to use this route (voies 1B/2B) for pathing purposes; the actual routing is therefore particularly susceptible to the timekeeping not only of the train itself but of those around it. Likely trains can usually be distinguished in the timetable by being allowed longer between Metz Ville and Hagondange. Click on the thumbnail for a full size map.


Contournement de Metz: Metz Ville – Woippy

[fiche 01 Metz - Luxembourg] (ERA 72A4; 20A4) FR555

The original Metz - Thionville line provides an alternative route to the west of the current main line of 1908. Trains using this line arrive and depart at the south end of Metz Ville station, instead of the north. Non-stop trains booked 17 or more minutes between Metz and Hagondange or 22 or more minutes between Metz and Thionville might be expected to run this route as it is 4.5km longer than the main line. Click on the thumbnail for a full size map.


(Esch sur Alzette [Luxembourg] – ) frontier – Audun-le-Tiche

(ERA 72A5; 19C2) FR556

CFL > Télécharger les horaires > Trains nationaux > Afficher > 60c operate into France over a route not linked to French national network.

(Dudelange-Usines [Luxembourg] – ) frontier – Volmerange-les-Mines

(ERA 72A5; 19D2) FR557

CFL > Télécharger les horaires > Trains nationaux > Afficher > 60A operate into France over a route not linked to French national network.

(Lasauvage Carreau [Luxembourg] – ) frontier – Saulnes

(ERA 72A5, not shown; 19C2) FR558

Minièresbunn Doihl asbl (MBD) operates a 700mm gauge preserved mining line into France.

Nord Pas-de-Calais Région (Hauts-de-France)

Note on Dates: A number of curves in this region have been used by TER Mer summer "dated" weekend services to the coast. As the timetable information for these services is not published until the start of the summer, it is not known at the time of the December timetable change. If shown, these entries will therefore carry the previous year ("FRyy") and contain the previous summer's information until updated with the information for the current summer. From summer 2017 the programme is marketed as "éTER en Hauts-de-France", with the timings of Saturday trains here and Sunday trains here

Calais Fréthun (Bifurcation de Riviere Neuve) – Pont de Coulogne (Bifurcation de Coulogne)

[fiche 12] (ERA 67B4; 1B1) FR651

This curve avoiding Calais Ville is used in summer 2017 by "dated" weekend Lille Flandres/Arras <==> Boulogne/Wimille-Wimereux trains shown non-stop between Hazebrouck and Wimille-Wimereux. Note that this route is not used by TGVs to/from Boulogne, which reverse at Calais Fréthun. Click on the thumbnail for a full size map.


E1 SSuO 846909 Lille Flandres - 07:58 Hazebrouck - Rang-du-Fliers-Verton
E1 SSuO 846919 09:30 Lille Flandres - Boulogne Ville
E1 SSuO 846962 Boulogne Ville - 17:14 Wimille-Wimereux - Arras
E1 SSuO 846935 Rang du Fliers - 17:48 Wimille-Wimereux - Lille Flandres

E1: Runs 8, 9, 22, 23 July and 5, 6, 19, 20 August 2017.

Lambersart (Bifurcation de St.André) [A] or Lompret (Bifurcation de 4 Maisons) [B] – Santes (Bifurcation de la Tortue) [C] or Haubourdin (Bifurcation de Haubourdin) [D] (via Sequedin)

(ERA 64A3; 3B1-A1) FR652

This freight line to the west of Lille, the middle section of which passes Lille Dèlivrance Triage and Sequedin, has triangular junctions at each end (hence the title given above). Route [B] <=> [D] is used in 2017 by a summer "dated" weekend Dunkerque train. Click on the thumbnail for a full size map.


E1 SSuO 846926/27 Hirson (on 6 Aug starts Aulnoye as 846902/03) - 08:35 St Amand les Eaux - Dunkerque

E1: Runs 8, 9, 22, 23 July and 5, 6, 19, 20 August 2017.

Note that train 846924 Jeumont - Dunkerque does not take this route.

