Réseau Breton
Encyclopedia
The Réseau Breton is a standard gauge
, and former metre gauge
railway in Finistère
, France
, with a few kilometres of line in Côtes du Nord, Ille-et-Vilaine
and Morbihan
. The hub of the system was Carhaix
. The metre gauge lines were built with the capacity to be easily converted to standard gauge if necessary.
and granite
also took place. Forests in inland areas had previously supplied timber for construction of buildings and shipbuilding
at the larger coastal ports, but this industry had largely declined as the source material was exhausted and the land turned over to agriculture. Apart from roads, the first transportation system constructed in Brittany was the Canal de Nantes à Brest
, started in 1811 and completed in 1842. Although the canal could carry high volumes of freight, it was slow, relying on horse-drawn barges.
railways in Brittany were the Chemin de Fer de Paris à Orléans (CF PO) line from Paris
to Quimper, which was completed in 1863 and the Chemins de Fer de l'Ouest
(CF de l'Ouest) line from Paris
to Brest
, which was completed in 1865. The CF PO built a line from Quimper to Châteaulin
and Landerneau
, where it connected with the CF PO. This line was completed in 1867. The CF PO built a line from Auray
to Pontivy
, which was completed in 1864. In 1872, the CF de l'Ouest built a line from Saint Brieuc to Pontivy, where it connected with the CF PO line. These lines left central Brittany an area devoid of railways, and served only by the Canal de Nantes à Brest.
In 1880, the concession to build an Intérêt Générale system in Brittany
was given to the CF de l'Ouest. It was agreed that the lines would be built to metre gauge
, but provision would be made for conversion to standard gauge should the need arise. Morlaix
would be the administrative headquarters, but Carhaix would be the main station, with engineering workshops, locomotive depôt and carriage workshops. The first line opened in 1891 and further extensions until 1925 gave the network a total length of 428 kilometres (265.9 mi) of metre gauge line. The lines closed to passengers in 1939, but with the replacement buses being requisitioned at the outbreak of the Second World War the passenger service was resumed, with a couple of trips daily on each line. The RB saw an increase in freight traffic, being used to transport materials for the Atlantic Wall
. After the war, passenger services were gradually withdrawn, and all metre gauge lines closed on 9 April 1967 with the section between Carhaix - Guingamp having been converted to dual gauge in 1924 and converted to standard gauge in 1953, and Carhaix - Paimpol, closed in February 1967 for conversion to standard gauge in 1967, remaining open.
The 49 kilometres (30.4 mi) line from Carhaix
to Morlaix opened on 28 September 1891. Carhaix station was the headquarters of the RB. All five lines that made up the main RB system originated from Carhaix. The station is located to the east of the town. In common with many of the station on the RB, Carhaix was architecturally similar to may CF de l'Ouest stations.
The lines of the RB were mainly built with Moroccan
labour. Many of the stations were not in the settlements they purported to serve. Often a double-barrelled name indicated that the station lay between two places. Leaving Carhaix, the railway shared the trackbed with the line to Guingamp until it curved to the left and crossed the D787 road. The first station was Plounézéval Halte, (5.6 km (3.5 mi)). The halt actually stood in Le Frostel, some 2.5 km (1.6 mi) from Plounézéval. Pouallaouen (10.8 km (6.7 mi)) was the next station. The Ulne was crossed on a high stone arch bridge
before Huelgoat-Locmaria (15.8 km (9.8 mi)) was reached. This station stood in Locmaria-Berrien and was some (6 km (3.7 mi)) from Huelgoat. The d'Argent was crossed by a steel
bridge before Kervallon Halte (19.8 km (12.3 mi)) was reached. Here, the line passed to the east of the Forêt Domaniale de St-Ambrose. Scrignac-Berrien station (23.6 km (14.7 mi)) was about (5 km (3.1 mi)) from Scrignac and Berrien. Kermarzin (27 km (16.8 mi)) and Le Cloître-Lannéanou (32.8 km (20.4 mi)) stations were followed by the summit of the line (over 210 metres (689 ft)) before Ploungonven-Plourin (39.5 km (24.5 mi)) was reached.
At Morlaix the line was shared with the CF de l'Ouest's standard gauge
dual gauge line between Paris
and Brest
. A dual gauge
section of track was laid on the up line
on the viaduct
across the harbour. This was built by the CF de l'Ouest as part of their Paris - Brest line. The viaduct crossed the Chemins de Fer Armoricains (CFA) Morlaix - Plestin-les-Grèves line. A platform at Morlaix was shared with the standard gauge. A branch was opened on 12 February 1906 to serve the port at Morlaix. Freight traffic beyond Plougonver ceased from 25 September 1962. The line between Carhaix and Morlaix closed completely on 9 April 1967.
The 53 kilometres (32.9 mi) line from Carhaix to Guingamp opened on 24 September 1893, and was extended a further 37 km (23 mi) to Paimpol on 14 August 1894. The line between Guingamp and Paimpol was converted to dual gauge
in the early 1920s with the addition of a third rail for standard gauge
traffic. The standard gauge line opened to traffic on 24 May 1924. When the extra rail was added, gangs started from each end of the line, laying the extra rail to the left as they were facing the line. They met near Lancerf, where an arrangement had to be arranged to allow the metre gauge track to switch sides. This was known as the Sauterelle (Grasshopper
), the term being a corruption of saut rail (to jump the rails). The sauterelle had to be approached slowly. In 1953, the metre gauge rail was removed between Guingamp and Paimpol, the line operating as standard gauge since then. The metre gauge line between Carhaix and Guingamp closed on 14 February 1967, re-opening as a standard gauge line on 3 July 1967.
The first station is Carnoët-Locarn (5.6 km (3.5 mi)), the station being nowhere near either village. Le Plenity Halte (13 km (8.1 mi)) is next. Although plans were made to upgrade this to station status and provide full facilities, these were not carried out. Callac (20.3 km (12.6 mi)) is next, followed by Le Mais Halte (25.2 km (15.7 mi)). Plougonver (29.6 km (18.4 mi)) and Pont Melvez (34.5 km (21.4 mi)) stations are followed by Coat-Guégen Halte (37.8 km (23.5 mi)). Moustéru station (42.1 km (26.2 mi)) is the last before Guingamp (53.3 km (33.1 mi)). At Guingamp there were loco sheds
and facilities to service metre and standard gauge rolling stock. There is a connecton with the standard gauge Paris - Brest line.
Guingamp station
had a connection with the Chemin de Fer des Côtes-du-Nord
(CdN) Guingamp - Plouha
and Guingamp - St. Nicolas du Pélem
lines. Gourland station (55.8 km (34.7 mi)) is next, followed by Trégonneau-Squiffec (63.3 km (39.3 mi)) then Brélidy-Plouëc (68.6 km (42.6 mi)), which is nearer to La Belle Eglise than Brélidy or Plouëc de Trieux. Plouëc had a connection with the CdN Plouëc - Tréguier
line. Leaving Brélidy-Plouec, the line heads for the Trieux. After leaving Pontrieux Halte (73.8 km (45.9 mi)), the Trieux is crossed by a six-arch viaduct
before Pontrieux (74.9 km (46.5 mi)) is reached. A branch here served the port. The Leff is crossed by a steel bridge on the approact to Frynadour (79.6 km (49.5 mi)). Lancherf (84.3 km (52.4 mi)) and Plounez (87.4 km (54.3 mi)) are next, before the terminus at Paimpol Station
(90.2 km (56 mi)). A branch at Paimpol served the port. Next to the RB station was a CdN station which served the Paimpol - Tréguier and Paimpol - Plouha lines. The CdN line between Paimpol and Tréguier crossed the branch to the port on a flat crossing.
