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Dominic Stucki @dominicstucki@urbanists.social · Jul 28, 2026

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And with a beautiful soft light, the day faded away. #LaFranceTractée

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Dominic Stucki @dominicstucki@urbanists.social · Jul 28, 2026

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P comme puissance. #LaFranceTractée

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Dominic Stucki @dominicstucki@urbanists.social · Jul 28, 2026

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And this RRR passed not a single minute too early! Enter: Clouds! ☁️ (dramatic sound) I made a classic rookie mistake: Only checking the weather *at* the spot, but not a few dozen kilometres away towards the sun. #LaFranceTractée

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Dominic Stucki @dominicstucki@urbanists.social · Jul 28, 2026

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Finally: RRR and Nez Cassé. 😊 Nope, not to the scrapyard, this is a completely normal slow TER service Saverne-Strasbourg-Sélestat. Full livrée fléau, but this applies, as far as I'm aware, to every single RRR left in Grand-Est. #LaFranceTractée

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Dominic Stucki @dominicstucki@urbanists.social · Jul 28, 2026

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What makes me particularly nervous about the future of old Grand-Est stock are these ugly blue blobs here, the 30 cross-border Régiolis. As long as they're not used on the #CrossBorderRail lines they were bought for (and for me, it's impossible to tell whether they ever will be), SNCF deploys them on domestic diagrams, where they replace older stock. And with nearly 30 units (a few are in service to Offenburg), you can replace quite a lot. #LaFranceTractée

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Dominic Stucki @dominicstucki@urbanists.social · Jul 28, 2026

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I probably did start this Alsace focus a few years too late... The TER200, once pristine Corail rakes in the colourful Alsace livery, are now a mess of different designs and many coaches are covered in graffiti - or as I call it - the "livrée TER fléau". But their future is quite nebulous (no replacement in sight, but Castex himself was here to address the local's complaints!), so better make the best out of it. #LaFranceTractée

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Dominic Stucki @dominicstucki@urbanists.social · Jul 28, 2026

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They qualify for #LaFranceTractée as they are pulled and pushed by a class BB 22200 at the Strasbourg end, which "SNCF connect" oddly still shows in TER Sud livery. In reality, they sport the TER Fluo livery with the mandatory graffiti tags. Anyway, it shuttled me to Benfeld, quick stop at the Intermarché for essential French grocery shopping and then off to the line.

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Dominic Stucki @dominicstucki@urbanists.social · Jul 28, 2026

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At the end of my recent France trip, I assumed the 22200+RRR consists went into summer break just like the 67400 on the St-Dié line. Turns out it was just a heatwave break! Off to Sélestat to carry out the original plans from two weeks ago. #LaFranceTractée

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Dominic Stucki @dominicstucki@urbanists.social · Jul 28, 2026

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As I managed to secure the rest of the photos from the corrupted CF card and as my next France trip this weekend won't happen as the line literally went up in flames, here's a bit more from last week's #LaFranceTractée extra evening. Reason for the short trip: The RRR are back! 😃 Prenez garde à la fermeture automatique des portes, attention au départ!

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Dominic Stucki @dominicstucki@urbanists.social · Jul 26, 2026

Schon krass, dass meine vier Velokilometer zum Hauptbahnhof am Sonntagmorgen um 8 einfach locker 50% schneller zurückgelegt werden können also wochentags um 8. Und damit eine kleine Erinnerung, dass es Ampeln nur braucht, weil ein Verkehrsmittel soviel gefährlicher ist, als alle anderen. #Autokorrektur

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Dominic Stucki @dominicstucki@urbanists.social · Jul 25, 2026

Seit Juni will ich für ein Foto nach Südwest-Frankreich.

Versuch: Hitzewelle > 40°. Abgesagt.
Versuch 2 Wochen später: Hitzewelle, 40°. Abgesagt.
Versuch, wieder zwei Wochen später: TGV wegen Hitze-Folgeschäden gestrichen. Abgesagt.
Versuch, nächstes Wochenende: Prognose Hitzewelle > 40°.

