Some sad news to share..
Its all over on ligne 4...
CC 72186 did the honours with IC 11644 -(05h14 Culmont Chalindrey - Paris Est) yesterday morning.
A BB 15000 then hauled the empties out of Est and that was it...
Apparently the remaining locomotives will be kept in reserve until the end of the year and after then two or three will be retained but yesterday (28/08/2017) was the last ever planned use of le CC 72100 / CC 72000 in passenger service.
This marks the end of this legendary class of locomotives and a chapter in railway history. ??????
I was surprised to hear this so soon as I heard elsewhere that the last diagrams were to finish at the December timetable change, but I guess they have turned out the plastic junk faster than expected..
C'est la vie...
I think its a pity that SNCF have not done much to celebrate the locos. The last train didn't even carry a headboard or anything. Anyone know if there are any plans for a farewell tour?
Merci beaucoup to Monsieur Quentin Dal Degan from Tonnerre for the info on FB. Here is his account of yesterdays historic dernier voyage on youtube;
https://m.youtube.com/watch?t=3s&v=WzrUANQU8XI
Adieu CC72100... ??????