Lesquin (Bifurcation de Lesquin) – Bifurcation du Mont de Terre – Raccordement de Ronchin – Lille Porte de Douai (Bifurcation de la Justice)

(ERA 64A3; 3B1) FR653

This freight line on the south side of Lille avoids the main station area. It is common with the Bif. de Lesquin – Lille Poste 2 connection between Bif. de Lesquin and Bif. du Mont de Terre.

E1 SSuO 846926/27 Hirson (on 6 Aug starts Aulnoye as 846902/03) - 08:35 St Amand les Eaux - Dunkerque

E1: Runs 8, 9, 22, 23 July and 5, 6, 19, 20 August 2017.

Click on the thumbnail for a full size map.


Lille Flandres Avoiding Line: La Madeleine (Jonctions du Lion d'Or) – Ronchin (Bifurcation des Sourds et Mouets)

(ERA 64A3; 3B1) FR654

This freight line links the lines which diverge at the throat of Lille Flandres station. It is used by a summer "dated" weekend Dunkerque train, which ran on normal passenger lines via Béthune in 2016. Click on the thumbnail for a full size map.


E1 SSuO 846952 19:33 Dunkerque - Hirson

E1: Runs 8, 9, 22, 23 July and 5, 6, 19, 20 August 2017.

Lille Flandres Avoiding Line: La Madeleine (Jonctions du Lion d'Or) – Lille-Flandres Point Z – Lille-Europe AS

(ERA 64A3, not shown; 3B1) FR17/655

This freight line links the Lille-Flandres - Tourcoing line with the LGV Nord via the Raccordement de Becquerel, which descends alongside the Remisage de Lille Fives TGV Depot. It is common with the previous entry between Jonctions du Lion d'Or and Lille-Flandres Point Z. It is used by Ouigo TGVs between Tourcoing and Le Mans, Rennes and Lyon: visit the Ouigo website for details of services to/from Tourcoing. Part of the route is also used by TGV services from Lille Flandres to Paris and other destinations via L'Aeroport Charles de Gaulle.

Click on the thumbnail for a full size map.


Lille Flandres (Bifurcation des Sourds et Mouets) – Bifurcation du Mont de Terre – Lesquin (Bifurcation de Lesquin)

(ERA 64A3; 3B1) FR656

This freight line on the south side of Lille links the Bethune line tracks from Lille Flandres station and the Lille Avoiding Line with the Valenciennes line. It is common with the Bif. de Lesquin – Bif. de la Justice connection between Bif. du Mont de Terre and Bif. de Lesquin.

E1 SSuO 846952 19:33 Dunkerque - Hirson

E1: Runs 8, 9, 22, 23 July and 5, 6, 19, 20 August 2017.

Raccordement d'Avion: Pont de Sallaumines (Bifurcation de Sallaumines Ouest) – Avion (Bifurcation d'Avion)

(ERA 64B2; 7A1) FR657

This east <=> south curve avoiding Lens is used for diversions when the Arras - Douai line is blocked and trains are shown with extended journey time.

Raccordement de Sallaumines: Sallaumines (Bifurcation d'Epinette) – Coron de Méricourt (Bifurcation du Sallaumines)

(ERA 64B3; 7A1) FR658

This north <=> east curve avoiding Lens is used for diversions when the Lille - Douai line is blocked and trains are shown with extended journey time.

Arras Raccordement Nord: Arras (Bifurcation 199,6km) – Lille (Bifurcation 161,94km)

(ERA 64C3; 7A1) FR659

This west <=> north spur, linking Arras station with the LGV Nord-Europe to the north, is used by trains running non-stop between Arras and Lille (whether -Flandres or -Europe stations) in less than 25 minutes; trains taking 33 minutes or more use the 'classic' line via Douai.

In addition to long distance TGVs, the spur is used also by:

• two TERGV commuter trains [fiche 02] each way between Arras and Lille-Europe

• the Izy Thalys non-stop services between Bruxelles Midi and Paris Nord: visit the Izy website for details of services, which use the LGV between Brussels and Arras but the 'classic' main line south thereof. See also the Amiens avoiding line

Lourches (Poste 2) – Somain (Poste 3)

[fiche 19] (ERA 64C4; 7C1) FR17/660

This line carries one train each weekday.