Was ist das eigentlich für eine verd*** Kacksch*** von Sommer?! 🤬

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Dominic Stucki @dominicstucki@urbanists.social · Jul 23, 2026

#LaFranceTractée, extra evening! 😁 Finally, TER 200!

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Dominic Stucki @dominicstucki@urbanists.social · Jul 17, 2026

TIL dass Interrail-Reservationen bei TGV Lyria für innerfranzösische Reisen wie bei normalen TGV "nur" 12 Euro kosten. Die 31-Euro-Abzocke gilt nur, wenn die Schweizer Grenze überquert wird! 🤬

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Dominic Stucki @dominicstucki@urbanists.social · Jul 15, 2026

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Mes amis, that was #LaFranceTractée. 11 days chasing the last loco hauled trains in France - the last remnants of an era, which is nearly gone. Thank you for reading, sharing and discussing. And as I love this country and its railways so much, I'm not done with this theme yet. To be continued - à plus! 💙🤍❤️

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Dominic Stucki @dominicstucki@urbanists.social · Jul 15, 2026

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A last Corail ride through the evening, a last night in France. #LaFranceTractée

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Dominic Stucki @dominicstucki@urbanists.social · Jul 15, 2026

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And then, a minute or so before sunset, a freight train in the right direction! 🤯 Finally, the first one since Dormans on the very first evening on this trip! But sadly, this also was the photo spot of #LaFranceTractée.

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Dominic Stucki @dominicstucki@urbanists.social · Jul 15, 2026

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There is another bridge further down the valley. The sun was already dangerously close to the treetops, when SNCF finally sent a Corail. Even with a TER Alsace liveried carriage just behind the loco. 😊 #LaFranceTractée

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Dominic Stucki @dominicstucki@urbanists.social · Jul 15, 2026

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I absolutely love these voies vertes along the French canals. No cars, flat, often good asphalt and almost always in beautiful surroundings. 😍 #LaFranceTractée

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Dominic Stucki @dominicstucki@urbanists.social · Jul 15, 2026

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Encore! 😁 It was heavenly cool and quiet at the Canal de la Marne au Rhin in the Zorn valley, cut deep into the Voges mountains. Except for the short moment, when a Sybic crossed the viaduct, working an evening peak TER to Metz. #LaFranceTractée

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Dominic Stucki @dominicstucki@urbanists.social · Jul 15, 2026

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I. Don't. Like. TGV. ❌ Why are they always such mess? 🙄 Boarding at Gare de l'Est 30 mins delayed and absolutely chaotic. But finally I got my high speed coffee and soon after arrived in Strasbourg. A very fast shopping at the nearest Carrefour und then a sprint to track 30. Wait, that's not the track for Basel... 🤨 #LaFranceTractée

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Dominic Stucki @dominicstucki@urbanists.social · Jul 15, 2026

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And then: Off towards home. Interesting trains in Nogent and Paris Gare de l'Est, where I missed my TGV. Not enough time buffer for 25 mins delay on arrival at Montparnasse and Métro 4 being out of service. Rebooking on the next one luckily wasn't an issue on a Thursday at noon. #LaFranceTractée

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Dominic Stucki @dominicstucki@urbanists.social · Jul 15, 2026

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Small town France. 🥰 #LaFranceTractée

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Dominic Stucki @dominicstucki@urbanists.social · Jul 14, 2026

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At the level crossing. #LaFranceTractée

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Dominic Stucki @dominicstucki@urbanists.social · Jul 14, 2026

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«We will créer un réseau de bus for our belle ville de Nogent. Messieurs, I want to 'ear propositions pour le brand!» — «No Bus» «Génial!» Apparently, a later maire did speak English and they changed it. #LaFranceTractée

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Dominic Stucki @dominicstucki@urbanists.social · Jul 14, 2026

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Prochain arrêt: Nogent-le-Rotrou. #LaFranceTractée

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Dominic Stucki @dominicstucki@urbanists.social · Jul 14, 2026

