[ RURAL RAILWAYS IN FRANCECHEMINS DE FER RURAUX DE FRANCE ]

[ MONTLUCON - EYGURANDE-MERLINES ]

Photos in April 2007

On April 28th 2007, there was a photo special along this line from Montluçon to Eygurande-Merlines chartered by TRAM (1) and operated by CFHA (2) with X 2403.

There were 68 participants and here are some photos that I took during the stops.

We joined the line at Montluçon (PK 341) at 10.05 and made our first stop at Teillet-Argenty(PK 355).  The BV, nicely restored, is privately owned and fenced off.  The telegraph poles and wires are a feature of the line still.

Evaux-les-Bains (PK 369) was reached at 11.07 and we had 15 minutes here.  A large pile of ballast stone has been deposited on the station yard, a promising development.  The chestnut trees in flower make this one of the most attractive stations on the line.

Reterre (PK 378) is another privately owned station.  The goods shed remains in use with road access.  We are now nearly 40 km from Montluçon and it is 11.38 when we continue our journey.

Arrival at Auzances (PK 387) is through a cutting and this view is somewhat rare.

The archtypical French country railway view from the 1950's reproduced in 2007.

A view of some of the participants in action at Auzances.  It is 12.00 and the next train is due in just under three hours.  Time to continue our journey.

The remote station at Letrade ( PK 405).  Once a gare-bois, there is no activity here anymore.

Giat (PK 416) another privately owned BV in good shape but fenced off from the rare passengers for the two trains a day.

Our X 2400 is pictured on one of the sharp curves approaching Eygurande-Merlines, unfortunately the track is not in good state here.

Below, we have arrived at Eygurande-Merlines junction(PK 435) at 13.40 on time.

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copyright reserved / tous droits réservés  / J.G.Skinner text and photos / 2007

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On February 29th 2008, the line from Montluçon to Eygurande-Merlines was closed

and rail services were suspended indefinitely due to the poor state of the track. 

This is the second line to be closed in the Massif Central in a period of three months for the same reason.  The line from Volvic to Lapeyrouse was closed on December 8th 2007.