Completion of a major emergency rail recovery operation carried out by NGE for SNCF Réseau
Following an incident near Carentan station in the Manche département, SNCF Réseau launched an emergency operation to restore the infrastructure and reinstate rail services. In response, TSO, the NGE Group’s rail subsidiary, was mobilised alongside SNCF Réseau teams, deploying heavy railway equipment including its Kirow crane. An incident on Sunday 11 January led to the suspension of rail services between Lison and Cherbourg on the Paris-Cherbourg line.
Mobilised from the first hours of the response, NGE Group teams, led by TSO, worked alongside SNCF Réseau to carry out the recovery and lifting operations required before the track could be restored.
The operation follows previous joint emergency interventions by NGE and SNCF Réseau following exceptional incidents on the French national rail network, notably at Armentières-sur-Ourcq and Tonneins.
At the centre of the operation, TSO’s Kirow railway crane was deployed alongside SNCF Réseau’s crane to carry out the lifting work.
With a lifting capacity of up to 100 tonnes, a reach of 26 metres and full 360-degree rotation, the crane is specifically designed for complex railway works, particularly in emergency situations.
The Kirow KRC 1200 – the only crane of its kind in France’s private rail sector – is one of TSO’s key assets for major lifting operations in constrained environments.
The joint deployment helped to secure the operation, optimise the intervention timetable and reduce the period during which rail services were suspended.
The response also drew on several other NGE Group capabilities. NGE’s Multi-Expertise teams in Normandy mobilised GUINTOLI earthworks personnel and equipment to build access routes, while TSO CATENAIRES, the Group subsidiary specialising in overhead line equipment, carried out the removal, securing and repair of the affected electrical installations.
This Multi-Expertise organisation provided an integrated response to the incident and effective coordination of the work.
Completion of the recovery operation marks a key milestone. Infrastructure works are continuing to enable the line to reopen as quickly as possible.
“When a major incident occurs on the railway, every hour counts. Our role alongside SNCF Réseau is to be operational immediately. At Carentan, we rapidly deployed heavy equipment, including our Kirow railway crane, together with the NGE Group’s expertise in earthworks, track and overhead line systems. This Multi-Expertise capability enables us to respond effectively in emergencies, working alongside SNCF Réseau to help secure the site and accelerate the return to normal operations.”
Romuald HUGUES, President of TSO