Originally Posted by: kimballthurlow 
A bit of a problem.......
Could happen anywhere. Reporting from The Guardian.
France's national railway operator SNCF has ordered 2,000 new trains that are too large for many of the stations they are due to serve.
The train operator has admitted failing to verify measurements it was given by the rail operator before ordering its new rolling stock.
The costly mistake has sparked an urgent €50m operation to modify 1,300 platforms on the regional network. SNCF has admitted that one in six regional train stations is affected. In the worst cases it has discovered two trains can no longer pass each other on adjacent lines.
The new regional trains, known as TERs (trains express regionaux), are intended to upgrade the network and were based on measurements provided by national rail operator RFF. However, RFF sent SNCF the dimensions of stations built less than 30 years ago. It was then discovered – after it was too late – that the trains, due to go into service from now until 2016, were too big by several centimetres for stations built more than 50 years ago.
SNCF said only 341 trains – 182 from Alstom and 159 from Bombardier – were affected.
regards
Kimballs
Hello,
not sure that it will be the exact story.
Some platforms are very old (more than 75 years) and in this time disabled people were not helped to climb aboard a train.
In modern times, it is now different.
So you try to limit the space between a train and a platform.
Trains were ordered to make some destinations in regions.
But politcians in regions have now the authority to order trains and ask for other destinations.
So, adaptation in platforms has started but lately than expected.
And it costs a lot.
It has started since two years and will occur again the two next years.
The cost will be 0,3% of the yearly investment of RFF.
Trains are currently delivered without any major problem.
Do you think that Airbus A380 can fly without adapting airports especially doors ?
That's the same thing for trains.
So where is the problem ? Perhaps with political stories asking for the resignation of SNCF CEO ?
If the stopy appears now , one week before polling, three weeks before a Parliamant discussion about the merge of SNCF and RFF,
not sure that it is a coincidence.
But it makes a good story for newspapers
Regards
Olivier
PS :I attach a link about a famous layout in France
CFFC old layoutOn the site you will find pictures of the last one which is also famous.
