Moves at Limoges and other French Photos

[EddieB]

Forgive me for posting some older pictures of Bordeaux Saint-Jean.  That trip was memorable in that my trusty Escort went "round the clock" (100,000 miles) while driving through Bordeaux.  It then disgraced itself by the (recently-fitted) dynamo packing up just outside Toulouse, driving through the night (with the Falklands War reports on BBC long wave for company) before the battery dying just outside a Ford garage in Lens.

 

 

 

[jamie92208]

Thanks for those pictures @EddieB.  I loved seeing those old electrics as my French Railways thread  shows. 

 

Jamie

[jamie92208]

Good evening from a somewhat cool Charente.   Andy and I managed an afternoon out yesterday, it was well worth it with quite a few trains and 4 lines in the book.  After seeing a couple of TGV' at speed we headed for Luxe where nothing was happening but this rather sad looking buffer stop was visible.

We then headed off to the nearby LGV maintenance depot at Villognon.  There was nothing on the depot but a bit further north I scrambled up a rather steep banking and saw this BROOM.  One of the two high speed inspection vehicles based there.

Next to it were a couple of G1206's one of which I needed.

Andy also needed one of them so despite his Gammy knee had to scramble up to see it.  With combined ages of 145 we should know better but numbers are numbers.   Then we headed to our usual spot and were rewqrded by an infra train of point carriers appearing with three locos.   First 22277

Then  67567 and 69286.

followed 5  minutes later 27017 went north with tankers and steel. Then a track machine headed south.  a     double TGV, 842  and 844 headed north from Angouleme 842 was another tick.   27005 came north with a long train of tanktainers.   Then an infra train came up with these two hauling it. 

A strange pairing.   The front was a rare beast a class 214, a heavily rebuilt class 211.   This was 214 003.  The other was a DE18 which also went in the book.    Just as we were about to go the northbound local appeared.   By chance it was a Limoges based unit and that was the fourth tick for the afternoon.   All in all a good afternoon out.

 

Jamie

[eastwestdivide]

On 23/11/2023 at 21:04, jamie92208 said:

saw this BROOM.  One of the two high speed inspection vehicles based there.

Had to google that - Bimoteur Rapide d'Observation et d'Ouverture par la Maintenance 

[jamie92208]

2 hours ago, eastwestdivide said:

Had to google that - Bimoteur Rapide d'Observation et d'Ouverture par la Maintenance 

Mike @Stationmaster had told me that several years abut I've slept since then and could only remember the mnemonic.  Thanks.

 

Jamie

[jamie92208]

A cold but sunny day today and Andy and I managed to escape for an hour or few.  We got to our usual place and saw that the French equivalent of the orange army hard at work.   Well most of them seemed to be standing around on the southbound track.  We then heard a rhythmic sound and this machine was pushed past with two sets of hammers banging the rails.

This was followed by someone using another machine that had some sort of rotating blade attached.

 

No trains were moving but then we saw smoke and flames from the large gang just south of us.

Obviously Thermit welding taking place

Eventually at about 15.45 they were all summoned back to their vans

All of them were needed to lift the stuff onto various vans or leave them by the lineside.

5 minutes after the gate was locked this appeared.

A long steel train with 27047 and 75425 at the head.

10 minutes later a TGV went north onto the LGV and 10 minutes after that this infra train appeared.

22300, a 67/4, 69204 and another 67/4.   

5 minutes after that an EMU, 27595 appeared.  Very much out of area as it's home is Caen.

Despite the long wait for any trains we both enjoyed the afternoon.

 

Jamie

[jamie92208]

It's a long time since I last posted  so Bon Anne to you all.   I have been out a couple of times.   though we were i the UK over the holiday period.  Andy and I had a trip out this week and spent a rather cold afternoon at Poitiers.   There  was a distinct shortage of trains for much of the afternoon.  27018 went north with some vans and the a convoy of 5 light locos went north but got hidden by a parked TGV, sod it.    A Sybic a 7200, a 75000 and two others all in ghost livery.   Very frustrating.    However when we arrived 60024 and 25 were parked near the car park entance and 75409 was also nearby.   The two  60's then headed south and eventually came back with some grain hoppers.

They went north past another rake of hoppers

Then the rake was reversed onto the parked rake before 75409 came south the attach to the train.

Not a very productive day but we enjoyed ourselves.