SSuX 843420 Cambrai - 18:07 Lourches - Douai

It has been used by summer dated weekend Busigny <==> Cambrai <==> Calais Ville trains in the past and it is presumed (confirmation would be welcomed - particularly about the route of the Calais-bound train on Saturdays) that the equivalent trains this summer use the same route.

E1 SO 846945 Busigny - 08:07 Cambrai - Calais Ville
E1 SuO 846947 Busigny - 08:15 Cambrai - Calais Ville
E1 SSuO 846954 Calais Ville - 18:31 Douai - Busigny

E1: Runs 8, 9, 22, 23 July and 5, 6, 19,20 August 2017


On the weekend which includes the first Sunday in September each year La Braderie de Lille (a giant bric-a-brac market) is held in Lille, and some extra trains run. In 2015 the following used this line:

SO 20490 15:49 Lille Flandres - Cambrai
SO 20492 18:14 Lille Flandres - Cambrai
SO 20494 19:30 Lille Flandres - Cambrai
SO 20496 22:47 Lille Flandres - Cambrai
SuO 20446 20.28 Lille Flandres - Cambrai
SO 20522 21:26 Cambrai - Lille Flandres

Prospective users in future years should make local enquiries.

Aulnoye-Aymeries avoiding line: Berlaimont (Bifurcation de Berlaimont) – Leval (Bifurcation de Leval Est)

[fiche 17] (ERA 68A1; 8B2) FR661

This line, which passes to the south of Aulnoye-Aymeries station, is used by two Monday to Friday Hirson <==> Lille round trips not scheduled to call at Aulnoye-Aymeries.

It is also used by summer dated services in summer 2017:

E1 SSuO 846926 Hirson - 07:53 Avesnes - Dunkerque
E2 SSuO 846952 Dunkerque - 21:07 Valenciennes - Hirson

E1: Runs 8, 9, 22, 23 July and 5, 19, 20 August 2017 (note: not 6 August)

E2: Runs 8, 9, 22, 23 July and 5, 6, 19, 20 August 2017.

Pays-de-la-Loire Région (Pays-de-la-Loire)

Virgule de Sablé-sur-Sarthe: Laval (SEI 75 Auvers) - Sablé-sur-Sarthe

[fiche L28] FR680

(Opened 2 July 2017) Provides a west <=> south link between LGV BPL and the 'classic' line at Sablé-sur-Sarthe, enabling TER trains to run direct between [Rennes - ] Laval - Angers [ - Nantes]. This is the third side of a triangular junction - the other two sides are used by TGV trains between Paris and Nantes or Rennes, respectively, when not stopping at Le Mans.

Picardie Région (Hauts-de-France)

Amiens avoiding line: Boves (Bifurcation de Longueau Sud) – Lamotte Brebière (Bifurcation de Camon)

(ERA 67C1  ; 6B4-C4) FR700

This curve is used by:

• the Izy Thalys non-stop services between Bruxelles Midi and Paris Nord: visit the Izy website for details of services, which use the LGV between Brussels and Arras but the 'classic' main line south thereof. See also the Arras Raccordement Nord

• the [London Victoria <==>] Calais Ville <==> Venezia SL VSOE train as between Calais and Paris Est: visit the VSOE website for dates and times.

Barreau de Jussy (Mennessis avoiding line): Jussy (Bifurcation de Flavy-le-Martel) – Montescourt (Bifurcation Jussy)

[fiche 4] (ERA 71A5; 16B1) FR701

This curve connects the Chaulnes - Tergnier and St.Quentin - Tergnier lines north of Mennessis. Trains between Amiens and St.Quentin not scheduled to call at Tergnier use this line.

Ormoy-Villers – Bifurcation Ageux – (a) Longueil-Ste.Marie or (b) Le-Meux-Croix-St.Ouen (Bifurcation Rivecourt)

[fiches 06 and 12] (ERA 70C4-C5; 15D4-D3) FR702

This electrified line connects the Paris Nord - Laon and Creil - St.Quentin lines, with a triangular junction at the north end. It is used only when the following diversions are advertised:

  • (a) between Paris and Laon (with reversal at Ormoy-Villers) where extended journey times and bus substitution south of Ormoy-Villers apply [fiche 06]
  • (b) between Paris and Compiègne or beyond when shown non-stop with a journey time of circa 51+ minutes (instead of the normal 40 minutes) [fiche 12]. This applies until 27 August 2017 to those trains meeting the criterion as shown in Fiche 12.

