photo: Olivier Armillota et Brian Camusat

Story | September 2026

Made in France. Built for the heart of Paris.

Five complex scissors crossovers are renewing a critical section of Gare du Nord - one of Europe’s busiest rail hubs - with precision, performance and reduced disruption.

Gare du Nord Project Modernising a strategic rail hub under exceptional constraints.

For SNCF Réseau, Vossloh is supplying and installing five large-scale scissors crossovers for the underground infrastructure at Paris Gare du Nord.

These highly complex track devices combine multiple functions in a compact footprint—helping the network maintain operational flexibility when traffic needs to be rerouted. The solution was designed around a constrained tunnel environment, reduced possession windows and the need to keep a vital transport hub performing.

Answering SNCF Réseau’s ChallengesMore resilience in less space.

At Gare du Nord, every minute of access to the track is precious. The project combines compact design, panelised installation and rigorous logistics to minimise disruption.

01 / Network availability

Keep options open

Scissors crossovers provide a compact way to transfer trains between adjacent tracks in both directions—supporting service adaptation during disrupted operations.

02 / Constrained delivery

Fit the tunnel reality

The central area is prepared in clearly marked sleeper packages, enabling accurate on-site reassembly where complete pre-assembly cannot physically pass.

03 / Possession windows

Accelerate installation

Plug-and-play panels, pre-completed electrical cabling and crane installation reduce track-side work and support shorter possessions.

Olivier Armillotta, Project Manager, SNCF Réseau “The objective is always the same: reduce the impact on passengers.”

Engineered LogisticsA precise route from workshop to tunnel.

 

  1. Designed and manufactured in France: engineering and production are coordinated around the project’s operational requirements.
  2. Pre-assembled and tested: panels and electrical cabling are completed in the workshop before dispatch.
  3. Delivered by rail: tilting wagons carry ready-to-install turnout and intermediate panels, limiting truck movements.
  4. Installed in sequence: crane placement and the marked “puzzle” central section support rapid, error-resistant assembly in the tunnel.

Project at a GlancePerformance that reaches beyond the works site.

A carefully prepared industrial and logistics solution supports network continuity for passengers and more sustainable delivery.

5

large-scale scissors crossovers supplied for Gare du Nord

6 m

timber sleepers in the central crossing area, engineered for the complex design

Rail

delivery by tilting wagon, reducing road transport requirements and supporting a lower-carbon logistics approach

Vossloh Know-How · Made In FranceIndustrial capability, close to the network.

Latest-generation track technology

Vossloh Switch Systems France brings together design expertise, precision manufacturing and complex-device assembly for demanding rail applications.

  • 50D switch-rail profile
  • MIM steel sleepers at the first attack
  • Cogislide system and prototype crossing configurations
  • Robust design for availability and operational performance

A French industrial journey

The project mobilises Vossloh’s French industrial footprint - from design and manufacturing in Reichshoffen, Alsace, to assembly in Fère-en-Tardenois, Aisne, with specialist expertise of manganese crossings foundry in Outreau, Pas-de-Calais.

  • Local manufacturing and assembly capability
  • Factory preparation for consistent quality
  • Rail-based logistics from production to Paris

Collaboration that deliversFour years of joint preparation - one shared objective.

The solution was developed through sustained collaboration between SNCF Réseau and Vossloh, from early engineering through logistics, prototyping, testing, quality checks and acceptance.

Joint technical visits and follow-up meetings helped align the solution with the particular conditions of the underground station. The result is a delivery and installation method built around safety, predictability and the operational needs of the network.


Customer

SNCF Réseau

Location

Gare du Nord, Paris

Application

Underground strategic rail junction

Delivery concept

Plug-and-play panels on tilting wagons

See the project From French workshops to the Paris tunnel.

Experts bring you in the story from collaborative design to tunnel installation. Take a look behind the scenes of the project!

Rail delivery

Turnout panels are delivered pre-assembled by tilting wagons reducing road transport and emissions for more efficient on-site installation.

Tunnel installation

The tunnel-work configuration required collaborative planning well in advance to ensure precise and rapid reassembly on site. (photo: Clara Ferran)