Mr Pepy argued that the accident - "unique" in railway history - could be explained by a problem of "metallurgical character" and a possible defect in the steel, during a hearing lasting more than three hours where he appeared at times moved to tears.

This thesis has already been rejected by the investigating magistrates during the seven years of investigation, but will again be defended by the SNCF during the trial scheduled until June 17.

"I do not believe that a context of the aging of the network or of badly done traceability, or of bad organization, is a robust and scientific tree of causes" to explain the drama which left seven dead and more than 400 injured, said the 63-year-old former boss at the bar, taking note of the questions from the president and the lawyers on a notebook.

On July 12, 2013, the reversal of a steel splint - a sort of large staple joining two rails - had derailed an Intercités Paris-Limoges train, at Brétigny-sur-Orge station (Essonne).

Derailment of the Paris-Limoges Intercity train at Brétigny-sur-Orge station on July 12, 2013 ROMAIN DA COSTA AFP / Archives

The court of Evry judges for eight weeks the National SNCF Company, SNCF Network and a railway executive for "involuntary homicides" and "involuntary injuries".

Mr. Pepy, heard as a witness, "acquired the conviction that traceability was not well done in Brétigny, that the organization of maintenance was not optimal and that the SNCF was not doing its job well".

However, these “regrettable elements of context” do not constitute, in his eyes, “a real tree of causes”, affirmed the former leader with white hair, in a dark blue suit.

But, "when the parts wear out, they can give way at any moment", pointed out the president of the chamber, Cécile Louis-Loyant.

“It may seem surprising that the cause of dilapidation hits you so hard, makes you doubt?”, she relaunched.

"Aging does not mean dangerousness of the network", replied Mr. Pepy, insisting on safety as "daily DNA" of railway workers.

"Be transparent"

"It is necessary that (the network) be the subject of maintenance work so that it remains in conformity with the standards", or "if we do not have the means" to renew the track, "we must degrade the performance of the network “by reducing the speed of the train, for example, continues Mr. Pepy.

To preserve safety, in the case of Brétigny and the Paris-Limoges line, "we slowed the journeys from 3 hours to 3:45".

Mr. Pepy was also questioned about the course of the investigation, the investigating judges having deplored the difficulties in collecting essential documents from the SNCF.

They also regretted that the majority of the agents had been heard, before their hearings, by the company's legal department "to receive instructions", in the words of the judges.

The instruction had, moreover, been complicated by the theft of the railway worker's computer, then found with an empty hard drive – the dismissal pronounced in this case is appealed.

"At the time of the disaster, we told the whole company to be transparent even if it was going to be painful. (...) I remember saying it and writing it," replied Mr. Pepy.

“Never were instructions given on anything, it would be a considerable stupidity”.

The former boss had shown emotional involvement at the time of the tragedy and launched a national campaign to control track devices.

At the helm, he recognized an "infinite moral responsibility" of the SNCF.

Before adding: "I have no opinion on criminal liability".

At the start of the hearing, he wanted to express his "very deep compassion and total solidarity" towards the victims, whose "suffering" is of "violence that cannot be erased".

In 2013, a family of a deceased had learned of the death in the press.

When their lawyer questions Mr. Pepy on the subject on Thursday, the latter flinches.

Shedding a few tears, he catches his breath: "This question, extremely painful, does not concern the SNCF but the State" because "the carrier" cannot "publish a list of victims".

© 2022 AFP