The Grand Est Region, in northeastern France, has officially inaugurated the new five-car double-decker trains to operate the Fluo Grand Est services on the Sillon Lorrain rail corridor to Luxembourg station.
Although the new trains have been in service on the Metz-Luxembourg line since April 29, they were officially inaugurated on May 4, 2026, at the Metz station.
With the purchase of 16 additional trains, totaling 118 million euros, the Grand Est region is strengthening its strategy for more sustainable, efficient, and attractive transportation. The TER 2N NG trains are manufactured by Alstom. Under an agreement, the Normandy Region transferred the TER 2N NG double-decker trains to the Grand Est Region.
Each train consists of five cars and offers 554 seats, compared to 313 previously, which will significantly improve travel conditions, especially during peak hours.
The new double-decker trains meet high demand for cross-border travel, as more than 12,000 passengers use regional trains to and from Luxembourg daily, making this route one of the busiest in France outside the Paris region. The Sillon Lorrain rail corridor also plays an important role in European freight transport.
Between Thionville and the Luxembourg border, up to eight trains per hour run in each direction, including regional TER services, high-speed TGV trains, and freight trains.
The gradual introduction of the new trains over the coming months will enable a rapid increase in transport capacity. Authorities estimate that by the end of 2026 or early 2027, the number of seats available during peak hours will reach approximately 13,000, representing an increase of about 50%.
The Sillon Lorrain rail corridor is a strategic and heavily trafficked route in eastern France, connecting the cities of Nancy, Metz, and Thionville to Luxembourg.
More trains and investments to modernize the network
Beyond the introduction of new trains, the Grand Est region is implementing a comprehensive strategy to improve the long-term performance of this rail line.
Measures already implemented include an immediate increase in capacity during peak hours. Starting in the fall of 2025, certain services have been expanded, including the train departing at 5:16 p.m. from Luxembourg, where a three-car train has been introduced that can carry approximately 1,000 seated passengers and significantly improves travel conditions at the end of the day.
At the same time, the modernization of the existing rolling stock is continuing. The comprehensive modernization program for the 25 three-car double-decker trains, carried out as part of the “Opération Mi-Vie” (OPMV) project, is already underway. Seven modernized trains are already in service, and three others are currently being refurbished.
The 16 additional trainsets recently acquired will complete this fleet renewal program. The modernized trains will feature the new Fluo Grand Est visual identity, for clearer recognition of the regional network. The entire program, which covers a total of 41 trains and involves investments of approximately 180 million euros, aims to increase reliability and passenger comfort.
The region is also investing in the maintenance of cross-border trains. A new maintenance workshop will become operational this summer in Montigny-lès-Metz, with an official inauguration scheduled for the fall of 2026. The project is co-financed with the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and is valued at 120 million euros. The new facility will enable the optimization of maintenance work and increase the availability of rolling stock.
At the same time, the Grand Est region is continuing discussions with the French government and SNCF Réseau to expand infrastructure capacity and anticipate the continued growth of traffic on this strategic corridor.
The authorities’ goal is to support the steady growth in passenger numbers, improve service regularity, and offer more reliable and comfortable travel conditions on one of the busiest lines in the French rail network.
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