Poitou-Charente Région (Nouvelle Aquitaine)

Raccordement Juillé and Raccordement Villognon (north of Angoulême)

(ERA 73C3, not shown correctly - see this schematic plan instead) FR725

These two links north of Angoulême between LGV SEA and the 'classic' line are about 7.25km apart but function as a single grade separated junction. The more northerly raccordement (Juillé) is normally used by northbound TGVs serving Angoulême and the more southerly (Villognon) by southbound TGVs. These came into service 2 July 2017.

Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur [PACA] Région (Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur)

Raccordement Grand Sud: Avignon TGV (Bifurcation Km 624,0/624,2) – Manduel-Redessan (Suze SEI71 (Bifurcation Km 5,2))

(ERA 79C4) FR17/750

The third side of the Triangle des Angles, west of Avignon TGV station, is used only by direct TGVs/AVEs between Marseille and Nîmes or beyond.

D AVE9731 Marseille St Charles - 08:45 Avignon TGV - Madrid Puerta de Atocha
D AVE9724 Madrid Puerta de Atocha - 20:25 Nîmes - Marseille St Charles

L'Estaque – Marseille St.Charles

[fiche 07] (ERA 79B3-B2) FR751

Trains between Marseille St. Charles and L'Estaque [- Miramas] calling at Arenc-Euroméditerranée use this route; the trains may use lines on either side of Marseille Maritime Arenc yard (north of Arenc-Euroméditerranée station) which are reversible. All other trains between Marseille and L'Estaque or beyond use the main line.

Raccordement des Chartreux: St.Berthelmy – Marseille Blancarde

[fiche 07] (ERA 79B2) FR17/752

This curve bypassing Marseille St. Charles to the north is used by TGVs to/from Toulon and beyond not calling at Marseille St.Charles, and by the following local services:

D1 SSuX 881700 Toulon - 07:36 Marseille-Blancarde - Miramas
D1 SSuX 881702 Toulon - 08:40 Marseille-Blancarde - Miramas
D1 SSuX 881707 Avignon - 17:28 L'Estaque - Toulon
D1 SSuX 881709 Miramas - 18:09 L'Estaque - Toulon

D1: Not during annual holidays 17 December 2016 - 2 January 2017 and 1 July - 27 August 2017.

Rhône-Alpes Région (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes)

Rhône West Bank (Rive Droite) line: Givors Canal – Nîmes (Poste 1) and branches

[the southern portion of this line is in Languedoc-Roussillon Région (Occitanie)]

[fiche 05] (ERA 75C2-79C4) FR17/800

This line runs parallel with the Lyon to Montpellier main line between Givors and Nîmes, though mostly on the opposite bank of the River Rhône, principally as a freight and diversionary route. There are intermediate links between the two routes at St.Rambert d'Albon, Livron and Avignon Centre, and few passenger trains run the full length of the West Bank line. The line is used fairly regularly by passenger trains diverted for engineering work. Certain diverted trains can be identified when they are advertised to call at St.Péray or Le Teil (such calls may appear in Rhône-Alpes fiche 05). These stations are on the West Bank line, and are retained so that passengers may board or alight from diverted trains near Valence and Montélimar, respectively.

For such diversions, readers should check for themselves by means of the TER Rhône-Alpes website, fiche 05 and its associated engineering work notices.

The following sections of route are used from time to time.

  • (a) Givors Canal – St.Rambert d'Albon

Look for extended running times and omitted Vienne stops but no St.Péray stops.


