2007 peak times in Savoie : last ones for CC 6500s ...



The last four CC 6500 in service (6549, 6558, 6559 and 6575) on early 2007 were used during school vacations in February/March 2007.
Among the four locomotives, three were generally used on Maurienne and Tarentaise lines (up to Albertville) on Saturdays and, most of the time, only one on Sundays.
Between peak week-ends, one or two CC 6500s were used on regional trains to Avignon, Modane or Geneva, depending on the days.
APCC 6570 photographers did not miss the opportunity of assisting to the “show” of 10 or 12 cars trains easily pulled by powerful CC 6500s on 33 ‰ ramps up to Modane, enjoying the typical sound of their transmission.
Here is a summary of various 2007 peak week-ends with CC 6549, 6558, 6559 and 6575 “on stage”.
Unfortunately, weather was not often favorable …
All following pictures are coming from APCC 6570 members.

On February 10th 2007, CC 6549 was on head end of a nicely composed train on the Alberville-Saint Pierre d'Albigny single track line.
Train was coming from Bourg Saint Maurice going to Lyon. 6549 had taken the train over in Alberville station, under the rain ...

(Photo Pierre Chavernac)

Same day, in the early evening CC 6549 is seen going from Lyon to Modane with train No 883 323.
Picture taken at 6:23 PM in Chambéry station. Sky color is misleading as it was still raining ...

(Photo Pierre Chavernac)


While a few days before, CC 6558 was still stored under “accidental repair” status, we had a good surprise on that February 10th morning to see that locomotive (now preserved by APMFS association) at work in Maurienne valley !
It is seen here on the evening of February 10th on head end of train No 883 368 Modane-Lyon, while stopping in Chambéry.
After gathering information, CC 6558 had been stored after a flash in one of its motors. A few days before February peak periods, damaged motor was replaced in Vénissieux workshop.

(Photo Pierre Chavernac)


On February 17th 2007, CC 6559 is seen coming from Alberville on Tarentaise single track line, approaching of Grésy sur Isère. Front pantograph was used for an unknown reason. 
Like on previous week-end, TGV traffic on Tarentaise line was impressive. Passing stations were used at their maximum capacity. Ordinary trains were a minority compared to TGVs. CC 6500s were used on only one return trip.

(Photo Pierre Chavernac)

On February 24th 2007, CC 6575 is seen in front of small Pau village, between Saint Pierre d'Albigny and Tarentaise line junction.
CC 6575 is seen passing under signal gantry protecting this junction, heading towards Modane.

(Photo Michel Brunet)

During peak period week-ends of 2007, weather has not been often favorable to spotters. In a site usually much frequented by spotters (that day, due to rain, on Michel was there…), CC 6549 is seen coming from Modane passing by Saint Jean de la Porte. Ceiling in quite low ...

(Photo Michel Brunet)

On Saturday March 10th 2007, last peak period week-end, three CC 6500s were at work on same trains as usual.
CC 6575 went to Modane on late morning.
On its side, CC 6559 went on a round trip  Chambéry-Alberville, Alberville-Lyon, Lyon-Modane.
It is seen here shortly after having departed from Alberville with train TER 883260.

(Photo Raphaël Emery)

On the same day, between Chamousset and Aiton, CC 6575 is on head end of a nice train Modane.

(Photo Raphaël Emery)

Sunday March 11th : Surprisingly, three CC 6500s were at work on the Maurienne line !
(While most of the time, only one CC 6500 was used on Sundays).

Once again, CC 6558, 6559 et 6575 were used.

First CC 6500 to come : CC 6559 which was travelling from Modane to Aix-les-Bains in the early morning.
Its service that day : Modane (9h00)-Aix les Bains (10h35), followed by an empty train Aix-Chambéry before being pulled as a vehicle to Vénissieux depot in the afternoon.

(Photo Raphaël Emery)

Second CC 6500 that day : under a beautiful weather, CC 6575 is seen between Aiton and Aigubelle on head end of a short 4 cars train.

A few minutes before a TGV to Milano could be seen, passing a freight train : spectacular scene !

(Photo Pierre Chavernac)

Still on March 11th 2007, in Argentine, CC 6558 is seen heading towards Modane with snowy mountains background, on head end of train No TER 883 313 Lyon - Modane. It was doing exactly the same service than the day before (back from Modane to Lyon with train No TER 883 368).

(Photo L. Berguet)

Members of APCC 6570 were well spread along Arc River valley : train No 883 313 is seen here a few miles before previous picture.

(Photo David Communieux)

Last picture of this coverage: on Sunday March 11th, Train No TER 883 309 to which CC 6500s remained faithful all over these peak periods.

CC 6575 is seen passing by Pontamafrey shunt track, recognizable by its wooden overhead lines posts (up and right of the picture).

(Photo David Communieux)

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