 

Jamie

 

[jamie92208]

Good day to you all.   I managed an afternoon out last Friday.   I started off checking out the LGV maintenance base at Villognon.   The usual three shunters were there but both BROOM's were out side.

I then went to Luxe station to eat my lunch and found that the mid day locals were running.  They have been bus replacements for some time due to engineering work.   This appeared running south to Angouleme.  It's unusual to see a straight EMU rather than a Bi mode on these workings.

I was then surprised when this car train arrived at the time that a TGV normally appears..  186 313 doing the honours.

I decided to head north to our usual spot at Juille before the next train arrived. I'd only just got there when 27012 appeared on a steel train.   The next was TGV 204 heading north.

No more freight sadly but a new mid afternoon local arrived next.

 

And then a twin 800 class TGV.   Andy had joined me by this time so a good natter was had despite the lack of freights.

 

Jamie

 

[jamie92208]

Andy and I were allowed to play out last Thursday.  The altered timetables seem to be in force with only passenger workings till 5pm.  This Ouigo headed north.  Normally they are double.

Then at 2pm this appeared.

We don't see many 72XX' s on this line this was 7344.

 

And a few minutes later 186 131 appeared on the cars.

Then a long wait till 5pm when 27079 came north on LPG tanks.

And finally this little working.

22318 tugging 26028 and one coach.   possibly heading to Tours for maintenance

 

Jamie

[jamie92208]

Andy and I went up to Poitiers on Friday for a Model railway group meeting and afterwards came back to St Saviol to watch trains.   We weren't disappointed.

First off was a southbound log train that surprised us.  4053 was in charge.  We both needed it.

Then the  southbound local went past.

Followed by it's northbound counterpart.

Bothe the trains had quite a bit of custom joining and leaving.   Then a couple of northbound freights came and we both got two more locos in the book. a 27 and a 75.

 

All in all a good outing.

 

Jamie

 

[jamie92208]

Andy and I managed another afternoon out on Thursday.  We were joined at Juille by Tempete (Storm) Louis and had an afternoon of heavy rain and strong winds.   However there were also a few trains but for the first part of the afternoon there was no incentive to get out of the car to get wet.  

The Strasbourg bound TGV went north formed of 4407.  Then 27002 on a steel train followed by 186 341 on the car train.   That was a tick in the book.   We dared to have the passenger side window down long enough to get the number.

Then at 15,15  this appeared.

67615 heading north quite slowly.   This is what we could see through the windscreen with the wipers going.

A northbound double double,  two double deck TGV;s was next and at 16.46  27032 appeared with LPG tankers.  Another line in the book.

Finally a strange yellow object appeared in the sky and these came north at  after the two locals had passed.  the regular Infra working with 22367 towing 69224 and 67608.   The livery looked nice in the afternoon sun. Just two woagons.

Jamie

 

[jamie92208]

Andy and I were allowed out to play again on Friday and despite the rain had a good few hours down at Juille.   Not a lot of trains to see but 27053 turned up with a train of a few tankers plus a lot of steel wagons just after the rain stopped.

Neither of us had got a line in the book all afternoon but just before we left the repeater for Luxe changed which usually means that a southbound is approaching.   Suddenly I saw two E4000's in my rear view mirror coming south with the log train.   4019 and 4020.   Too quick for a photo but it was two line in the book for me.   A good end to the afternoon.

 

Jamie

[jamie92208]

I got out on Thursday last week, 14th March.   I went over the Ruffec to see how Andy was getting on after his knee replacement but he wasn't allowed out to play by the boss.  Before I called In I went to Ruffec station to see how the work in the yard was coming on.   The three non electrified sidings have been completely renewed and all the old sleepers and rails are stacked up for disposal.   This is the north end.

The sleepers are in the background at the right.   The new footbridge makes a good vantage point.

This is the view looking south and for a Brucie bonus I needed one of the Europorte G1000's no 1025.   1029 was the other.

This is the view looking north from the footbridge.   The long running loop rejoins the main line just before the recently renewed crossovers. The remaining electrified siding joins the loop just out of shot.

And here is one of the G1000#s

As I drove down into his village to see Andy I missed seeing a class 186 on a northbound car train by a few seconds.   I was about 200 yards too far away to get the number as it went across the road.