  • (b) Givors Canal – Livron (via St.Péray)

Look for omitted Vienne and Tain l'Hermitage stops but still calling at Valence

  • (c) Givors Canal – Loriol (Livron south junction) (via St.Péray)

Look for St.Péray stops but not calling at Vienne or Valence

  • (d) Givors Canal – Avignon Centre

Look for St.Péray and Le Teil stops but omitted Vienne stops and still calling at Avignon Centre

  • (e) Givors Canal – Nîmes (Poste 1) (via Remoulins)

Look for St.Péray and Le Teil stops and omitted Vienne stops but running direct to Nîmes without calling at Avignon Centre

  • (f) Salaise (St.Rambert d'Albon north junction) – Livron (via St.Péray)

Look for St.Péray stops and still calling at Valence

  • (g) Salaise (St.Rambert d'Albon north junction) – Loriol (Livron south junction) (via St.Péray)

Look for St.Péray stops but still calling at Vienne

  • (h) Salaise (St.Rambert d'Albon north junction) – Avignon Centre (via Le Teil)

Look for St.Péray and Le Teil stops but still calling at Avignon Centre

  • (i) Salaise (St.Rambert d'Albon north junction) – Nîmes (Poste 1) (via Remoulins)

Look for St.Péray and Le Teil stops but running direct to Nîmes without calling at Avignon Centre

  • (j) Livron – Avignon Centre (via Le Teil)

Look for Le Teil stops

  • (k) Livron – Nîmes (Poste 1) (via Remoulins)

Look for Le Teil stops but running direct to Nîmes without calling at Avignon Centre

  • (l) Avignon Centre – Nîmes (Poste 1) (via Remoulins)

Look for trains which normally call at Tarascon but where those stops are omitted - see Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur fiche 11 bis

Ambérieu avoiding line: Ambronay-Priay – Torcieu

(ERA 75C3) FR801

Used by TGVs between Bourg-en-Bresse and Aix-les-Bains-le-Revard not scheduled to call at Ambérieu.

Culoz avoiding line: Seyssel-Corbonod – Vions-Chanaz (Bifurcation de Chambéry

[fiche 51] (ERA 76A3) FR802

Used by trains between Bellegarde and Aix-les-Bains-le-Revard not scheduled to call at Culoz.

Raccordement Valence TGV - Sillon Alpin Sud: east - south connection at Valence TGV

(ERA 75C1) FR803

This east <=> south curve between the Grenoble - Valence line and LGV Méditerranée - via Valence TGV platform 5 - is used by TGVs running between Grenoble and points south on the LGV Méditerranée. One train each way between Marseille St. Charles and Annecy ran at weekends in July and August 2016. Details for 2017 were not available at December 2016. It is the opposite angle from the grade-separated Raccordement de Saint-Marcel-lès-Valence which allows through running between Valence and points north via LGV Sud Est.

Click on the thumbnail for a full size map.


Trams

See France - Tram services over obscure routes

Other sparse services

Away from the LGVs and main lines to and from Paris, SNCF provide some of the least frequent services in Europe on their cross-country, secondary and tertiary lines. To list those with a poorer frequency than might be expected elsewhere would be tedious. However, the following lines have - on several working days of the week - no more than a single round trip, or have no service on some working days, or are restricted to seasonal or "dated" service. Careful study of the Régional TER fiches is therefore strongly recommended. "Better service" may still be limited compared to standards elsewhere.

Readers should also take particular notice of lines listed as Particularly Threatened

Alsace Région (Grand Est)

fiche 08* Saales - St.Dié-des-Vosges *(fiche Strasbourg Saales St.Dié Epinal). Better service at weekends

Aquitaine Région (Nouvelle Aquitaine)

fiche 33 Le Verdon - Pointe-de-Grave Summer service only

Auvergne Région (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes)

fiches 66, 81 Neussargues - St Chély-d'Apcher

Basse-Normandie Région (Normandie)

fiche Paris - Dives-Cabourg Trouville-Deauville - Dives-Cabourg Summer service plus winter weekends

Bourgogne Région (Bourgogne-Franche-Comté)

fiche 08 Clamecy - Corbigny

Bretagne Région (Bretagne)

fiche 09 Retiers - Châteaubriant Better service at weekends
fiche 23 Morlaix - Roscoff Better service at weekends and most of year
fiche - Auray - Quiberon Summer service only

Languedoc-Roussillon Région (Occitanie)

fiches 13, 14 Mende - Le Monastier-Pin-Moriès [ - Marvejols]

Limousin Région (Nouvelle Aquitaine)

fiches 9, 10 Busseau-sur-Creuse - Felletin

Lorraine Région (Grand Est)

fiche 02 Thionville – Apach – frontier (– Perl [Germany]) Weekend service only
fiche 03 Thionville – Bouzonville This route had one train each way on Mondays to Fridays only until replaced by a bus from April 2016 owing to a shortage of guards; no resumption date has been announced.

