Chateau-Chinon is in the heart of the Morvan forest, and terminus for the ultimate remote standard gauge branch line. The small town of 2,500 inhabitants is located at an altitude of 510 metres (1,657ft) and 41 km ( 25 miles) west of Autun.
After completion of the line from Clamecy to Cercy-la-Tour in 1878, a steeply graded single track line 14 miles long was constructed and opened in 1889 to link Chateau-Chinon with Tamnay. At the terminus, a substantial station was built at the foot of the incline leading up to the town centre. A building for passengers, a freight shed and locomotive shed were provided. All have survived to the present day although now used for different purposes.
In 1904, a narrow gauge line was opened from Chateau-Chinon to Autun. The terminus stations were located next to the PLM stations. From Chateau-Chinon PLM the metre gauge line circled the north side of the town.
The little steam train was known as "le tacot" in view of the noise and rough ride provided. The little train averaged about 15 miles an hour. The line twisted and turned to serve every village and hamlet.
It was 50km (39 miles) long and in 1914, for example, there were three trains a day in each direction,
taking about 2 1/2 hours
The trains left Chateau-Chinon at 04.39, 11.05, 16.55. Trains left Autun at 06.20, 12.35, 17.24.
The line closed in 1932 and motor coaches were provided instead.
As for the PLM standard gauge branch line to Tamnay, it carried three passenger trains a day, of which one continued to Cercy-la-Tour. But in 1932, passenger services were transferred to road transport. The line remained open for freight, but after WWII tonnages declined. In 2003, the station area was transformed for transhipment of logs. The track was relaid and a tarmac surface put down for the road trucks.
However, on my visit in August 2004, the new yard was completely empty. Not a good sign for the future of this line.
It is reported that 70 wagons were processed during the whole of 2003 for a total of 3,200 tons.
In 1999, the freight shed still retained its original dimensions, but by 2004 some modifications had been made. The U 150 railcar on the right, left over from an aborted museum project, had disappeared by August 2004.
The lonely engine shed, no longer connected to any rail track has, after this photo was taken in 1999, acquired an ugly extension for an industrial purpose.
On August 22nd 2004, a special railcar excursion was organised from Auxerre to Chateau-Chinon. One of the 3 car X 72500 sets of Bourgogne Region was chartered. This is the first time that this unit had ventured along these freight only lines.
The charter train is seen here on arrival at Tamnay, prior to reversal to take the branch line up to Chateau-Chinon.
A few minutes from Chateau-Chinon, the charter train crosses a minor road at 30 kph with a small audience of connaisseurs, mindful of the rare spectacle, probably not to be repeated.
The X 72500 at the terminus of its journey, Chateau-Chinon, in front of the ex-PLM station building, with freight shed to the right.
August 22nd 2004
Another view showing, on the left, the original narrow gauge station for the "tacot" to Autun, long closed. The station building is now a café and night club.
[ CHEMINS DE FER RURAUX DE FRANCE ] 