 

Then after commiserating with the invalid I headed down to Luxe and spent a pleasant afternoon sitting in the afternoon sun reading an Inspector Morse book as there were virtually no trains till at 16.40 27086 came north with the regular tankers and steel train.

Next the northbound local went past followed by 22287 running light engine.

Not many trains but a pleasant afternoon.

 

Jamie

[JeffP]

Do you know why they are spending money at those locations?

I gather the reason the Limoges to Angouleme line remains closed is due to a lack of money?

[jamie92208]

5 hours ago, JeffP said:

Do you know why they are spending money at those locations?

I gather the reason the Limoges to Angouleme line remains closed is due to a lack of money?

No it all seems a bit strange. There has been almost continuous works for the last couple of years but no apparent reason.  The sidings at Ruffec are alongside a huge distribution centre for Leclerc's but the chef du gare said the work was nothing to do with that.  As to the Angouleme Limoges line I thi k that they are trying to get the Region to make a substantial contribution. 

 

Jamie

Edited March 18 by jamie92208

[jamie92208]

Good afternoon from a sunny Charente.   It's now three weeks since Andy had is operation and his good lady allowed him to play out this week so on Thursday  I picked him up and we set off to our usual spot at Juille.   Nothing  appeared for the first two hours then at 16.07 this came up from the south.   The two G1000's that I had seen a fortnight earlier so there had possibly been some works south of Luxe.

One of those was a cop for Andy who had been going stir crazy in the three weeks without any train watching.

The at 16.30 the repeater for a southbound went out and 4 minutes later a real surprise appeared.

29002   a class 77 formerly with HHPI in Germany, which was a line in the book for both of us.  There are only about half a dozen of the class in France now. It was hauling cereal hoppers. Moo

The southbound local headed past at 17.05 then 27070 came north with a freight.

It was sugar containers on some very new looking wagons.

Another line in the book for me then it was closely followed by the northbound local.

Then at 17.25  these two came north.

67593 and 67413 heading north.

the repeater went out again so we waited for a southbound and 7356 leading 27007 which was dead in train headed south with a freight.

 

A good afternoon was had despite the long wait.

 

Jamie

Edited March 30 by jamie92208

[Foulounoux]

On 18/03/2024 at 07:42, JeffP said:

Do you know why they are spending money at those locations?

I gather the reason the Limoges to Angouleme line remains closed is due to a lack of money?

 

Well it made a debate in the national assembly last week   I follow the AngouLim page on Facebook and lots of activity including recent protest walk along the line.

Although most of the local chabanais posts this week were around the Vienne floods   apparently the river rose 4m rather quickly 

 

 

Colin

 

Edited April 1 by Foulounoux
Add video of debate

[jamie92208]

Good evening from a sunny Charente.   Andy and I have had a couple of afternoons out since my last post.

on 10th April I headed for Juille on my own and Andy joined me later.  There still wasn't a lot of traffic but a couple of freight arrived after 4.30pm.   The main ne of interest was this.

27008 on a solid train of Ambrogio wagons.   Possibly diverted from the normal route via Modane.

Then on Tuesday afternoon and Evening we were both allowed to play out and headed down to Angouleme after lunch hoping to see the cement train.   On arrival this olf friend was playing near the pointwork at the north of the station.

There was a tamper visible as well and they are obviously installing new pointwork by the signal box there.

We went onto the station and it was deserted with only a few units coming in from the south from  La Rochelle and Royan.

Then the orange army headed off and this appeared from the north, creeping over the newly ballasted points.

We were sitting well up Platform 2 on one of the glass waiting shelters which kept the rather cool breeze off us.  

We were able to see signals in both directions and the first freight f the afternoon appeared.

Heading north with a rake of steel wagons.

 

More tomorrow.

 

Jamie

Edited April 19 by jamie92208

[jamie92208]

Good moaning from a distinctly cool but dry Charente.  Some more photos from Tuesdays expedition to Angouleme.  A s mentioned, once the works train had headed off back to Ruffec things started happening.  After the freight this light engine appeared on the regular infra working.

An 81xxx had come in from the Saintes direction and was waiting to head back there on our platform line.

Meanwhile the tamper was having some attention after being parked up for the night.

I suspect that it's a specialised switch and crossing tamper.1

Then one of the few remaining Atlantique sets appeared on a working to Paris. About 20 minites late.

Then an 51xxx came in on the northbound working to Chatellarault via Poitiers.  These straight electrics are usually working around Bordeaux and don't head up our way very often.

