France's high-speed rail landscape is experiencing a historic transformation with the emergence of Proxima, now operating under the brand name Velvet. This groundbreaking venture represents France's first independent high-speed rail operator, challenging the decades-long dominance of state-owned SNCF and promising to revolutionize rail travel across the country. The Birth of a Vision The story of Proxima begins with two visionary co-founders: Rachel Picard, former director of SNCF Voyageurs, and Tim Jackson, both of whom recognized an opportunity to address the growing demand for high-speed rail services in France. Their ambitious project gained substantial backing from Antin Infrastructure Partners, a French private equity firm that committed to an initial investment of €1 billion to bring this vision to life. The company's origins trace back to 2024, when the founders identified a critical gap in France's high-speed rail market. Despite France being Europe's la...