SNCF new idea for branch lines

[whole diary]

[Jamsdad]

SNCF^▸ (Societe Nationale des Chemins de fer Francais - French National Railways) are proposing an innovative minibus road rail vehicle for little used branch lines.

See the link here
https://www.presse-citron.net/la-sncf-lance-flexy-une-navette-etrange-a-mi-chemin-entre-le-train-et-la-voiture/

[infoman]

Do the French celebrate all fools day?

[ellendune]

Do the French celebrate all fools day?

Yes

poisson d'avril

[stuving]

Do the French celebrate all fools day?

Yes

poisson d'avril

They do, though my impression is that they tend to be rather clumsy, and veering more towards the practical joke. But there are some better ones - like this year's from the Gendarmerie des Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, announcing the formation of a cat handler's section.

And of course the French claim they invented the whole idea - in 1564, when the date of new year was moved from 1st April.

[Jamsdad]

I thought this was an April Fool but it’s part of an SNCF^▸ (Societe Nationale des Chemins de fer Francais - French National Railways) initiative announced on 22March. So unbelievably perhaps it is true!

[stuving]

I thought this was an April Fool but it’s part of an SNCF^▸ (Societe Nationale des Chemins de fer Francais - French National Railways) initiative announced on 22March. So unbelievably perhaps it is true!

There's stuff from earlier than that too. Here's one in English, from Byri.net (who?):

The experiment will begin in 2024. It will involve the development of platforms allowing the passage from rail to road (and vice versa), but also that a shuttle can park there in order to avoid a collision with a another arriving in the opposite direction.

Flexy shuttles are designed and manufactured by the French company Milla. It is an evolution of the Milla Pod, an autonomous vehicle unveiled in 2019. The adaptation to mixed road-rail use involves the companies Michelin and Railenium.

So it may be a silly idea, at least in the practical sense. More of a conecpt, perhaps. What's in it for SNCF? A way to use the little branch line they want to shut, that does not involve running any trains? If so, why do they keep the rails?

[Jamsdad]

The rails are often left due to the immense political pressure exerted by French local and regional government on SNCF^▸ (Societe Nationale des Chemins de fer Francais - French National Railways).

[stuving]

The rails are often left due to the immense political pressure exerted by French local and regional government on SNCF^▸ (Societe Nationale des Chemins de fer Francais - French National Railways).

So far they have, yes. But what I mean was why do they intend to keep them if it means developing a road/rail version of this Milla Pod thing? It would be easier (i.e. cheaper) to use the standard version, perhaps made to run faster, over a reserved paved route.

[Mark A]

Off-topic but omg there's now a velorail operation over Le Viaduc de Fades...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTp1EV8rQGw

https://en.tourisme-combrailles.fr/fades-electric-velorail-les-ancizes-comps.html

Mark