Poitou-Charentes Région (Nouvelle Aquitaine)

fiche 14 Bressuire - Chantonnay Better service on summer weekends

Deletions since previous edition

FR2 Contournement de Mulhouse and Raccordement de Dornach: Mulhouse Dornach – Rixheim (via Mulhouse Nord) No reports of use for many years
FR17/3 Mulhouse-Dornach – Brunstatt Merged into FR17/1 to form new combined entry entitled Mulhouse
FR51 Le Verdon - Pointe-de-Grave Moved to Other sparse services as it is 'seasonal' rather than 'obscure'
FR150 Trouville-Deauville - Dives-Cabourg Moved to Other sparse services as it is 'seasonal' rather than 'obscure'
FR200 Saincaize avoiding line: La Guerche-sur-l'Aubois – Nevers Now used by all regular trains between Bourges and Nevers
FR201 a,b and c Dijon Perrigny and Gevrey Triages (Marshalling Yards): ground level routes All "classic" loco-hauled trains which might have used these diversionary routes have been withdrawn. Routes (d) and (e) subsumed within remaining entry.
FR207 Mâcon raccordement nord: Mâcon (Bifurcation km 442,426) – Mâcon-Loché south junction Superseded by general note about LGV spurs
FR208 Mâcon raccordement sud: Mâcon-Loché TGV – Creches (Bifurcation km 445,296) Superseded by general note about LGV spurs
FR251 Auray - Quiberon Moved to Other sparse services as it is 'seasonal' rather than 'obscure'
FR350 Epernay avoiding line: Ay – Châlons-en-Champagne (Epernay east junction) No non-stop trains have been identified in recent years and it is unlikely there have been any since the opening of LGV Est
FR16/453 Garges-Sarcelles (Bifurcation Pierrefitte Sud) – Villeneuve St.Georges (Poste 3) (via Bobigny GC) All "classic" loco-hauled Lourdes pilgrimage specials have ceased
FR16/454 Garges-Sarcelles (Bifurcation Pierrefitte Sud) – Savigny sur Orge (Bifurcation de St.Martin) (via Bobigny GC) All "classic" loco-hauled Lourdes pilgrimage specials have ceased
FR455 Chenay-Gagny – Savigny sur Orge (Bifurcation de St.Martin) (via Valenton) All "classic" loco-hauled Lourdes pilgrimage specials have ceased
FR456 Raccordements LN6 (LGV Est) – LN-I (LGV-Interconnexion) (Claye-Souilly) Superseded by general note about LGV spurs
FR457 Triangle de Coubert north curve: Les Saules (Triangle de Coubert Bifurcation Ouest) – Marne-la-Vallée-Chessy (Triangle de Coubert Bifurcation Nord) Superseded by general note about LGV spurs
FR466 Orly Ville – Valenton (via Juvisy Faisceau de rebroussement [yard] (reverse), MVP flyover, M1/M2 tracks and Villeneuve St.Georges) Virtually impossible to know about these diversions in advance
FR467 Orly Ville – Juvisy (Sud-est side) (via TAC flyover) Virtually impossible to know about these diversions in advance
FR472 Épluches (Bifurcation de Liesse (Sud)) – Eragny Neuville (Jonction d'Eragny) No reports of diversions for several years, and little likelihood of any
FR473 Eragny Neuville (Bifurcation de Conflans) – Conflans Pont Eiffel (Bifurcation de Neuville) No reports of diversions for several years, and little likelihood of any
FR474 Raccordement d'Epône: Aubergenville Elisabethville (Bifurcation de la Butte des Graviers) – Nezel Aulnay (Bifurcation des Etumiérs) All "classic" trains via the Grande Ceinture have ceased
FR475 Raccordement des Ambassadeurs: Poissy Talbot (Bifurcation des Ambassadeurs) – Achères Ville (Bifurcation d' Achères Ville) All "classic" trains via the Grande Ceinture have ceased
