More Oxygènes

SNCF Voyageurs has once again entrusted CAF with the supply of 22 Intercités EMUs, branded as Oxygène, which will serve the Bordeaux - Marseille line. These join the 28 trains previously contracted in 2019 for the Paris - Limoges - Toulouse and Paris - Clermont-Ferrand lines. The initial contract for Oxygène trains included an option for up to 75 additional units. This second agreement has worth more than 400 million EUR, the purchase by Intercités is financed by the State, which oversees the TET network (Trains d'Équilibre du Territoire). The latter comprises medium- and long-distance trains serving major French cities that are not connected by high-speed rail.

By the name Oxygène, SNCF wants to express the fact that its new 10-car long-distance trains, currently manufactured by CAF, will contribute to environmental protection. Each unit has a total capacity of 420 seats, comprising 317 in second and 103 in first class.

The 22 new Oxygènes will be manufactured entirely at CAF's facilities in Alsace, where the majority of the 28 trains of the initial order are already under production. This agreement for additional trains represents a significant increase in the workload of the Reichshoffen works through to 2029. With a history spanning 250 years of industrial and railway operations, the Reichshoffen factory, with a workforce of 740, represents a prominent plant in the CAF group. This is attributable to the engineering and design department, comprising over 130 engineers and technicians, which is capable of designing entire trains, in addition to the plant's flexible industrial capacity and vehicle testing facilities.

CAF is currently conducting a series of tests at the Velim test circle in the Czech Republic. On 23 July 2023 first Oxygène EMU arrived in the Czech Republic. These tests are intended to validate the design and performance of the Oxygène train, with evidence of the proper operation of the rolling stock being gathered and recorded to verify compliance with the relevant national and European railway requirements. Concurrently, the Beasain and Reichshoffen works continue building the batch.

The French network is set to undergo a series of approval tests starting in the autumn of 2025 which are scheduled to last various months. Finally, from 2026 onward, Oxygène EMUs will undergo testing under real conditions on the Paris - Clermont-Ferrand and Paris - Limoges - Toulouse lines. Once the planned stages are successfully completed, the rail safety authorities will issue the relevant Authorisation, which is indispensable for the start of commercial service. The first units of the initial batch of 28 Oxygènes ordered in October 2019 were scheduled to enter passenger service in early 2023.