CAF to Supply 22 Intercités Oxygène Trains to SNCF Voyageurs

SNCF Voyageurs has ordered 22 additional Intercités Oxygène trains from CAF to operate on the Bordeaux-Marseille line.

These vehicles will complement the 28 units previously ordered in 2019 for the Paris-Limoges-Toulouse and Paris-Clermont-Ferrand routes.

The new contract, valued at over 400 million EUR, is part of an optional extension to the original agreement, which included the possibility of ordering up to 75 additional trains.

The purchase is financed by the French State as part of its oversight of the TET (Trains d’Équilibre du Territoire) network, designed to connect major cities not served by high-speed rail.

The Oxygène trains are designed to enhance medium- and long-distance travel. Each train has a seating capacity of 420, including 317 seats in second class and 103 in first class. Additional passenger amenities include LED reading lights, power sockets, USB ports, and high-speed Wi-Fi.

To enhance accessibility and practicality, the trains feature wide corridors, dedicated spaces for bicycles, and ample luggage storage. A catering area is also provided to improve the passenger experience.

The new trains will be produced at CAF’s Reichshoffen facility in Alsace, which is also manufacturing the earlier batch of 28 trains. This additional order ensures continuity of operations at the plant, extending its workload until 2029.

The facility employs 740 people and includes a team of over 130 engineers and technicians, allowing for the complete design and production of rolling stock. The plant also houses advanced testing facilities to validate the performance and safety of new vehicles.

CAF is also conducting validation tests for the Oxygène trains at the Velim test track in the Czech Republic. These tests aim to confirm the trains’ compliance with both national and European railway standards.

Approval tests on the French rail network are scheduled to begin in autumn 2025. These tests will run for several months, with real-world trials on the Paris-Clermont-Ferrand and Paris-Limoges-Toulouse lines planned for 2026.