Métrolor
Encyclopedia
Métrolor, as its name suggests (being a portmanteau of "métro" and "Lorraine"), is a brand for the internal passenger train service of the Lorraine region
, where the trains' frequency and network's density are comparable to rapid transit
systems.
– Thionville
line, started on 2 January 1970, by contractual arrangement between the SNCF
and the departments of Moselle
and Meurthe-et-Moselle
. It was the first such contract in France outside of Greater Paris. Over the next ten years or so, the idea was taken up by Stélyrail (1976), Métrazur, TCR Région Nord-Pas-de-Calais (1978), Métralsace and others.
The first services, from 1970 to 1977, were made with SNCF Class RIB 60 rolling stock , initially destined for the Paris region. Seven SNCF Class RIB 70 trains were assigned to the region permanently; these gave a more comfortable ride thanks to air suspension as opposed the mehanical suspension of the RIB 60. Six of these trains were heavily refurbished in 1990, with a shielded driver's cab in the style of multiple unit
s and a new torque converter
. These units were renamed ("Stainless steel railbus
") RIO 90.
Used in support of the SNCF Class Z 6300 class and the RIO together with the SNCF Class BB 16500
, they were soon extending as far as the city of Luxembourg
, although most stayed within the limits of Thionville. Duties were shared between the RRR, the SNCF Class Z2 (French and Luxembourg SNCF Class Z 11500
), "Caravelles" (diesel multiple unit
s) and, for some routes between Metz
and Nancy, a Corail train
and some older trains made up of UIC Type Y rolling stock.
, encompassing also the cross-border services to Luxembourg
and Saarbrücken
. A yellow-and-red logo
was designed, evoking the representative colours of the region.
Lorraine (région)
Lorraine is one of the 27 régions of France. The administrative region has two cities of equal importance, Metz and Nancy. Metz is considered to be the official capital since that is where the regional parliament is situated...
, where the trains' frequency and network's density are comparable to rapid transit
Rapid transit
A rapid transit, underground, subway, elevated railway, metro or metropolitan railway system is an electric passenger railway in an urban area with a high capacity and frequency, and grade separation from other traffic. Rapid transit systems are typically located either in underground tunnels or on...
systems.
Origins
The idea of Métrolor was originally applied by Alain Scholtès to the half-hourly service on the Nancy – MetzMetz
Metz is a city in the northeast of France located at the confluence of the Moselle and the Seille rivers.Metz is the capital of the Lorraine region and prefecture of the Moselle department. Located near the tripoint along the junction of France, Germany, and Luxembourg, Metz forms a central place...
– Thionville
Thionville
Thionville , is a commune in the Moselle department in Lorraine in north-eastern France. The city is located on the left bank of the river Moselle, opposite its suburb Yutz.-Demographics:...
line, started on 2 January 1970, by contractual arrangement between the SNCF
SNCF
The SNCF , is France's national state-owned railway company. SNCF operates the country's national rail services, including the TGV, France's high-speed rail network...
and the departments of Moselle
Moselle
Moselle is a department in the east of France named after the river Moselle.- History :Moselle is one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution on March 4, 1790...
and Meurthe-et-Moselle
Meurthe-et-Moselle
Meurthe-et-Moselle is a department in the Lorraine region of France, named after the Meurthe and Moselle rivers.- History :Meurthe-et-Moselle was created in 1871 at the end of the Franco-Prussian War from the parts of the former departments of Moselle and Meurthe which remained French...
. It was the first such contract in France outside of Greater Paris. Over the next ten years or so, the idea was taken up by Stélyrail (1976), Métrazur, TCR Région Nord-Pas-de-Calais (1978), Métralsace and others.