Then another came south.

Plenty of activity after the very quiet start to the visit.

 

More tomorrow.

 

Jamie

[JeffP]

Interesting.

I wonder what the graffiti on the 81xxx means.

Amusing to see all the French folk well muffled up in coats, scarves, hats etc.

We often go to a local market on what would ne regarded as "mild" days in North Lincolnshire, and we are amused at how they all wrap up when we are often in sweatshirts or light jackets.

In North Lincs they'd be described as "nesh", unable to stand the cold.😆

[Ben B]

35 minutes ago, JeffP said:

Interesting.

I wonder what the graffiti on the 81xxx means.

 

 

According to google translate, it's "how how!" and Corsican. Guessing it's some kind of witty tag for the 'artist' but damned if I know the context... still, lucky he didn't get zapped writing that high up on the nose of an electric unit...

 

[jamie92208]

After domestic and garden duties have been completed prior to visitors arriving I've got chance to sit down and upload another episode.

 

Next up was this with three locos. One live the other two dead in train.  We think this is so that they can act as last mile power at the destination.  27069 followed by 60096 and then 75443.   All three cops for Any and I.

The 75 was followed by some tankers.

American viewers will be familiar with the owner of the tank cars.

This was followed by another 27 with a long string of Millet rail stone hoppers.

 

Then a lovely beast, one of my favourite diseasals an E4000, 4043,  another line in the book for me.  Took me to 48% of the class.

The 4000 was pulling a long string of container wagons.

It was turning into a really good trip out.   Last few tomorrow.

 

Jamie

Edited Monday at 05:21 by jamie92208

[jamie92208]

Good moaning from  a rather cool Charente where I now have time to upload the last few photos from last Tuesday at Angouleme.   

 

As the sun dipped Andy remarked that the only class that we hadn't seen was a 186 lo and behold 1186 180 appeared heading south.

Then  22388 headed north with more containers.

one of the few remaining Atlantique sets headed south.  I have head that they are having to be kept in service due to late deliveries of the new TGV M's

Finally as the light was going and it was time for us to head home another 186 non 313 came north.

 

All in all a very pleasant and productive afternoon.

 

Jamie

[jamie92208]

On Wednesday this week my good lady went into hospital in Angouleme for a shoulder replacement.   It's just over 42 miles each way and of course as a dutiful spouse I have visited every day.   Every cloud though has a silver lining and I have spent the late afternoons on the station watching whatever trains are running.   The works at the northern end of the station are still ongoing so nothing run till after 4pm when the orange army head home.   On Wednesday the cement train was waiting to head south when I got there behind 4033.    However at 16.58 an infra train appeared with 22302 leading.

Behind it, being towed dead, were 67513, 22383 and 67567

Not much train though.   The low speed restriction at the north end meant that everything comes quite slowly through the platform.   The Limoges bay was occupied though.

27016 was in a freight loop waiting for a path behind the local that left at 17.17

Then at 18.02 27091 with 60023 DIT headed north.

A nd parked in the yard were two G 1206's, nos 769-4 and 768-6 lettered for R Vechetti.   those and the 60's got me three lines in the book.

I waited another hour or so but nothing else of interest came.

 

Jamie

 

Edited 10 hours ago by jamie92208

[jamie92208]

Thursday was the day of her op so after visiting I went down to the station again on my way home.  I arrived to a chaotic car park as a southbound TGV from Paris was due. After managing to avoid a middle aged lady going the wrong way round the car park, I found a slot and headed for the platform as the cement train was just setting off as the TGV cleared the station.   I managed to grab this shot.

A rare beast a 77, no 29001.   That's three out of a class of 6 in France.

I got sorted and headed up the platform to my usual spot and a Yo Yo had appeared in the yard obviously shunting ballast wagons.  608205 based at Bordeaux.

A 27 was in the yard waiting to head north.

An hour later a G1206 came south.

The Atlantiques are still seen regularly, here is one heading to Paris.

The at 17.58 a freight appeared with 27065 towing 75402.   Two more lines in the book.

 

That headed north and brought my day to a close.

I went again yesterday but forgot my camera.   4033 had returned with the cement train and a log train came south behind 4047.   I also saw my first sybic for a while as 26180 came north with a long string of empty GEFCO car carriers.    

 

Jamie