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And then, for the last time on this trip, the lovely grey-orange combination that is the livrée béton shimmered in the distance and the unmistakable singing of a Corail train at speed filled the air. 🥰 #LaFranceTractée

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Dominic Stucki @dominicstucki@urbanists.social · Jul 14, 2026

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The second Corail of the day would have passed perfectly after sunrise. But remember, it was still cancelled. Instead, this construction train, very probably from tonight's track works around Maintenon, 80 km away (!), passed from behind. #LaFranceTractée

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Dominic Stucki @dominicstucki@urbanists.social · Jul 14, 2026

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The brutal ringing of a French level crossing bell cut through the morning's silence like a sharp knife. Bright LED lights appeared in the distance. And it was the fantôme! Very good! 😊 #LaFranceTractée

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Dominic Stucki @dominicstucki@urbanists.social · Jul 14, 2026

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But not before another photo! ☝️ Assuming that the locos stay on their trains from yesterday evening, one of the two Corail should be lead by a "béton"! But the sun rises late in the west, 06:10 only. Which would mean the first train would pass without light - 50% chance that it's not the "béton". 😬 But first: An AGC. #LaFranceTractée

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Dominic Stucki @dominicstucki@urbanists.social · Jul 14, 2026

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The next day started how the last one ended. With beautiful light and way too high temperatures. And the forecast was, that it would only get worse. I decided that this would be sadly be the last day of #LaFranceTractée.

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Dominic Stucki @dominicstucki@urbanists.social · Jul 13, 2026

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21:30, sunset in Nogent-le-Rotrou. Even if you wouldn't know, you can somehow tell that this has been an extraordinarily hot day by this insane colour of the light. 🥰 #LaFranceTractée

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Dominic Stucki @dominicstucki@urbanists.social · Jul 13, 2026

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No use to wait, the light would've been gone when the last Corail of the evening would pass an hour later. So I ended my first short visit to the Normandie and took a train back to Nogent, where the last Corail arrived delayed, just minutes after the last bit of sunlight was gone. #LaFranceTractée

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Dominic Stucki @dominicstucki@urbanists.social · Jul 13, 2026

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It was a bit tricky with the long shadows, though. The point where I'd liked to have the loco to still have a good view on the building was already in the dark, so I had to adapt. Or is this version better? I can't decide, what do you think? That one or the one from the post above? 🤔 #LaFranceTractée

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Dominic Stucki @dominicstucki@urbanists.social · Jul 13, 2026

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My destination was the small station of Condé-sur-Huisne. The fast trains aren't stopping here but I thought, it would make a nice backdrop for a Corail train. And after many fantôme liveried locos the last days, SNCF even sent a "béton"! 😍 #LaFranceTractée

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Dominic Stucki @dominicstucki@urbanists.social · Jul 13, 2026

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36° in Nogent-le-Rotrou. 🥵 But it wasn't significantly cooler in my AirBnB without air con. So I could go for an evening bike ride as well. 10 km mostly in the shade of forests and across a tiny little footbridge across river Huisne. Again: This country is so beautiful! 😍 #LaFranceTractée

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Dominic Stucki @dominicstucki@urbanists.social · Jul 13, 2026

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I avoided the crowded TER 2NNG on the fast service to Le Mans. I usually like these trains, but they're not great for the bike as they lack good luggage space. Instead, I took the later stopping service with a Pays de Loire AGC. As two days ago, it was nearly empty. #LaFranceTracté

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Dominic Stucki @dominicstucki@urbanists.social · Jul 13, 2026

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This line seemed to be a particularly difficult one. But it felt like I still had unfinished business here. So I quickly booked an accommodation further down the line and hoped, that things would turn to normal later that day. Around noon, most services were back and running. #LaFranceTractée

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Dominic Stucki @dominicstucki@urbanists.social · Jul 13, 2026

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I have no idea what you do as a French commuter in this case, when you just can't get to work. In my case, the question was less difficult. Sleep in and then off to the next Boulangerie. 😋 #LaFranceTractée

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Dominic Stucki @dominicstucki@urbanists.social · Jul 13, 2026