- Brest road was crossed by a skew bridge. The railway crossed the Canal de Nantes à Brest
before Port de Carhaix station (5.7 km (3.5 mi)) was reached. On leaving Port de Carhaix, the D769 road was crossed. Motreff (12.9 km (8 mi)) was the next station. It was (1.5 kilometre (0.93205910497471 mi)) from the town. Gourin station (20 km (12.4 mi)) was also the terminus of the Chemins de Fer du Morbihan (CM) line to Meslan
, although there was no direct link here between the two networks. Kerbiquet (25.5 km (15.8 mi)) was the next station, then Guiscriff (31.6 km (19.6 mi)), Scaër (37.1 km (23.1 mi)) and Coatloc'h (42.1 km (26.2 mi)) stations were followed by Kerneval Halte (46.3 km (28.8 mi)) before Rosporden station (49.75 km (30.9 mi)) was reached. Rosporden station had a connection with the standard gauge Chemin de Fer de Paris à Orléans (CF PO) Savernay - Landerneau
line and there was an end-on junction with the CFA Rosporden - Landivisiau
line.
The almost 130 kilometres (80.8 mi) long line from Carhaix to La Brohinière opened in sections between 1898 and 1904. Carhaix - Rostrenen opened on 15 May 1898. Rostrenen - St. Lubin-le-Vaublanc opened on 17 August 1904. St. Lubin-le-Vaublanc - Loudéac opened on 1 October 1904. Loudéac - La Brohinière opened on 12 August 1907. The line between Loudéac and La Brohinière closed to passengers in October 1953. The line closed entirely on 9 April 1967.
Leaving Carhaix, the line initially ran parallel to the Morlaix and Guingamp lines before climbing and heading east when the other two line curved away to the left. The line crossed the D20 road then followed the D49 road. Trébrivan - Le Moustoir Halte (6.5 km (4 mi)) was the first stop, followed by Maël Carhaix (12 km (7.5 mi)). On leaving Maël Carhaix, the line followed the D23 road. La Croix Madelaine Halte (17.3 km (10.7 mi)) was followed by Rostrenen (21.5 km (13.4 mi)). Rostrenen was the terminus of the CdN line from Saint-Nicolas-du-Pélem, the Cdn station was adjacent to the RB station. Plouguernével (27.2 km (16.9 mi)) was the next station. The Blavet
was crossed by a steel girder bridge before Gouarec station (33.6 km (20.9 mi)) was reached. A branch was opened on 1 June 1912 serving the port at Gouarec.
Bon Repos Halte (37.7 km (23.4 mi)) and Saint Gelven Halte (41.8 km (26 mi)) were followed by Caurel (45.7 km (28.4 mi)). Here, the railway ran high above the Lac de Guerlédan
. At Mûr de Bretagne (50.7 km (31.5 mi)), a branch served a quarry. After closure, the section of trackbed between Caurel and Mûr de Bretagne was used for the short-lived 5 km (3.1 mi) long Réseau Guerlédan, which opened on 2 July 1978. The next stations were St Guen (55.3 km (34.4 mi)) and St Caradec (64.6 km (40.1 mi)). Loudéac station (71.2 km (44.2 mi)) was shared with the CF de l'Ouest, lying on that company's
St Brieuc
- Pontivy
line. The CdN line from Plémy
also terminated at Loudéac. Full facilities were provided here, the turntable being a dual gauge one, shared with the CF de l'Ouest.
Leaving Loudéac, the line crossed the standard gauge CF de l'Ouest line on the level. Ganland Halte (76.5 km (47.5 mi)) was followed by La Chèze St Barnabé (80.5 km (50 mi)), Plémet La Prénassaye (85.1 km (52.9 mi)) and St Lubin le Vaublanc (87.4 km (54.3 mi)) stations. Le Carguier Halte (91.2 km (56.7 mi)) was followed by Laurenan (94.7 km (58.8 mi)), Merdrignac (104 km (64.6 mi)) and Trémorel (113.95 km (70.8 mi)) stations. After Loscouet Halte (116.9 km (72.6 mi)), the CF de l'Ouest's La Brohinière - Ploërmel line was crossed on the level before St Meén station (122.7 km (76.2 mi)) was reached. The RB then ran parallel to the CF de l'Ouest. Le Crouais Halte (126.6 km (78.7 mi)) was followed by the terminus at La Brohinière (129.3 km (80.3 mi)), where there was a connection with the CF de l'Ouest's Paris - Brest line.
The 109 kilometres (67.7 mi) line from Carhaix to Camaret opened in stages between 1893 and 1925, bringing the total extent of the RB to 428 km (265.9 mi). Carhaix - Pleyben opened on 30 August 1904. Pleyben - Châteaulin Ville opened on 4 August 1906. Châteaulin Ville - Châteaulin Gare opened on 11 August 1907. Châteaulin Gare - Crozon-Morgat opened on 13 August 1923. Crozon-Morgat - Camaret and Le Fret opened on 14 June 1925. Châteaulin Gare station had a connection with the CF PO Savernay - Landerneau
line. The line between Perros St. Fiacre and Le Fret closed to passengers in May 1946.
Between Carhaix and Port de Carhaix, the line ran parallel to the Carhaix - Rosporden line. This gave the impression of double track, but was operated as two separate single track lines. Leaving Port de Carhaix (5.7 km (3.5 mi)), the line crossed the D769 road and then followed the Canal du Nantes à Brest until St Hernin - Cléden Halte 11.9 km (7.4 mi)) was reached. The canal was followed until Spézet-Landeleau station 16.7 km (10.4 mi)), after which the Aulne
was crossed by a long steel bridge. The railway the began its ascent of the Monts d'Arreé. Kerivarc'h Halte 22.3 km (13.9 mi)) was followed by Châteauneuf du Faou 27.9 km (17.3 mi)), where the RB station lay alongside the CA station, which was on the CA's Landivisiau - Rosporden line. Leaving Châteauneuf du Faou, Langelet Halte 31.9 km (19.8 mi)) was followed by Lennon station 35.6 km (22.1 mi)) before Pleyben 41.1 km (25.5 mi)) was reached.
Saint Segal station 47.9 km (29.8 mi)) was followed by Port Launay 51.8 km (32.2 mi)), where the railway joined the Aulne, running along its east bank to Châteaulin Ville station 54.4 km (33.8 mi)), which was shared with the CF PO. Châteaulin Ville was on the CF PO Quimper - Landernau line. Leaving Châteaulin Ville, the RB line crossed the Aulne on a curving eleven-arch viaduct before Châteaulin Embranchement station 56.9 km (35.4 mi)) was reached. Here, the goods facilities were separated from the RB line by the standard gauge PO line.
