An incident on the POLT line (Paris-Orléans-Limoges-Toulouse) disrupted train traffic on Monday. According to a text message received by a passenger, a catenary fell on a train just before Vierzon. The passengers of the Intercités train that departed from Limoges at 5 am remained stopped 2 kilometers before Vierzon station until around 11 am. It was a very long wait, with no real assistance provided onboard the train.
“It’s a bit unusual,” said Sulyvan, one of the passengers. “There’s a small cart that comes by to offer drinks and snacks, but they’re not free. The toilets are closed, there’s no heating, no electricity. Luckily, it’s not very cold. But being abandoned like this on a train with hundreds of passengers onboard is a bit strange.” Sulyvan was expressing his frustration before an announcement was made on board. However, the ordeal was not over for the passengers.
A locomotive arrived on site a little after 11 am to allow the train to enter Vierzon station where all passengers had to disembark. SNCF distributed meal baskets and water at Vierzon station. Passengers are allowed to take the next train to Paris. The only question is at what time it will arrive, as this first blocked train is causing significant delays on the entire line in both directions.
For example, the train departing from Paris that was supposed to arrive in Brive at 10:58 am is now 4 hours behind schedule. For Sulyvan’s Intercités passengers, SNCF announced at least a 6-hour delay to reach the capital. Sulyvan had a day of classes in Paris but decided to turn back. The same decision was made by a group from Limoges he met on the platform at Vierzon station. They were supposed to visit the Agricultural Fair on Monday but chose to cancel their plans.
