Russian Railways SNCF overnight train. Previously shelved plans to modify the Russian long-distance sleeper train design for use by the French rail authority SNCF are to be revived, Russian Railways (RZD) President Vladimir Yakunin said this week after reaching an agreement with SNCF president Guillaume Pepy. “Given the huge distances in Russia, we still use these trains very extensively while in Europe they are disappearing gradually, but we will help France restore this type of railway services,” he said. “We will supply up-to-date coaches for the overnight routes that SNCF choses. The project will kick off before the end of the year.” ITAR-TASS