Leaving Châteauneuf Embranchement, the D887 road was crossed by a high arch bridge. Kerhillac Halte 64.5 km (40.1 mi)) was followed by Plomodiern-Ploéven station 69.9 km (43.4 mi)). St Nicolas Pentrez station 75.6 km (47 mi)) was followed by Argol Halte 80.5 km (50 mi)) before Telgruc 83.1 km (51.6 mi)) and Tal-ar-Groas 89.1 km (55.4 mi)) stations were followed by Crozon-Morgat station 94.65 km (58.8 mi)). The next station was Perros-St Fiacre 99.4 km (61.8 mi)), which was the junction for the 3.6 km (2.2 mi)) branch to Le Fret, 103 km (64 mi)) from Carhaix. The main line continued to Penfrat Halte 102.7 km (63.8 mi)) before terminating at Camaret-sur-Mer, 105 km (65.2 mi)) from Carhaix.
During the Second World War, the line was sabotaged by the Resistance
. These incidents are recorded:-
diesel locomotive
was trialled on the RB, having previously been tested on the CF du Vivarais. Despite being given a more powerful engine, it was not a success.
In 1948, a Renault
railcar
with a 600 hp engine that had been destined for French Indo-China was tested on the RB for six months before being exported to Cameroon
. In 1951, two Floirat railcars were tested on the RB before being exported.
Preservation
Some twenty vehicles survive, including twelve on the Chemin de fer du Vivarais
and four on the CF du Velay.
Vehicles with a "f" in their numbers were equipped with a vacuum brake
. Non braked vehicles were through piped.
Preservation
Some twenty vehicles have been preserved, mostly vans. They can be found on the CF Blanc-Argent, CFBS, ACFCdN and MTVS.
Preservation
Six of the inspection cars have been preserved, including No.3 on the CF Blonay-Camay and No. 6 on the CF Touristique d'Ardèche.
T locomotives ex Saxony Railways class XI, built by Hartman between 1913 and 1918. In 1939, some 2-6-2
T locomotives were acquired. They were in service until 1953. After the war, some 2-8-0
locomotives by Baldwin
and Alco
were acquired. In 1956, some 4-6-0
locomotive are acquired from the CF PO, and in 1958, some 2-8-2
locomotives by Fives-Lille are leased. These are used until the end of steam in 1971.
Standard gauge
The standard gauge is a widely-used track gauge . Approximately 60% of the world's existing railway lines are built to this gauge...
, and former metre gauge
Metre gauge
Metre gauge refers to narrow gauge railways and tramways with a track gauge of . In some African, American and Asian countries it is the main gauge. In Europe it has been used for local railways in France, Germany, and Belgium, most of which were closed down in mid 20th century. Only in Switzerland...
railway in Finistère
Finistère
Finistère is a département of France, in the extreme west of Brittany.-History:The name Finistère derives from the Latin Finis Terræ, meaning end of the earth, and may be compared with Land's End on the opposite side of the English Channel...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, with a few kilometres of line in Côtes du Nord, Ille-et-Vilaine
Ille-et-Vilaine
Ille-et-Vilaine is a department of France, located in the region of Brittany in the northwest of the country.- History :Ille-et-Vilaine is one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution on March 4, 1790...
and Morbihan
Morbihan
Morbihan is a department in Brittany, situated in the northwest of France. It is named after the Morbihan , the enclosed sea that is the principal feature of the coastline.-History:...
. The hub of the system was Carhaix
Carhaix-Plouguer
Carhaix-Plouguer is a commune in the Finistère department in northwestern France.-Culture:The Vieilles Charrues Festival is held every year in mid-July....
. The metre gauge lines were built with the capacity to be easily converted to standard gauge if necessary.
Background
Brittany in the mid nineteenth century was a largely agricultural area. the quarrying of slateSlate
Slate is a fine-grained, foliated, homogeneous metamorphic rock derived from an original shale-type sedimentary rock composed of clay or volcanic ash through low-grade regional metamorphism. The result is a foliated rock in which the foliation may not correspond to the original sedimentary layering...
and granite
Granite
Granite is a common and widely occurring type of intrusive, felsic, igneous rock. Granite usually has a medium- to coarse-grained texture. Occasionally some individual crystals are larger than the groundmass, in which case the texture is known as porphyritic. A granitic rock with a porphyritic...
also took place. Forests in inland areas had previously supplied timber for construction of buildings and shipbuilding
Shipbuilding
Shipbuilding is the construction of ships and floating vessels. It normally takes place in a specialized facility known as a shipyard. Shipbuilders, also called shipwrights, follow a specialized occupation that traces its roots to before recorded history.Shipbuilding and ship repairs, both...
at the larger coastal ports, but this industry had largely declined as the source material was exhausted and the land turned over to agriculture. Apart from roads, the first transportation system constructed in Brittany was the Canal de Nantes à Brest
Canal de Nantes à Brest
The Nantes-Brest canal is a French canal which links the two cities of Nantes and Brest through inland Brittany. It was built during the 19th century and its total length is 385 km with 238 locks from coast to coast...
, started in 1811 and completed in 1842. Although the canal could carry high volumes of freight, it was slow, relying on horse-drawn barges.
Railways
The first standard gaugeStandard gauge
The standard gauge is a widely-used track gauge . Approximately 60% of the world's existing railway lines are built to this gauge...
railways in Brittany were the Chemin de Fer de Paris à Orléans (CF PO) line from Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
to Quimper, which was completed in 1863 and the Chemins de Fer de l'Ouest
Chemins de Fer de l'Ouest
The Compagnie des chemins de fer de l'Ouest , often referred to simply as L'Ouest or Ouest, was an early French railway company.- Birth of the company :...
(CF de l'Ouest) line from Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
to Brest
Brest, France
Brest is a city in the Finistère department in Brittany in northwestern France. Located in a sheltered position not far from the western tip of the Breton peninsula, and the western extremity of metropolitan France, Brest is an important harbour and the second French military port after Toulon...
, which was completed in 1865. The CF PO built a line from Quimper to Châteaulin
Châteaulin
Châteaulin is a commune in the Finistère department in the region of Brittany in north-western France. It is a sub-prefecture of the department.-Geography:...
and Landerneau
Landerneau
Landerneau is a commune in the Finistère department of Brittany in north-western France.It lies at the mouth of the Elorn River which divides the Breton provinces of Cornouaille and Léon, east of Brest...
, where it connected with the CF PO. This line was completed in 1867. The CF PO built a line from Auray
Auray
Auray is a commune located in the Morbihan department of Brittany in France. Inhabitants of Auray are called Alréens.-Geography:The city is surrounded by the communes of Crac'h to the south and west, Brech to the north and Pluneret to the east. It is crossed by the Loch, a small coastal river...
to Pontivy
Pontivy
Pontivy is a commune in the Morbihan department in Brittany in north-western France. It lies at the confluence of the river Blavet and the Canal de Nantes à Brest.-History:...
