Draisy, the train that will revitalize rural lines

SNCF and Alsace-based industrialist Lohr have unveiled a new train, named Draisy. The aim of this battery-electric vehicle is to breathe new life into small rural lines, most of which are under threat.
The Draisy train, with its distinctive square nose and futuristic design, will soon be rolled out across the Grand-Est region. Its aim: to become “a train for the countryside” and revive rural rail lines. With its 80 seats (including 30 seated), Draisy, which runs on electric batteries, has a number of advantages.
“These small lines have very little electrification, so we had to come up with an autonomous solution. It’s a very light train – we’re aiming for less than 20 tonnes – and it’s very short, measuring 14 metres like a bus. The aim is to do less damage to the rail track, to save money”, says Julien Rat, Lohr’s Director of Rail Operations.