Le Lyonnais

Le Lyonnais, also known as the Lyonnais, was a named French express train operated by the Société Nationale des Chemins de fer français (SNCF). It connected Paris and Lyon over the northern section of the Paris–Marseille railway, serving Paris-Gare de Lyon, Dijon-Ville, and Lyon-Perrache. The service covered approximately 512 kilometres, or 318 miles, and took its name from the Lyonnais, a historic French province associated with the city and region of Lyon. The train entered service in 1968 as a Rapide, SNCF’s designation for a premium long-distance express service. In 1969, Le Lyonnais was converted into a first-class-only Trans Europ Express (TEE). Although the TEE network was international in concept, some TEE-designated services operated within a single country while meeting the network’s standards for speed, comfort, and service. Le Lyonnais occupied this TEE role until 1976, when it was returned to the Rapide category. Its rolling stock and traction reflected the modernization of French main-line railways during the period. At first, the train was generally hauled by SNCF Class BB 9200 electric locomotives, four-axle locomotives designed for operation under France’s 1.5 kV direct-current electrification. During the 1970s, BB 9200 locomotives were replaced on the service by the newer six-axle Class CC 6500. As a TEE, the train initially used a rake of Mistral 56-type DEV Inox stainless-steel coaches. The formation included a baggage or service vehicle, six first-class A8 coaches, an A5ru restaurant or service coach, and a Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits (CIWL) Pullman car. In 1971, the consist was modernized with Mistral 69-type DEV Inox coaches, including an A4Dtux vehicle, four A8u coaches, two A8tu coaches, an A3rtu coach, and a Vru restaurant car. The dining service remained staffed by CIWL throughout the train’s existence. Le Lyonnais continued as a Rapide after its withdrawal from the TEE category. Its final day of operation was 26 September 1981. On the following day, 27 September 1981, France introduced its first TGV service on the same broad Paris–Lyon corridor. The change marked the transition from conventional locomotive-hauled named expresses to high-speed rail. Le Lyonnais therefore ended not because the Paris–Lyon connection disappeared, but because its role was taken over by a new generation of high-speed service. The train is now a historical example of SNCF’s pre-TGV premium passenger network and of the development of named express trains in France.

Le Lyonnais was introduced in 1968 by SNCF as a named express train on the Paris–Lyon axis. Its route used the first 512 kilometres of the Paris–Marseille railway and had three principal stops: Paris-Gare de Lyon, Dijon-Ville, and Lyon-Perrache. The name referred to the Lyonnais, a former French province whose historical identity was connected with Lyon. In this context, the name functioned as a geographic designation for a major intercity rail link rather than as the name of a separate railway company. At launch, Le Lyonnais operated as a Rapide. It was normally hauled by a Class BB 9200 electric locomotive, one of SNCF’s four-axle locomotives designed for the 1.5 kV direct-current system used on the route. The train represented the conventional locomotive-hauled express model that dominated French long-distance passenger travel before the introduction of high-speed rail. In 1969, SNCF promoted Le Lyonnais to the Trans Europ Express system. During this period it operated as a first-class-only service. Its TEE formation initially consisted of Mistral 56-type DEV Inox stainless-steel coaches: a Ds vehicle, six A8 first-class coaches, an A5ru vehicle, and a CIWL Pullman car. The use of stainless-steel Mistral stock and dedicated catering formed part of the premium image associated with TEE services. The dining car was staffed by the Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits throughout the train’s operational life. The consist was revised in 1971 with newer Mistral 69-type DEV Inox coaches. The documented formation comprised an A4Dtux, four A8u coaches, two A8tu coaches, an A3rtu, and a Vru restaurant car. These changes updated the passenger accommodation while retaining the service’s first-class and dining-oriented character. Traction also evolved during the 1970s: the newer six-axle Class CC 6500 locomotives replaced the BB 9200 locomotives on the service. Le Lyonnais remained in the TEE category until 1976. It was then downgraded to the Rapide category and continued as a conventional premium express. The change reflected the evolving organization of French passenger services, although the train remained an important named connection between the capital and Lyon. Its service life ended on 26 September 1981. The next day, 27 September 1981, saw the launch of the first TGV service in France on the same corridor. TGV operation consequently replaced the role previously performed by Le Lyonnais. The train’s significance lies in this transition. It began as a conventional SNCF Rapide, became a high-standard first-class TEE with specialized rolling stock and CIWL catering, returned to the Rapide category, and finally gave way to high-speed rail. Le Lyonnais is therefore best understood as a historical train service and transport brand, not as an independent corporate brand or a continuing commercial product.

• 1981

  Final operation and replacement by TGV

  [1]Le Lyonnais (train)en.wikipedia.org

  The last run took place on 26 September. The following day, France introduced its first TGV service on the same corridor, replacing the conventional named express.

• 1976

  Return to Rapide classification

  [1]Le Lyonnais (train)en.wikipedia.org

  After operating as a TEE, Le Lyonnais was returned to the Rapide category.

• 1971

  Introduction of Mistral 69 coaches

  [1]Le Lyonnais (train)en.wikipedia.org

  The train’s TEE formation was updated with Mistral 69-type DEV Inox coaches and a revised restaurant-oriented consist.

• 1969

  Conversion to Trans Europ Express service

  [1]Le Lyonnais (train)en.wikipedia.org

  Le Lyonnais became a first-class-only Trans Europ Express and adopted a premium Mistral 56-based formation with CIWL catering.

• 1968

  Introduction as a Rapide

  [1]Le Lyonnais (train)en.wikipedia.org

  SNCF introduced Le Lyonnais as a named Rapide express linking Paris-Gare de Lyon with Lyon-Perrache via Dijon-Ville.

A premium long-distance rail service positioned around fast Paris–Lyon travel, first-class accommodation during its Trans Europ Express period, and onboard dining. Its final operating period placed it among the conventional express services superseded by France’s TGV network.

• Named intercity passenger train · 1968

  Le Lyonnais

  Le Lyonnais was an SNCF express passenger service between Paris-Gare de Lyon and Lyon-Perrache, with a scheduled stop at Dijon-Ville. It operated over the first 512 kilometres of the Paris–Marseille railway. The service began as a Rapide in 1968, operated as a first-class-only Trans Europ Express from 1969 to 1976, and then returned to the Rapide category until its final run in September 1981.

• First-class rail service · 1969

  Le Lyonnais TEE formation

  During its Trans Europ Express period, Le Lyonnais offered first-class accommodation using SNCF Mistral 56 and later Mistral 69 DEV Inox stainless-steel coaches. The service included dedicated dining facilities, with the restaurant car staffed by the Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits throughout the train’s existence.

1. 1Le Lyonnais (train)en.wikipedia.org