, which was completed in 1864. In 1872, the CF de l'Ouest built a line from Saint Brieuc to Pontivy, where it connected with the CF PO line. These lines left central Brittany an area devoid of railways, and served only by the Canal de Nantes à Brest.
In 1880, the concession to build an Intérêt Générale system in Brittany
Brittany
Brittany is a cultural and administrative region in the north-west of France. Previously a kingdom and then a duchy, Brittany was united to the Kingdom of France in 1532 as a province. Brittany has also been referred to as Less, Lesser or Little Britain...
was given to the CF de l'Ouest. It was agreed that the lines would be built to metre gauge
Metre gauge
Metre gauge refers to narrow gauge railways and tramways with a track gauge of . In some African, American and Asian countries it is the main gauge. In Europe it has been used for local railways in France, Germany, and Belgium, most of which were closed down in mid 20th century. Only in Switzerland...
, but provision would be made for conversion to standard gauge should the need arise. Morlaix
Morlaix
Morlaix is a commune in the Finistère department of Brittany in northwestern France. It is a sub-prefecture of the department.-Leisure and tourism:...
would be the administrative headquarters, but Carhaix would be the main station, with engineering workshops, locomotive depôt and carriage workshops. The first line opened in 1891 and further extensions until 1925 gave the network a total length of 428 kilometres (265.9 mi) of metre gauge line. The lines closed to passengers in 1939, but with the replacement buses being requisitioned at the outbreak of the Second World War the passenger service was resumed, with a couple of trips daily on each line. The RB saw an increase in freight traffic, being used to transport materials for the Atlantic Wall
Atlantic Wall
The Atlantic Wall was an extensive system of coastal fortifications built by Nazi Germany between 1942 and 1944 along the western coast of Europe as a defense against an anticipated Allied invasion of the mainland continent from Great Britain.-History:On March 23, 1942 Führer Directive Number 40...
. After the war, passenger services were gradually withdrawn, and all metre gauge lines closed on 9 April 1967 with the section between Carhaix - Guingamp having been converted to dual gauge in 1924 and converted to standard gauge in 1953, and Carhaix - Paimpol, closed in February 1967 for conversion to standard gauge in 1967, remaining open.
Carhaix - Morlaix
Gare de Carhaix
Gare de Carhaix is a railway station serving the town Carhaix-Plouguer, Finistère department, western France. The station was the hub of the Réseau Breton.-Services:-References:*...
to Morlaix opened on 28 September 1891. Carhaix station was the headquarters of the RB. All five lines that made up the main RB system originated from Carhaix. The station is located to the east of the town. In common with many of the station on the RB, Carhaix was architecturally similar to may CF de l'Ouest stations.
The lines of the RB were mainly built with Moroccan
Morocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
labour. Many of the stations were not in the settlements they purported to serve. Often a double-barrelled name indicated that the station lay between two places. Leaving Carhaix, the railway shared the trackbed with the line to Guingamp until it curved to the left and crossed the D787 road. The first station was Plounézéval Halte, (5.6 km (3.5 mi)). The halt actually stood in Le Frostel, some 2.5 km (1.6 mi) from Plounézéval. Pouallaouen (10.8 km (6.7 mi)) was the next station. The Ulne was crossed on a high stone arch bridge
Arch bridge
An arch bridge is a bridge with abutments at each end shaped as a curved arch. Arch bridges work by transferring the weight of the bridge and its loads partially into a horizontal thrust restrained by the abutments at either side...
before Huelgoat-Locmaria (15.8 km (9.8 mi)) was reached. This station stood in Locmaria-Berrien and was some (6 km (3.7 mi)) from Huelgoat. The d'Argent was crossed by a steel
Steel
Steel is an alloy that consists mostly of iron and has a carbon content between 0.2% and 2.1% by weight, depending on the grade. Carbon is the most common alloying material for iron, but various other alloying elements are used, such as manganese, chromium, vanadium, and tungsten...
bridge before Kervallon Halte (19.8 km (12.3 mi)) was reached. Here, the line passed to the east of the Forêt Domaniale de St-Ambrose. Scrignac-Berrien station (23.6 km (14.7 mi)) was about (5 km (3.1 mi)) from Scrignac and Berrien. Kermarzin (27 km (16.8 mi)) and Le Cloître-Lannéanou (32.8 km (20.4 mi)) stations were followed by the summit of the line (over 210 metres (689 ft)) before Ploungonven-Plourin (39.5 km (24.5 mi)) was reached.
At Morlaix the line was shared with the CF de l'Ouest's standard gauge
Standard gauge
The standard gauge is a widely-used track gauge . Approximately 60% of the world's existing railway lines are built to this gauge...
dual gauge line between Paris
Gare Montparnasse
Paris Montparnasse is one of the six large terminus railway stations of Paris, located in the Montparnasse area in the XIVe arrondissement. The station was opened in 1840, and rebuilt completely in 1969...
and Brest
Gare de Brest
Gare de Brest is the station serving Brest, France. It is the western terminus of the Paris–Brest railway. The new station, built above the town's harbour in 1932 on the site of its 1865 predecessor, includes a tall clock tower and a semi circle passenger hall...
. A dual gauge
Dual gauge
A dual-gauge or mixed-gauge railway has railway track that allows trains of different gauges to use the same track. Generally, a dual-gauge railway consists of three rails, rather than the standard two rails. The two outer rails give the wider gauge, while one of the outer rails and the inner rail...
section of track was laid on the up line
Railroad directions
Railroad directions are used to describe train directions on railroad systems. The terms used may be derived from such sources as compass directions, altitude directions, or other directions...
on the viaduct
Viaduct
A viaduct is a bridge composed of several small spans. The term viaduct is derived from the Latin via for road and ducere to lead something. However, the Ancient Romans did not use that term per se; it is a modern derivation from an analogy with aqueduct. Like the Roman aqueducts, many early...
across the harbour. This was built by the CF de l'Ouest as part of their Paris - Brest line. The viaduct crossed the Chemins de Fer Armoricains (CFA) Morlaix - Plestin-les-Grèves line. A platform at Morlaix was shared with the standard gauge. A branch was opened on 12 February 1906 to serve the port at Morlaix. Freight traffic beyond Plougonver ceased from 25 September 1962. The line between Carhaix and Morlaix closed completely on 9 April 1967.
Carhaix - Paimpol
Dual gauge
A dual-gauge or mixed-gauge railway has railway track that allows trains of different gauges to use the same track. Generally, a dual-gauge railway consists of three rails, rather than the standard two rails. The two outer rails give the wider gauge, while one of the outer rails and the inner rail...
in the early 1920s with the addition of a third rail for standard gauge
Standard gauge
The standard gauge is a widely-used track gauge . Approximately 60% of the world's existing railway lines are built to this gauge...
traffic. The standard gauge line opened to traffic on 24 May 1924. When the extra rail was added, gangs started from each end of the line, laying the extra rail to the left as they were facing the line. They met near Lancerf, where an arrangement had to be arranged to allow the metre gauge track to switch sides. This was known as the Sauterelle (Grasshopper
Grasshopper
The grasshopper is an insect of the suborder Caelifera in the order Orthoptera. To distinguish it from bush crickets or katydids, it is sometimes referred to as the short-horned grasshopper...
