ben racey Posted July 16, 2011 Share Posted July 16, 2011 Hi All, Just back from a lovely couple of weeks in France. It wasn't a railway holiday, but thanks to a very patient Mrs Racey I managed a few railway bits. See below..... First off are a few photos from the CF Blanc Argent. We tried to do this initially on a lunch time out and back from Romorantin to Valencay. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ben racey Posted July 16, 2011 Author Share Posted July 16, 2011 Ahem, right now I know how the picture uploader works, I'll keep going! We initially planned to head out to Valencay from Romorantin in the Loire on the Wednesday on the metre gauge SNCF operated 'Blanc Argent' line. Sadly due to the state of the track the booked railcar was replaced by a minibus, big thumbs down! However discussion with the staff established that the midday railcar would run on the saturday so we returned.... The track is an issue as the linespeed has been dropped from 70 km/h to 40 km/h. French online forums also reveal that there are issues around raising the necessary finance to repair the track. So always the advice is to go soon, as you never know how these things will last. Especially as it's a very nice trip out to Valencay, and the town there is nice, there's a car museum, town and a lovely chateaux - so plenty for everyone to enjoy! Photo shows the signal equipment outside the station at Romorantin. North end of the station at Romoratin, looking towards Salbris. New (ish...) railcar at Romorantin. There are, I think, Five of these - 4 in service and one demic at Romorantin in quite poor shape. These two appear to be the reserve power. But this is the acknowledged beast of the Line. CFBA no 13, according to wikipedia, rebuilt from a steam engine. Still in service or demic? Not sure, but nice to see! Above shot is taken out of the front of the railcar approaching the wayside station of Pruniers - a timeless scene! A few days later on we drove past the headquarters of the CF Bas Berry, in Ecuile, and despite it being a weekday, they had an engine in steam for a visiting french coach party. This line is beyond the operationa end of the CF Blanc Argent, and operates a section of it which SNCF have now closed. Needless to say, I managed a quick photo trip round the nice station and had a look at some of the railcars in store. Nice operation, but like so many french heritage lines it does have limited operating days..... CF Bas Berry No 11 outside the shed at Ecuile. Deutz diesel in the shed at Ecuile - very reminiscent of the irish 'G' class broad gauge diesel! Also in the Loire, well you can't go wrong with the Chateaux! One we visited at 'La Ferte St Aubin' has this 140C on display in the grounds. The chateaux itself is well worth a visit, chickens on the lawn, slightly down at heal, you can wander around everywhere - even play billiards in the drawing room! On oru way back we managed a visit to the CF Baie De La Somme, very impressed with this line. Photo below shows diesel 351 preparing to depart Noyelles, with what I think was the first train of the year, to Cayeaux! Close up of diesel 351 whilst running round. We did a trip out to St Valery with 351 - and I have to say it's a very throaty little loco! There's a a video of it leaving St Valery to Cayeaux here: http://www.youtube.com/user/benracey1?blend=2&ob=5#p/a/u/0/gFWXVvbHxc0 Our motive power on the return was an ex Reseau Breton 4-6-0 tank, no 332, and a very nice engine it is! Had a run back to Noyelles with it and the phots below show it running round at Noyelles in front of a couple of SNCF beasties, and the other steam engine that was also out that day. Anyhow, I hope these photos are of interest, thanks for looking! Regards Richard. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SNCF stephen Posted July 16, 2011 Share Posted July 16, 2011 Excellent pictures, thanks for sharing. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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