French railway operator Societe National des Chemins de Fer, or SNCF, and channel tunnel operator Groupe Eurotunnel SA (GET.FR) Wednesday said they have acquired water, waste and energy services group Veolia Environnement SA's (VE) rail freight operator Veolia Cargo.

No financial details of the transaction were provided, but the companies said that Veolia Cargo reported EUR188 million in revenue in 2008.

A spokesman for Eurotunnel told Dow Jones that the parties involved are not giving financial details as the deal is still subject to approval from competition authorities.

When Veolia announced it was in exclusive talks with SNCF and Eurotunnel at the end of July, it said the transactions would reduce its debt by EUR95 million.

SNCF will take over the rail companies based in Germany, the Netherlands and Italy, while Eurotunnel is acquiring the French branch of Veolia Cargo, the companies said.

Company Web site: www.veolia.com

- By William Horobin, Dow Jones Newswires; +33 1 4017 1740; william.horobin@dowjones.com