France (Pays de Loire) - Lines with Obscure or Sparse passenger services
From EGTRE
Obscure Services
Sablé-sur-Sarthe Triangle
[fiche Ligne 28] (ERA 27B2; 45C4) FR19/680
This triangular junction provides a link southwards from the LGV BPL to the 'classic' Le Mans - Angers [ - Nantes] line at Sablé-sur-Sarthe.
- The east <=> south curve (Raccordement de Sablé-sur-Sarthe) enables TGVs to run between Paris and Angers [ - Nantes]. This curve is used by all such trains which do NOT call at Le Mans. However, it appears that the majority of TGVs which call at Le Mans, or perhaps all such trains, use the ‘classic’ line between Le Mans and Angers. The only train which was identified as running via the Raccordement in 2018, as it overtook a preceding TER, no longer does so. The compilers would greatly appreciate reports of any TGVs taking this route between Le Mans and Angers.
- The west <=> south curve (Virgule de Sablé-sur-Sarthe: Laval (SEI 75 Auvers) - Sablé-sur-Sarthe) enables TER trains to run direct between [Rennes - ] Laval and Angers [ - Nantes].