), the term being a corruption of saut rail (to jump the rails). The sauterelle had to be approached slowly. In 1953, the metre gauge rail was removed between Guingamp and Paimpol, the line operating as standard gauge since then. The metre gauge line between Carhaix and Guingamp closed on 14 February 1967, re-opening as a standard gauge line on 3 July 1967.
The first station is Carnoët-Locarn (5.6 km (3.5 mi)), the station being nowhere near either village. Le Plenity Halte (13 km (8.1 mi)) is next. Although plans were made to upgrade this to station status and provide full facilities, these were not carried out. Callac (20.3 km (12.6 mi)) is next, followed by Le Mais Halte (25.2 km (15.7 mi)). Plougonver (29.6 km (18.4 mi)) and Pont Melvez (34.5 km (21.4 mi)) stations are followed by Coat-Guégen Halte (37.8 km (23.5 mi)). Moustéru station (42.1 km (26.2 mi)) is the last before Guingamp (53.3 km (33.1 mi)). At Guingamp there were loco sheds
Motive power depot
Motive power depot, usually abbreviated to MPD, is a name given to places where locomotives are stored when not being used, and also repaired and maintained. They were originally known as "running sheds", "engine sheds", or, for short, just sheds. Facilities are provided for refuelling and...
and facilities to service metre and standard gauge rolling stock. There is a connecton with the standard gauge Paris - Brest line.
Guingamp station
Gare de Guingamp
Gare de Guingamp is a railway station serving the town Guingamp, Côtes-d'Armor department, western France. It is situated on the Paris–Brest railway. It is also an important station for the local railway network Réseau Breton.-Services:...
had a connection with the Chemin de Fer des Côtes-du-Nord
Chemin de Fer des Côtes-du-Nord
The Chemin de fer des Côtes-du-Nord , the Côtes-d'Armor today, was a metre gauge railway in Côtes-du-Nord, France, although there were a few kilometres of line in Finistère and Ille-et-Vilaine. The first lines opened in 1905 and final closure was in 1956...
(CdN) Guingamp - Plouha
Plouha
Plouha is a commune in the Côtes-d'Armor department in Bretagne in northwestern France.-Population:Inhabitants of Plouha are called plouhatins.-International relations:Plouha is twinned with Killorglin located in County Kerry, Ireland....
and Guingamp - St. Nicolas du Pélem
Saint-Nicolas-du-Pélem
Saint-Nicolas-du-Pélem is a commune in the Côtes-d'Armor department in Bretagne in northwestern France.-Population:Inhabitants of Saint-Nicolas-du-Pélem are called pélemois.-External links:*...
lines. Gourland station (55.8 km (34.7 mi)) is next, followed by Trégonneau-Squiffec (63.3 km (39.3 mi)) then Brélidy-Plouëc (68.6 km (42.6 mi)), which is nearer to La Belle Eglise than Brélidy or Plouëc de Trieux. Plouëc had a connection with the CdN Plouëc - Tréguier
Tréguier
Tréguier is a port town in the Côtes-d'Armor department in Brittany in northwestern France. It is the capital of the province of Trégor.-Geography:Tréguier is located 36 m. N.W. of Saint-Brieuc by road. The port is situated about 5½ m...
line. Leaving Brélidy-Plouec, the line heads for the Trieux. After leaving Pontrieux Halte (73.8 km (45.9 mi)), the Trieux is crossed by a six-arch viaduct
Viaduct
A viaduct is a bridge composed of several small spans. The term viaduct is derived from the Latin via for road and ducere to lead something. However, the Ancient Romans did not use that term per se; it is a modern derivation from an analogy with aqueduct. Like the Roman aqueducts, many early...
before Pontrieux (74.9 km (46.5 mi)) is reached. A branch here served the port. The Leff is crossed by a steel bridge on the approact to Frynadour (79.6 km (49.5 mi)). Lancherf (84.3 km (52.4 mi)) and Plounez (87.4 km (54.3 mi)) are next, before the terminus at Paimpol Station
Gare de Paimpol
Gare de Paimpol is a railway station serving the town Paimpol, Côtes-d'Armor department, western France.It's the terminus of the line from Guingamp.-Services:-References:* -See also:* Réseau Breton...
(90.2 km (56 mi)). A branch at Paimpol served the port. Next to the RB station was a CdN station which served the Paimpol - Tréguier and Paimpol - Plouha lines. The CdN line between Paimpol and Tréguier crossed the branch to the port on a flat crossing.
Carhaix - Rosporden
The 49.75 kilometres (30.9 mi) line from Carhaix to Rosporden opened on 2 August 1896. Leaving Carhaix, the N164 AngersAngers
Angers is the main city in the Maine-et-Loire department in western France about south-west of Paris. Angers is located in the French region known by its pre-revolutionary, provincial name, Anjou, and its inhabitants are called Angevins....
- Brest road was crossed by a skew bridge. The railway crossed the Canal de Nantes à Brest
Canal de Nantes à Brest
The Nantes-Brest canal is a French canal which links the two cities of Nantes and Brest through inland Brittany. It was built during the 19th century and its total length is 385 km with 238 locks from coast to coast...
before Port de Carhaix station (5.7 km (3.5 mi)) was reached. On leaving Port de Carhaix, the D769 road was crossed. Motreff (12.9 km (8 mi)) was the next station. It was (1.5 kilometre (0.93205910497471 mi)) from the town. Gourin station (20 km (12.4 mi)) was also the terminus of the Chemins de Fer du Morbihan (CM) line to Meslan
Meslan
Meslan is a commune in the Morbihan department of Brittany in north-western France.-References:* * -External links:* * *...
, although there was no direct link here between the two networks. Kerbiquet (25.5 km (15.8 mi)) was the next station, then Guiscriff (31.6 km (19.6 mi)), Scaër (37.1 km (23.1 mi)) and Coatloc'h (42.1 km (26.2 mi)) stations were followed by Kerneval Halte (46.3 km (28.8 mi)) before Rosporden station (49.75 km (30.9 mi)) was reached. Rosporden station had a connection with the standard gauge Chemin de Fer de Paris à Orléans (CF PO) Savernay - Landerneau
Landerneau
Landerneau is a commune in the Finistère department of Brittany in north-western France.It lies at the mouth of the Elorn River which divides the Breton provinces of Cornouaille and Léon, east of Brest...
line and there was an end-on junction with the CFA Rosporden - Landivisiau
Landivisiau
Landivisiau is a commune in the Finistère department of Brittany in north-western France.-International relations:It is twinned with Bideford in the southwest of the United Kingdom.-Population:...
line.
