France (Nouvelle Aquitaine) - Lines with Obscure or Sparse passenger services

Obscure Services

Raccordement de Port de Piles: north of Châtellerault

[ERT 300] (ERA-E 27C3 not shown correctly; ERA-R 74A5; 18I10 ) FR23/401

This provides a link from the LGV SEA for TGVs serving Châtellerault as well as Poitiers. It probably came into service at the end of 2017. The trains listed below run non-stop between Paris Montparnasss and Châtellerault, so can be expected to use this connection. It is not clear whether TGVs calling at St Pierre des Corps and Châtellerault use the LGV and this connection or remain on the old main line. Travellers' reports will be welcome.

D	SX	TGV8383	16:57 Paris Montparnasse - Poitiers/La Rochelle Ville/Bordeaux St Jean
D	FSSuX	TGV8488	Bordeaux St Jean- 18:28 Châtellerault - Paris Montparnasse

Raccordement Juillé and Raccordement Villognon (north of Angoulême)

[ERT 300] (ERA-E 28B3, not shown correctly; ERA-R 73C3) FR402

These two links north of Angoulême between LGV SEA and the 'classic' line, which came into service 2 July 2017, are about 7.25km apart but function as a single grade separated junction.
Click on the thumbnail for a full size map.

They are normally used by TGVs serving Angoulême.

Raccordement de la Grave: St.Loubès (La Grave d'Ambarès Supérieure) – Ste.Eulalie-Carbon-Blanc (Bifurcation de la Grave)

(ERA-E 28C2 not shown; ERA-R 73A2) FR20/403

This east to south curve links the high level (Angoulême) and low level (Saintes) lines north of Bordeaux.
Click on the thumbnail for a full size map.

In the past this curve was used by late evening trains southbound to Bordeaux and by early morning and late evening ones northbound from Bordeaux. This pattern probably still applies but details of individual trains are no longer available to the compilers.
However, all northbound trains from Platform 2S at Cenon (the eastern pair of lines) must use this curve. Trains departing from the high numbered platforms at Bordeaux are more likely to go this way.
The compilers would greatly appreciate details of trains that currently use this route.

Hendaye - Irun (Spain)

[ERT 689] (ERA-E 29B1; ERA-R 77A3) FR20/404

There have been no standard gauge passenger trains from Hendaye to Irún since December 2017. The only cross-border services are broad gauge trains. See Spain route Hendaye (France) – Irún (standard/broad gauge) for details and train timings