Original Source: www.paris-normandie.fr
This article delves into the recent disruptions in the SNCF train services caused by severe weather conditions, particularly focusing on the abnormal weather events of storms Caetano and Bert in November 2024. With multiple train lines out of service, the operational struggles of the railway system impacted many commuters between Évreux and Paris. The background lays the foundation to understand the intricate balance of safety and service that railway authorities must navigate during unpredictable weather.
As Monday dawned on 25 November 2024, a cloud of inconvenience settled over the weary travellers of the Nomad network. Like a sudden rainstorm disrupting an eagerly awaited picnic, the SNCF announced that all trains between Évreux and Paris Saint-Lazare were halted due to fallen branches that had whimsically decided to settle on the electrical lines between Bueil and Beaumont-le-Roger. Maintenance teams scrambled like busy bees, diligently working to restore the flow of rail traffic, assuring that one lane was already cleared. The return to normal operations was anticipated by 10:30, bringing hopes of resuming journeys to those stranded momentarily.
This disruption was but a ripple in a stormy sea of chaos that had been unleashed by the recent tempests, Caetano and Bert. Echoing through the railways, the aftermath of these storms was palpable, with train services from the capital to Le Havre halted from the previous Thursday until the following Friday. Snow had painted the landscape white, cloaking the tracks in a deceptive beauty that concealed their dangers. Even the brave who attempted to travel faced waits that stretched longer than the shadows at dusk, with some lines remaining closed until the weekend.
Further to the north, as the winds of tempests swept through, safety became paramount. From the evening of Saturday 23 November to the afternoon of Sunday 24, the lines from Caen to Lison, Coutances, Granville, and Rennes were placed on hold. It was a necessary measure; much like winding down a carnival ride, the operators knew that ensuring the guests’ safety was of higher concern than maintaining the thrill of travel. Now, the people of Évreux found themselves in a waiting game, hoping that the sun would peek through the clouds and hint at brighter skies ahead.