Carhaix - La Brohinière
Leaving Carhaix, the line initially ran parallel to the Morlaix and Guingamp lines before climbing and heading east when the other two line curved away to the left. The line crossed the D20 road then followed the D49 road. Trébrivan - Le Moustoir Halte (6.5 km (4 mi)) was the first stop, followed by Maël Carhaix (12 km (7.5 mi)). On leaving Maël Carhaix, the line followed the D23 road. La Croix Madelaine Halte (17.3 km (10.7 mi)) was followed by Rostrenen (21.5 km (13.4 mi)). Rostrenen was the terminus of the CdN line from Saint-Nicolas-du-Pélem, the Cdn station was adjacent to the RB station. Plouguernével (27.2 km (16.9 mi)) was the next station. The Blavet
Blavet
The Blavet river flows from central Brittany and enters the Atlantic Ocean on the south coast near Lorient. The river is canalized for most of its length and is navigable for smaller craft. It is part of Brittany's canal system and became more important when the western half of that system got cut...
was crossed by a steel girder bridge before Gouarec station (33.6 km (20.9 mi)) was reached. A branch was opened on 1 June 1912 serving the port at Gouarec.
Bon Repos Halte (37.7 km (23.4 mi)) and Saint Gelven Halte (41.8 km (26 mi)) were followed by Caurel (45.7 km (28.4 mi)). Here, the railway ran high above the Lac de Guerlédan
Lac de Guerlédan
Lake Guerlédan is an artificial lake in the centre of Brittany, France. It extends across the borders of the departments of Morbihan and Côtes-d'Armor, within the communes of Saint-Aignan, Morbihan and Mûr-de-Bretagne. At an elevation of 121 m, its surface area is 4 km². Lake Guerlédan is the...
. At Mûr de Bretagne (50.7 km (31.5 mi)), a branch served a quarry. After closure, the section of trackbed between Caurel and Mûr de Bretagne was used for the short-lived 5 km (3.1 mi) long Réseau Guerlédan, which opened on 2 July 1978. The next stations were St Guen (55.3 km (34.4 mi)) and St Caradec (64.6 km (40.1 mi)). Loudéac station (71.2 km (44.2 mi)) was shared with the CF de l'Ouest, lying on that company's
St Brieuc
Saint-Brieuc
Saint-Brieuc is a commune in the Côtes-d'Armor department in Brittany in northwestern France.-History:Saint-Brieuc is named after a Welsh monk Brioc, who evangelized the region in the 6th century and established an oratory there...
- Pontivy
Pontivy
Pontivy is a commune in the Morbihan department in Brittany in north-western France. It lies at the confluence of the river Blavet and the Canal de Nantes à Brest.-History:...
line. The CdN line from Plémy
Plémy
Plémy is a commune in the Côtes-d'Armor department in Bretagne in northwestern France.-Population:Inhabitants of Plémy are called plémytains or plémytens.-External links:*...
also terminated at Loudéac. Full facilities were provided here, the turntable being a dual gauge one, shared with the CF de l'Ouest.
Leaving Loudéac, the line crossed the standard gauge CF de l'Ouest line on the level. Ganland Halte (76.5 km (47.5 mi)) was followed by La Chèze St Barnabé (80.5 km (50 mi)), Plémet La Prénassaye (85.1 km (52.9 mi)) and St Lubin le Vaublanc (87.4 km (54.3 mi)) stations. Le Carguier Halte (91.2 km (56.7 mi)) was followed by Laurenan (94.7 km (58.8 mi)), Merdrignac (104 km (64.6 mi)) and Trémorel (113.95 km (70.8 mi)) stations. After Loscouet Halte (116.9 km (72.6 mi)), the CF de l'Ouest's La Brohinière - Ploërmel line was crossed on the level before St Meén station (122.7 km (76.2 mi)) was reached. The RB then ran parallel to the CF de l'Ouest. Le Crouais Halte (126.6 km (78.7 mi)) was followed by the terminus at La Brohinière (129.3 km (80.3 mi)), where there was a connection with the CF de l'Ouest's Paris - Brest line.
Carhaix - Camaret
Landerneau
Landerneau is a commune in the Finistère department of Brittany in north-western France.It lies at the mouth of the Elorn River which divides the Breton provinces of Cornouaille and Léon, east of Brest...
line. The line between Perros St. Fiacre and Le Fret closed to passengers in May 1946.
Between Carhaix and Port de Carhaix, the line ran parallel to the Carhaix - Rosporden line. This gave the impression of double track, but was operated as two separate single track lines. Leaving Port de Carhaix (5.7 km (3.5 mi)), the line crossed the D769 road and then followed the Canal du Nantes à Brest until St Hernin - Cléden Halte 11.9 km (7.4 mi)) was reached. The canal was followed until Spézet-Landeleau station 16.7 km (10.4 mi)), after which the Aulne
Aulne
The Aulne is a 140 km long river of Brittany in north-western France, flowing down the hills and emptying into the roadstead of Brest, one of the many fjord-like bays just south of Brest. The river is part of the Canal de Nantes à Brest, the navigation canal that once connected the city of Nantes...
was crossed by a long steel bridge. The railway the began its ascent of the Monts d'Arreé. Kerivarc'h Halte 22.3 km (13.9 mi)) was followed by Châteauneuf du Faou 27.9 km (17.3 mi)), where the RB station lay alongside the CA station, which was on the CA's Landivisiau - Rosporden line. Leaving Châteauneuf du Faou, Langelet Halte 31.9 km (19.8 mi)) was followed by Lennon station 35.6 km (22.1 mi)) before Pleyben 41.1 km (25.5 mi)) was reached.
Saint Segal station 47.9 km (29.8 mi)) was followed by Port Launay 51.8 km (32.2 mi)), where the railway joined the Aulne, running along its east bank to Châteaulin Ville station 54.4 km (33.8 mi)), which was shared with the CF PO. Châteaulin Ville was on the CF PO Quimper - Landernau line. Leaving Châteaulin Ville, the RB line crossed the Aulne on a curving eleven-arch viaduct before Châteaulin Embranchement station 56.9 km (35.4 mi)) was reached. Here, the goods facilities were separated from the RB line by the standard gauge PO line.
Leaving Châteauneuf Embranchement, the D887 road was crossed by a high arch bridge. Kerhillac Halte 64.5 km (40.1 mi)) was followed by Plomodiern-Ploéven station 69.9 km (43.4 mi)). St Nicolas Pentrez station 75.6 km (47 mi)) was followed by Argol Halte 80.5 km (50 mi)) before Telgruc 83.1 km (51.6 mi)) and Tal-ar-Groas 89.1 km (55.4 mi)) stations were followed by Crozon-Morgat station 94.65 km (58.8 mi)). The next station was Perros-St Fiacre 99.4 km (61.8 mi)), which was the junction for the 3.6 km (2.2 mi)) branch to Le Fret, 103 km (64 mi)) from Carhaix. The main line continued to Penfrat Halte 102.7 km (63.8 mi)) before terminating at Camaret-sur-Mer, 105 km (65.2 mi)) from Carhaix.
Pont l'Abbe - St. Guénolé
The line between Pont l'Abbe and St. Guénole, built to metre gauge, had been opened by the Chemin de Fer du Finistère, and closed before the Second World War. In 1947, it reopened as a standard gauge line for freight traffic, and closed in 1963.Carhaix - Paimpol
The metre gauge line between Guingamp and Paimpol was converted to dual gauge in 1924. With the removal of the metre gauge third rail in 1953, the line became standard gauge only between Guingamp and Paimpol. The conversion of the metre gauge line to standard gauge between Carhaix and Guingamp was completed on 3 July 1967.Wars
The RB was not much affected by the First World War, although some equipment was requisitioned.During the Second World War, the line was sabotaged by the Resistance
French Forces of the Interior
The French Forces of the Interior refers to French resistance fighters in the later stages of World War II. Charles de Gaulle used it as a formal name for the resistance fighters. The change in designation of these groups to FFI occurred as France's status changed from that of an occupied nation...