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Another 5:00 alarm the next day to catch the train to... Oh, never mind. 😬 Closure of this busy commuter line in the morning peak until 10! No replacement busses, of course. Allegedly due to track works not finished in time. But there were rumours online that a work train derailed. It meant no photo anyway. #LaFranceTractée

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Dominic Stucki @dominicstucki@urbanists.social · Jul 12, 2026

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Hotel room with a view. 😍 #LaFranceTractée

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Dominic Stucki @dominicstucki@urbanists.social · Jul 12, 2026

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Quick visit at the station in the evening. I have to say, Centre-Val-de-Loire does many things right when it comes to trains. Frequent trains, long double deck rolling stock, good information and here in Chartres, they even built a 2nd entrance to the station. No gate nonsense, just stairs down from the bridge. #LaFranceTractée

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Dominic Stucki @dominicstucki@urbanists.social · Jul 12, 2026

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Back at the station of "Saint.Piat", erm, I mean Saint-Piat. Is full stop instead of hyphen correct French? High clouds started to cover the sky and it was getting hot: Retreat to Chartres, continuing my comprehensive comparison of the Boulangeries in town. 😁 #LaFranceTractée

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Dominic Stucki @dominicstucki@urbanists.social · Jul 12, 2026

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Also 👀 @jon@gruene.social, @sebwilken@mastodon.social ☝️: @larstransportworld@mastodon.social did, what the railway companies didn't manage: Putting together a cross border timetable for Stockholm - Haparanda - Helsinki.

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Dominic Stucki @dominicstucki@urbanists.social · Jul 12, 2026

RE: https://mastodon.social/@larstransportworld/116905784168662116 Damnit! Are we sure that this is not the Spanish-French border? Usually, only SNCF and RENFE would manage to mess up connections so badly. The best is, that 269/403 has an hour wait in Oulu and then misses the connection in Haparanda by 5 minutes. Seriously, what's that?! 🤬

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Dominic Stucki @dominicstucki@urbanists.social · Jul 12, 2026

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Special mention for this absolutely lovely old bus stop sign with the old logo of the Eure-et-Loire département. #LaFranceTractée

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Dominic Stucki @dominicstucki@urbanists.social · Jul 12, 2026

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Phew... 1 Nez Cassé planned, 3 Nez Cassé done. Not bad for 8 o'clock. It was a quiet morning, but already getting hot rather quickly. Time for the second best thing of morning photo adventures: 🥐 Off to the next Boulangerie, which again was in a ridiculously quaint village down at the river. This is such an insanely beautiful country! 😍 #LaFranceTractée

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Dominic Stucki @dominicstucki@urbanists.social · Jul 12, 2026

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On my way to the station, when suddenly...:👂Am I hearing a Corail approaching in the distance?! 🤨 Sprint to a spot without lineside bushes and: A Corail! 🤯 Wait, did they really send the third, cancelled train anyway, empty all the way from Le Mans? What was going on here?! #LaFranceTractée

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Dominic Stucki @dominicstucki@urbanists.social · Jul 12, 2026

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Speaking of "complaining": Freight. Apart from the very first day, every single one of them came in the wrong direction! 100%. Same here: 3 towards Chartres, 0 towards Paris. But well, what do you expect, if you push them always in the hours where there's few to no passenger trains. #LaFranceTractée

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Dominic Stucki @dominicstucki@urbanists.social · Jul 11, 2026

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Well... *Ta-ta-taa-daaa!* 🎵 The cancelled train did run to Paris, indeed! 🤯 Without passengers. Oh, SNCF, you're so predictable. But again, I probably shouldn't complain... #LaFranceTractée

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Dominic Stucki @dominicstucki@urbanists.social · Jul 11, 2026

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But, wait... Something got me thinking: They say, that the third Corail is terminated short in Chartres. But I haven't seen any shunting staff there. And wouldn't that be a bit too much flexibility for SNCF standards anyway? What if they do run to Paris, just without passengers? 🤔 Stupid, you say? #LaFranceTractée

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