Here is Draisy, the little train that will revive rural small lines

DRAISY is a 100% electric light train powered by batteries, designed to revitalize small railway and rural lines starting in 2028.

Draisy is somewhat like the original Renault Twingo of the railway world: a great design and a desire to help others. This is the whole project of its French creator based in Alsace, Lohr, selected by the SNCF to revive the operation of forgotten old train lines in rural areas. The idea is to provide more connectivity between small towns rather than always forcing travel to a large, complex central hub.

Without fuel or the need to re-electrify thousands of kilometers of tracks, Draisy charges quickly at stations and reduces operating costs by 60%. It can carry 80 passengers (including 30 seated) with a range of 100 km and a maximum speed of 100 km/h. According to Lohr, Draisy would meet the needs of 9,000 km of lightly served lines thanks to a reduced weight of less than 10 tons per axle. The two powered axles are also guided to minimize rail wear.

On the tracks by 2026

The development schedule anticipates the opening of a first prototype line in Moselle starting in 2026. The aim will then be to deliver the first trains to SNCF in 2028, and subsequently expand its marketing internationally to find a viable economic model.

A time frame that is both short and comfortable to equip isolated stations with fast charging stations, as Draisy needs to be able to sufficiently boost itself during brief stops.

And what do you think of this Draisy project to revive small rural stations and its charming design?

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