La Champenoise staff on duty at Aix-les-Bains station

Carried out in a dense urban environment, subject to strict regularity requirements, this project illustrates both ETF/Champenoise’s ability to manage ‘rapid-response’ operations (OCP) and the performance of its technical solution, which is recognised and valued by SNCF Réseau.

The wooden points, which had reached the limits of their capacity after decades of heavy rail traffic, posed significant challenges in terms of safety, maintenance and reliability. This project forms an integral part of the national campaign to regenerate points, known as ‘RAVI’, launched by SNCF Réseau.

A project in two complementary phases

From the end of January 2026, our teams began track renewal work during night-time slots on weekdays, whilst ensuring that rail services continued to run during the day. Over a 2.5 km stretch, the work involved replacing the rails, sleepers and ballast.

Over the Easter weekend, La Champenoise’s teams carried out a major track renewal operation, which enabled the simultaneous replacement of six sets of points and their connecting tracks. This type of operation requires meticulous preparation, close coordination between all parties involved and a proven ability to rapidly mobilise significant human and material resources.

The project is scheduled for completion by the end of April 2026, following the completion of the necessary reinforcement works and associated finishing operations.

Mechanised equipment: a technical offering that sets us apart

The success of a project of this scale depends on the commitment of the teams and the deployment of heavy, specialised machinery. On this project, our teams deployed a combination of PEM/LEM gantries, a work train, a tamping machine and a lorry-mounted gantry.

Managing this project required close coordination across a range of disciplines, demonstrating ETF’s ability to rapidly mobilise multidisciplinary expertise.

Management and coordination: dedicated multidisciplinary teams

• ETF Services was responsible for driving the maintenance trains,
• The South-East branch provided support for the welding operations.
• The South-East Mechanised Works branch provided support by deploying its heavy machinery.

Training and knowledge transfer

This project also provided a practical learning opportunity for one of ETF’s young talents: Laura Martins Masso, a site supervisor on the Graduate Programme.

“My first involvement in an ‘Opération Coup de Poing’ (OCP) was a particularly rewarding experience. By working alongside the teams at the AD, BS and TJS installation points, as well as during the installation of a BS with the PEM-LEM teams, working in tandem with the works supervisors and site managers, I fully appreciated the importance of rigour, coordination and collective commitment.

I would like to thank all the teams involved, and in particular those who supported and trained me on site. Site managers Leandro da Motta and Laurent Fayolle, with whom I worked side-by-side at both sites, shared their expertise with me in a patient and approachable manner. Finally, I would like to congratulate Florian Barbin, the site manager in charge of the project, for his excellent leadership and the success of this outstanding project.”

This feedback demonstrates our commitment to training and the transfer of expertise within the railway sector.