. These incidents are recorded:-
- 28 January 1944 - a train derailed at Pontrieux.
- 16 February 1944 - a locomotive and eight wagons derailed at Plouisy.
- 1 March 1944 - a locomotive and seven wagons derailed at Plouisy.
- 5 April 1944 - eight wagons derailed at Moustéru.
- During 1944, six locomotives and the bridge over the AulneAulneThe Aulne is a 140 km long river of Brittany in north-western France, flowing down the hills and emptying into the roadstead of Brest, one of the many fjord-like bays just south of Brest. The river is part of the Canal de Nantes à Brest, the navigation canal that once connected the city of Nantes...
were damaged.
Accidents
The RB had no major accidents. The majority of accidents being collisions with road vehicles at level crossings.Metre gauge steam locomotives
| Service Number | Manufacturer | Works Number | Wheel Arrangement | Class | Notes | Picture |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E201 | SACM Société Alsacienne de Constructions Mécaniques The Société Alsacienne de Constructions Mécaniques [Society of Alsatian mechanical engineering] was an engineering company with its headquarters in Mulhouse, Alsace which produced railway locomotives, textile and printing machinery, diesel engines, boilers, lifting equipment, firearms and mining... , Belfort Belfort Belfort is a commune in the Territoire de Belfort department in Franche-Comté in northeastern France and is the prefecture of the department. It is located on the Savoureuse, on the strategically important natural route between the Rhine and the Rhône – the Belfort Gap or Burgundian Gate .-... |
4259/1892 | 2-4-0T 2-4-0 Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, 2-4-0 represents the wheel arrangement of two leading wheels on one axle, four powered and coupled driving wheels on two axles, and no trailing wheels.... |
Type 98 | Weight 21 tonnes, boiler pressure 11 atmospheres Standard atmosphere Standard atmosphere may refer to:* A standard reference value for air pressure:** Atmosphere , an approximation of the value at sea level** Atmospheric pressure, other reference values* A model of how atmospheric pressure varies with altitude:... (160 psi Pounds per square inch The pound per square inch or, more accurately, pound-force per square inch is a unit of pressure or of stress based on avoirdupois units... ). Withdrawn 1946. |
|
| E202 | SACM, Belfort | 4260/1892 | 2-4-0T | Type 98 | Withdrawn 1954. | |
| E203 | SACM, Belfort | 4261/1892 | 2-4-0T | Type 98 | Withdrawn 1952 and sold by scrap merchants to a quarry at Mûr de Bretagne where it worked until the quarry closed in 1959. Scrapped in 1962. | |
| E204 | SACM, Belfort | 4462/1893 | 2-4-0T | Type 98 | Badly damaged in collision with a German army lorry in 1942. Frames damaged beyond repair. Scrapped, but boiler reused on CFDF locomotive No 9, which took number E204 and entered service with the RB. | |
| E205 | SACM, Belfort | 4463/1893 | 2-4-0T | Type 98 | Withdrawn 1946. | |
| E206 | SACM, Belfort | 4464/1893 | 2-4-0T | Type 98 | Withdrawn 1954. | |
| E207 | SACM, Belfort | 4465/1893 | 2-4-0T | Type 98 | Withdrawn 1946. | |
| E208 | SACM, Belfort | 4466/1893 | 2-4-0T | Type 98 | Withdrawn 1954. | |
| E209 | SACM, Belfort | 4467/1893 | 2-4-0T | Type 98 | Withdrawn 1952. | |
| E210 | Franco Belge Société Franco-Belge The Société Franco-Belge de Matériel de Chemins de Fer was a French engineering firm that specialised mainly in the construction of railway vehicles and their components and accessories. Its was based at Raismes in the Département Nord in France... , Raismes Raismes Raismes is a commune in the Nord department in northern France.-References:*... |
1068/1897 | 2-4-0T | Type 98 | Withdrawn 1952. | |
| E211 | Franco-Belge, Raismes | 1069/1897 | 2-4-0T | Type 98 | Withdrawn 1956. | |
| E212 | Franco-Belge, Raismes | 1070/1897 | 2-4-0T | Type 98 | Withdrawn 1956. | |
| E213 | Franco-Belge, Raismes | 1071/1897 | 2-4-0T | Type 98 | Withdrawn 1952. | |
| E214 | Franco-Belge, Raismes | 1072/1897 | 2-4-0T | Type 98 | Withdrawn 1954. | |
| E215 | Franco-Belge, Raismes | 1073/1897 | 2-4-0T | Type 98 | Withdrawn 1946. | |
| E216 | Franco-Belge, Raismes | 1074/1897 | 2-4-0T | Type 98 | Withdrawn 1956. | |
| Corpet-Louvet Corpet-Louvet Corpet-Louvet was a steam locomotive manufacturer based in Paris, France.-History:Founded in 1855 as Anjubault, based in the Avenue Phillippe-Auguste in Paris, the firm was taken over by Lucien Corpet in 1868. Corpet's daughter Marguerite married Lucien Louvet, the engineer of the Compagnie... , Paris Paris Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region... |
580 | 0-6-0T 0-6-0 Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, 0-6-0 represents the wheel arrangement of no leading wheels, six powered and coupled driving wheels on three axles, and no trailing wheels... |
Ex CFDF No.9, works number 580, received boiler from E204 in 1942 and acquired that locomotive's number. Scrapped in 1946. | |||
| E301 | SACM, Belfort | 4066/1892 | 0-6-2T 0-6-2 Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, 0-6-2 represents the wheel arrangement of no leading wheels, six powered and coupled driving wheels on three axles, and two trailing wheels on one axle... |
Type 71 | Weight 21 tonnes, boiler pressure 11 atm (160 psi). Withdrawn 1954. | |
| E302 | SACM, Belfort | 4067/1892 | 0-6-2T | Type 71 | Withdrawn 1954. | |
| E303 | SACM, Belfort | 4068/1892 | 0-6-2T | Type 71 | Withdrawn 1954. | |
| E321 | Franco-Belge, Raismes | 1443/1904 | 4-6-0T 4-6-0 Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, 4-6-0 represents the wheel arrangement of four leading wheels on two axles in a leading truck, six powered and coupled driving wheels on three axles, and no trailing wheels. This wheel arrangement became the second-most popular... |
RB 4-6-0 tank locomotive. Weight 45 tonnes, boiler pressure 12 atm (180 psi). | ||
| E322 | Franco-Belge, Raismes | 1444/1904 | 4-6-0T | RB 4-6-0 tank locomotive. | ||
| E323 | Franco-Belge, Raismes | 1445/1904 | 4-6-0T | RB 4-6-0 tank locomotive. | ||
