EWS in France

[Laurent]

Hi!

The EWSI french subsidiary Euro Cargo Rail film lines where it will operate this winter. The purpose is to train drivers.

French diesel BB 66000 at Gravelines between Dunkerque and Calais (see below).

Kind regards from France

Laurent

http://perso.wanadoo.fr/paul.charlier/gravelines.jpg

[Steve]

looks very powerfull.

[Soo6617]

Are they using a SNCF Loco for Driver Training? I didn't think that SNCF would be very warm to that idea. I had heard that they were going to use Vossloh G1206 locos from Angel Train Cargo.

[Laurent]

Hi,

No, this SNCF locomotive had just permitted to film the line (you can distinguish the cameraman inside).
In first, this winter, EWSI will use MaK 1206 from ATC.
And when EMD class 66 is approved, these one will be able to run.

Laurent

[Laurent]

And RFF (infrastructure manager) ask to SNCF to realize this. So SNCF must permit access to other operators for training...

Laurent

[Soo6617]

Yes, I understood that RFF have asked for it, what I was wondering is what was SNCF's reponse and what was the Unions response. I saw the reports of what happened when CFTA tried their test runs prior to beginning regular service.
I haven't heard of further problems but then again so far CFTA is operating just a very limited amount of services. What I am wondering about is what will happen when CFTA, TX Logistics, and EWSI manage to gain a significant market share, say in three or four years time. SNCF Fret's market share in France is falling fast
and the Unions are in denial that their constant strike actions are a significant, but not the only, part of the problem. What will happen when EWSI and others either have French workers who are not part of the big Railway Union or even worse do not employ Frenchmen, and start causing faster traffic and revenue losses at SNCF Fret? Even without the outsiders what is going to happen at SNCF Fret? It looks like it could collapse. A lot of employees and costs, and very little freight to haul and very little money coming in.

[Laurent]

Hello,

When EWSI ran this train to film lines, Unions were present and stopped it at the beginning.
I think they do neither understand the stake nor the risk to lose traffics and so market share. There are too many strikes and industrial companies would work with others operators like CFTA Cargo today and EWSI/ECR tomorow. When a big competitor like EWS begin to operate, perhaps Unions will react.
About SNCF missions for RFF, I think Infrastructure and regulation staff would leave the operator SNCF for the infrastructure manager named RFF.

Regards,

Laurent

[Soo6617]

Thanks for the response. I was wondering what was happening in France. I know that there are more important problems right now.