The first services, from 1970 to 1977, were made with SNCF Class RIB 60 rolling stock , initially destined for the Paris region. Seven SNCF Class RIB 70 trains were assigned to the region permanently; these gave a more comfortable ride thanks to air suspension as opposed the mehanical suspension of the RIB 60. Six of these trains were heavily refurbished in 1990, with a shielded driver's cab in the style of multiple unit
Multiple unit
The term multiple unit or MU is used to describe a self-propelled carriages capable of coupling with other units of the same or similar type and still being controlled from one driving cab. The term is commonly used to denote passenger trainsets consisting of more than one carriage...
s and a new torque converter
Torque converter
In modern usage, a torque converter is generally a type of hydrodynamic fluid coupling that is used to transfer rotating power from a prime mover, such as an internal combustion engine or electric motor, to a rotating driven load...
. These units were renamed ("Stainless steel railbus
Railbus
A railbus is a very lightweight type passenger rail vehicle that shares many aspects of their construction with a bus, usually having a bus, or modified bus body, and having four wheels on a fixed base, instead of on bogies...
") RIO 90.
Used in support of the SNCF Class Z 6300 class and the RIO together with the SNCF Class BB 16500
SNCF Class BB 16500
The SNCF Class BB 16500 electric locomotives were built by Alsthom between 1958-1964.They are part of the family of locomotives: SNCF Class BB 8500, SNCF Class BB 88500, SNCF Class BB 17000, SNCF Class BB 20200 and SNCF Class BB 25500.-Gallery:...
, they were soon extending as far as the city of Luxembourg
Luxembourg (city)
The city of Luxembourg , also known as Luxembourg City , is a commune with city status, and the capital of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. It is located at the confluence of the Alzette and Pétrusse Rivers in southern Luxembourg...
, although most stayed within the limits of Thionville. Duties were shared between the RRR, the SNCF Class Z2 (French and Luxembourg SNCF Class Z 11500
SNCF Class Z 11500
The SNCF Class Z 11500 electric multiple units were built by Alsthom between 1986-1987....
), "Caravelles" (diesel multiple unit
Diesel multiple unit
A diesel multiple unit or DMU is a multiple unit train consisting of multiple carriages powered by one or more on-board diesel engines. They may also be referred to as a railcar or railmotor, depending on country.-Design:...
s) and, for some routes between Metz
Metz
Metz is a city in the northeast of France located at the confluence of the Moselle and the Seille rivers.Metz is the capital of the Lorraine region and prefecture of the Moselle department. Located near the tripoint along the junction of France, Germany, and Luxembourg, Metz forms a central place...
and Nancy, a Corail train
Corail (train)
Corail is the name given to a class of passenger rail cars of the SNCF that first entered commercial service in 1975. When introduced, Corail carriages featured air-conditioning, and superior levels of comfort, suspension and sound-proofing than previous InterCity carriages and gave arguably the...
and some older trains made up of UIC Type Y rolling stock.
New definition: The Métrolor network
In November 2002 the name Métrolor returned to the Lorraine region to designate the regional railway services of TER LorraineTER Lorraine
TER Lorraine is the regional rail network serving Lorraine region, France.- Rail:-Road:* Thionville - Bouzonville - Creutzwald* Remiremont - Bussang* Remiremont - La Bresse - Gerardmer* Epinal - Mirecourt - Vittel - Neufchâteau...
, encompassing also the cross-border services to Luxembourg
Luxembourg (city)
The city of Luxembourg , also known as Luxembourg City , is a commune with city status, and the capital of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. It is located at the confluence of the Alzette and Pétrusse Rivers in southern Luxembourg...
and Saarbrücken
Saarbrücken
Saarbrücken is the capital of the state of Saarland in Germany. The city is situated at the heart of a metropolitan area that borders on the west on Dillingen and to the north-east on Neunkirchen, where most of the people of the Saarland live....
. A yellow-and-red logo
Logo
A logo is a graphic mark or emblem commonly used by commercial enterprises, organizations and even individuals to aid and promote instant public recognition...
was designed, evoking the representative colours of the region.