SNCF France/Paris

As much as I would love to talk about France's high-speed rail network... this hit this morning:

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/pari ... rcna163768

PARIS — Hours before the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics on Friday, part of France’s high-speed rail network was paralyzed by a “massive attack” that disrupted service for hundreds of thousands of passengers, officials said...

SNCF chairman and CEO Jean-Pierre Farandou told reporters that fiber optic cables at at least three locations had been set on fire. The cables were connected to signal boxes and other rail infrastructure, he said.

The attacks appeared to have been coordinated with the intention of causing massive disruption to the country’s rail network, he added.

Wall Street Journal

Lead headline at their site, and also lead story on CBS Radio News (5A CT).

I'm sorry, but these Games should have simply been history after '72 and Munich. So far as my TV viewing, "wake me when they are over".

Gilbert B Norman wrote: ↑Fri Jul 26, 2024 7:10 am Wall Street Journal

Lead headline at their site, and also lead story on CBS Radio News (5A CT).

I'm sorry, but these Games should have simply been history after '72 and Munich. So far as my TV viewing, "wake me when they are over".

Heard it on NBC's Today show first, although it's been carried by some local news. I hope they can get repairs in time.

My first reaction was how is this different from other days when the network is crippled due to strikes. I spent a week in France and every day there were disruptions and cancellations due to strikes.

I am a fan of the Olympics though.

Moved by an admin to Worldwide Railfan.

For reasons unknown, the original topic relating to the sabotage on the SNCF TGV lines occurring on the eve of the Olympics has been closed for discussion, so this topic is being originated to report further developments in this matter.

France 24, which appears to be a counterpart to our CPB, reports that all lines affected - all TGV lines to Paris save that from Montpellier where the saboteurs were caught - will be restored Sunday, July 28, and that normal service will resume on Monday:

https://www.france24.com/en/france/2024 ... nce-trains

Fair Use:

France's national rail operator said on Sunday that repairs to its network damaged by sabotage attacks was "fully completed" and there would be "no more delays" for travellers from Monday morning.

The situation on the main western line from Paris was "practically normal" and "three out of four" high-speed TGV trains were running on the main northern line from the capital city, "without any increase in travel time from now on", the SNCF said in a statement.

It remains unclear who carried out the three attacks overnight Thursday to Friday on rail infrastructure and if they were deliberately timed to disrupt the Olympics opening ceremony that took place later that day.

Lest we forget, the overwhelming majority of French have normal lives, such as getting to and from work, to live - this Olympic nonsense notwithstanding. To the extent they were able, many have simply bailed out of Paris "for the duration" staying wherever (relatives or hotels) and only entering the city to, say, get to work.

I guess these disruptions, including here in Chicago, the NASCAR street race and upcoming the Lollapalooza concert (if you care to call it that) are all part of residing in a major city. Just as glad that I reside in a suburb.

Concise reporting by Gray Lady, which confirms "it's back to normal", or in about six hours from this writing:

Fair Use:

France’s national railway company said traffic was gradually returning to normal a day after arsonists disrupted three high-speed rail lines. But who was behind the attacks remains mysterious.

UK news outlet Sky News reports that France's cellular network is now the "target' du jour":

Fair Use:

.Vandals target French telecoms network days after railways sabotage ahead of Paris Olympics
Landline and mobile services were affected following the attack on France's telecoms network, which comes days after vandals used explosive devices to set off fires on major railway lines around the country.

When are these nonsensical "games" going to be consigned to the history books? Wake me when they are over so I can go back to NBC as my primary TV news source? CBS will need do while I'm "in exile".

Gilbert B Norman wrote: ↑Mon Jul 29, 2024 7:18 am UK news outlet Sky News reports that France's cellular network is now the "target' du jour":

Fair Use:

.Vandals target French telecoms network days after railways sabotage ahead of Paris Olympics
Landline and mobile services were affected following the attack on France's telecoms network, which comes days after vandals used explosive devices to set off fires on major railway lines around the country.

When are these nonsensical "games" going to be consigned to the history books? Wake me when they are over so I can go back to NBC as my primary TV news source? CBS will need do while I'm "in exile".

But, Then you'll never know who is the World Breakdancing champ.

Like I care, Mr. Scratchy!!!!

Well guess what Mr. Scratchy, appearing on the front page of both my Times and Journal this morning were competitors in this Break Dancing "event". I think a Japanese gal got the Gold.

Oh well, only two more days to go with this "terrorist bait", then I can go back to my usual NBC Nightly News and Lester Holt (CBS has been my substitute). So far, I think "they've got off lucky"; the TGV signal sabotage resulted only in delays, and no injuries. The cellular tower incidents turned out to be minor in scope.

Gilbert B Norman wrote: ↑Sat Aug 10, 2024 6:25 am Well guess what Mr. Scratchy, appearing on the front page of both my Times and Journal this morning were competitors in this Break Dancing "event". I think a Japanese gal got the Gold.

Oh well, only two more days to go with this "terrorist bait", then I can go back to my usual NBC Nightly News and Lester Holt (CBS has been my substitute). So far, I think "they've got off lucky"; the TGV signal sabotage resulted only in delays, and no injuries. The cellular tower incidents turned out to be minor in scope.

Unrelated to thread, but part of appeal is seeing other cultures reinterpretation of hip-hop. Musically, it can be very interesting.
Or, comically very off. (Google Japanese Spiderman for very unique take on franchise)
But yeah, it looks like it was just a minor inconvenience, to travelers.

Oh well, this nonsense has been put to bed for another four years; now I can get back to my regular NBC Nightly News (Lester Holt started out in Chicago). Considering that the signaling sabotage on the SNCF TGV lines resulted in no injuries and the disruption was short lived, "they skated". Will they be so lucky in LA?

Now what I find humorous is this plan they have to make the '28 LA games public transportation accessible - and preferably by rail.

Fair Use:

PARIS (AP) — Traffic. What will you do about notorious gridlocked Los Angeles traffic? That’s the one burning question repeatedly posed to Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass as she prepares to receive the Olympic flag ahead of the 2028 Summer Games.

“A no-car Games,” Bass said Saturday.

Huh?

Bass and Casey Wasserman, chairman of the LA 2028 organizing committee, highlighted some of the planning already completed before Paris organizers hand the Games over to them during Sunday’s closing ceremony. Bass was preemptive about the traffic, addressing it in her opening remarks.

Oh well, tune in come '28 to see if this "terrorist bait", in which half the "events" can best be characterized as "performances" (highly skilled, don't get me wrong on that point) rather than competitive sport (Break Dancing a competitive sport, huh?) can "get lucky" as apparently was the case with Paris.