FR550 Raccordement de Frouard: Pompey (Raccordement Est) – Liverdun (Raccordement Sud) Little or no likelihood of use following opening of the LGV Est
FR552 Lérouville east chord: Commercy (Raccordement Sud) – Onville (Raccordement Est) Little or no likelihood of use following opening of the LGV Est
FR553 Raccordement direct de Toul: Foug (Toul Poste 1, Bifurcation Ligne 1/Racc.) – Domgermain (Toul Poste 1, Bifurcation Raccordement Sud) Little or no likelihood of use following opening of the LGV Est
FR555 Thionville – Apach – frontier (– Perl [Germany]) Moved to Other sparse services as it is not 'obscure'.
FR556 Thionville – Bouzonville – Hargarten-Falck – Béning No reports of diversions for several years, and little likelihood of any. The Thionville - Bouzonville section has been transferred to Other Sparse services section
FR16/556A Thionville – Hayange (Bif. de Florange) All Longuyon trains now run this way, so no longer obscure or sparse
FR558A Raccordement de Herny: Lorraine TGV (SEI de Beaudrecourt) – Faulquemont (Bif. Km 4.4)[edit] Superseded by general note about LGV spurs
FR561 Raccordement de Metz Sablon: Peltre – Ars-sur-Moselle No longer any non-TGV/ICE trains which might be diverted this way
FR16/600 Toulouse Poste 4, Bifurcation de Capdenac – Route de Launaguet – Lalande Eglise Two halts on 'obscure' section deleted from timetable fiche at Dec 2016 timetable change
FR650 Calais Fréthun (low level platforms) – Lille Europe (PRCI 51) Superseded by general note about LGV spurs
FR652 Dunkerque Ville – Grande Synthe (Poste 5, Bifurcation Vandenbrouck) (via Dunkerque Dunes / Docks) No diversions for some time and passenger trains are now banned
FR653 Raccordement de Cassel: Lille Europe (PRCI 44 Hondeghem) – Cassel (Bifurcation de Cassel) The usage of this raccordement is obvious from the general principles and doesn't need explanation
FR656 Hellemmes (Bifurcation des Ateliers Est) – Raccordement de Lezennes – Bifurcation du Mont de Terre – Bifurcation des Sourds et Mouets – Lille Poste 2 Use has ceased; no trains by this route since December 2014
FR750 Raccordement Ouest de Bollène-Lamotte du Rhône: Avignon-TGV (km 581,6) – Bollène-la-Croisière (km 691,8) Little or no likelihood of diversions
FR751 Raccordement Est de Bollène-Lamotte du Rhône: Valence-TGV (Lapalud LGV km 578,4) – Bollène-la-Croisière (km 693,5) No Eurostar service by this route since August 2014 as they now run to Avignon TGV
FR752 Raccordement d'Avignon: Sorgues-Chateauneuf-du-Pape (Bifurcation km 739) – Avignon Sud (Bifurcation Poste 1) Little or no likelihood of diversions without calling at Avignon Centre
FR800 Héyrieux – Valence (Grenay PRS44, Bifurcation Lyon) Superseded by general note about LGV spurs

Deletions from Other Sparse Services section

Auvergne Région Clermont-Ferrand - Volvic now more than one train on weekdays
Centre Région Reignac - Loches now more than one train on weekdays
Midi-Pyrénées Région Rodez - Sévérac-le-Château now more than one train on weekdays
Rhône-Alpes Région Brion-Montréal-La Cluse - Oyonnax - St.Claude now more than one train on weekdays [Oyonnax - St.Claude section will close from December 2017]
Rhône-Alpes Région Thiers - Montbrison service withdrawn (part possibly temporarily) - see General Information section

See also