SNCF has halted deliveries of new trains due to technical issues with Alstom’s X’Trapolis trains. Transilien in the Île-de-France region continues to report poor performance in daily operations, particularly related to issues with new trains. In this article, we will focus on the technical issues experienced and the ongoing resolution efforts between SNCF and Alstom.
Technical Problems Reported to Be Ongoing on X'Trapolis Trains
Unveiled in Paris in November 2023, the X’Trapolis Cityduplex trains were met with great excitement as the first of a major order of 166 trains from SNCF. However, despite 36 trains being delivered, only 26 are currently in operation, a direct result of disruptions and technical issues in deliveries.
According to Le Figaro, equipment on the new trains has been found to be failing twice as often as expected, with failures occurring four times more frequently than on older models. This is seriously delaying the acceptance of the X'Trapolis trains and leading SNCF to halt deliveries of the new trains indefinitely.
Lubrication Problems and Incompatibilities of the Old Train
Alstom blames the technical problems on different rail lubrication demands between old and new trains. While newer trains need less oil, older trains dating back to 1997 use too much oil, which causes problems. The old trains' incompatible lubricants cause wheel traction problems and lead to oil build-up on the rails. This build-up leads to slipping rails and the need for more cleaning.
SNCF is implementing a short-term strategy to temporarily resolve this situation, but Alstom is collaborating with SNCF to develop a more permanent solution.
Software and Maintenance Issues
The technical problems of the new X'Trapolis trains are not limited to physical issues; software problems are also a major factor. Software failures cause a large number of incidents across the network, hampering service reliability. This means that the new trains require more maintenance and repairs than expected. SNCF officials confirmed that this increased maintenance complexity increases costs and repairs are slower, straining budgets and delaying service improvements.
Future Deliveries and Forward-Looking Solutions
Alstom and SNCF are working together to quickly fix these technical issues on the X’Trapolis trains. However, there is no clear timeline yet for full acceptance of the new trains. The situation highlights the difficulties of integrating new technology with ageing rail infrastructure.
The technical problems experienced by the X'Trapolis trains are being resolved through the collaboration of SNCF and Alstom, but this process is quite challenging. Problems such as lubrication, software and maintenance prevent the trains from being fully accepted and cause operational difficulties. SNCF's continued work with Alstom to overcome these problems and improve service quality is of great importance for both the transport infrastructure of the Paris region and daily passengers in the region.