| E324 | Franco-Belge, Raismes | 1446/1904 | 4-6-0T | RB 4-6-0 tank locomotive. | ||
| E325 | Franco-Belge, Raismes | 1447/1904 | 4-6-0T | RB 4-6-0 tank locomotive. | ||
| E326 | Fives, Lille Lille Lille is a city in northern France . It is the principal city of the Lille Métropole, the fourth-largest metropolitan area in the country behind those of Paris, Lyon and Marseille. Lille is situated on the Deûle River, near France's border with Belgium... |
3581/1909 | 4-6-0T | RB 4-6-0 tank locomotive. | ||
| E327 | Fives, Lille | 3582/1909 | 4-6-0T | RB 4-6-0 tank locomotive. To Chemin de fer du Vivarais Chemin de fer du Vivarais The Chemin de fer du Vivarais - also called The Mastrou - is a tourist railway in the Ardèche region of the South of France. The metre-gauge line is long... in 1967, then to Chemins de Fer de Provence in 1979. |
||
| E328 | Fives, Lille | 3583/1909 | 4-6-0T | RB 4-6-0 tank locomotive. | ||
| E329 | Fives, Lille | 3584/1909 | 4-6-0T | RB 4-6-0 tank locomotive. | ||
| E330 | Fives, Lille | 3585/1909 | 4-6-0T | RB 4-6-0 tank locomotive. | ||
| E331 | Fives, Lille | 3586/1909 | 4-6-0T | RB 4-6-0 tank locomotive. | ||
| E332 | Fives, Lille | 3587/1909 | 4-6-0T | RB 4-6-0 tank locomotive. Weight 44.5 tonnes, boiler pressure 12 atm (180 psi). Sold to CF Blonay-Chamby, Switzerland Switzerland Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition.... in 1968, now preserved on the Chemin de Fer de la Baie de Somme (CFBS). |
 |
|
| E401 | SACM, Belfort | 4654/1895 | 0-4-4-0T 0-4-4-0 In the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotive wheel arrangement, a 0-4-4-0 is a locomotive with no leading truck, two sets of four driving wheels, and no trailing truck. Examples of this type were constructed as Mallet, Meyer and Double Fairlie locomotives... |
Type 125 | Weight 36 tonnes, boiler pressure 13 atm (190 psi). Withdrawn 1956. | |
| E402 | SACM, Belfort | 4655/1895 | 0-4-4-0T | Type 125 | Withdrawn 1954. | |
| E403 | SACM, Belfort | 4656/1895 | 0-4-4-0T | Type 125 | Withdrawn 1954. | |
| E404 | SACM, Belfort | 4657/1895 | 0-4-4-0T | Type 125 | Withdrawn 1956. | |
| E405 | SACM, Belfort | 4658/1896 | 0-4-4-0T | Type 125 | Withdrawn 1956. | |
| E406 | SACM, Belfort | 4659/1896 | 0-4-4-0 | Type 125 | Withdrawn 1956. | |
| E407 | SACM, Belfort | 4660/1896 | 0-4-4-0T | Type 125 | Withdrawn 1954. | |
| E410 | Piguet-Lyon, Anzin Anzin Anzin is a commune in the Nord department in northern France.It lies on the Scheldt, 1-½ miles northwest of Valenciennes, of which it is a suburb.-History:... |
111/1914 | 0-6-6-0T 0-6-6-0 In Whyte notation, a 0-6-6-0 is a railroad steam locomotive that has two articulated sections, each with six coupled driving wheels, without any leading wheels or trailing wheels.-Equivalent classifications:Other equivalent classifications are:... |
Weight 54 tonnes, boiler pressure 12 atm (180 psi). | ||
| E411 | Piguet-Lyon, Anzin | 112/1914 | 0-6-6-0T | Requisitioned by German military in 1914, to RB in April 1918. | ||
| E412 | Piguet-Lyon, Anzin | 113/1914 | 0-6-6-0T | |||
| E413 | Piguet-Lyon, Anzin | 114/1914 | 0-6-6-0T | Requisitioned by German military in 1914. To RB in May 1917. | ||
| E414 | Piguet-Lyon, Anzin | 115/1914 | 0-6-6-0T | |||
| E415 | Piguet-Lyon, Anzin | 116/1914 | 0-6-6-0T | Preserved at Carhaix. Appeal launched in 2008 to restore locomotive to working order. |  |
|
| E416 | Piguet-Lyon, Anzin | 117/1914 | 0-6-6-0T | |||
| E417 | Piguet-Lyon, Anzin | 118/1914 | 0-6-6-0T | Preserved on CF du Vivarais, carries number plate of E413. | ||
| 2504 | SACM, Belfort | 4265/1891 | 2-4-0T | Type 98 | St Priest. Ex Chemins de fer du Cher. To RB in 1944, withdrawn in 1956. | |
| 107 | Corpet-Louvet, Paris | 1350/1910 | 0-6-0T | Ex CFDF, to RB in 1945, withdrawn in 1948. | ||
| 41 | Corpet-Louvet, Paris | 1411/1913 | 0-6-6-0T | Weight 52 tonnes, boiler pressure 13 atm (190 psi). Ex Chemins de fer du Centre. To Tramways de l'Ain in 1931 but little used there. To Chemin de Fer du Blanc-Argent in 1938. Overhauled by CF PO at Bordeaux Bordeaux Bordeaux is a port city on the Garonne River in the Gironde department in southwestern France.The Bordeaux-Arcachon-Libourne metropolitan area, has a population of 1,010,000 and constitutes the sixth-largest urban area in France. It is the capital of the Aquitaine region, as well as the prefecture... in 1947 then to PO Corrèze PO Corrèze The PO Corrèze is a former meter-gauge railway in the Corrèze department in central France. The concession was granted to the Chemin de Fer de Paris à Orléans and constructed by the Batignolles company... but found to be too heavy for the line. To RB in 1953, but did not enter service until after a rebuild in 1957. Withdrawn in 1967. |
- In 1951, a 2-8-42-8-4In the Whyte notation, a 2-8-4 is a railroad steam locomotive that has one unpowered leading axle followed by four powered driving axles and two unpowered trailing axles. This locomotive type is most often referred to as a Berkshire, though the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway used the name Kanawha for...
(number 284-03 ) built for Gelsa at the Schneider workshops in Le CreusotLe CreusotLe Creusot is a commune in the Saône-et-Loire department in the region of Bourgogne in eastern France.The inhabitants are known as Creusotins. Formerly a mining town, its economy is now dominated by metallurgical companies such as ArcelorMittal, Schneider Electric, and Alstom.Since the 1990s, the...
was tested on the RB, as was a 4-8-44-8-4Under the Whyte notation classification of steam locomotives, 4-8-4 represents the wheel arrangement of four leading wheels on two axles , eight powered and coupled driving wheels on four axles, and four trailing wheels on two axles .Other equivalent classifications are:UIC classification: 2D2...
built by Batignolles-Châtillon, NantesNantesNantes is a city in western France, located on the Loire River, from the Atlantic coast. The city is the 6th largest in France, while its metropolitan area ranks 8th with over 800,000 inhabitants....
.
Metre gauge diesel locomotives
A British Thomson-HoustonBritish Thomson-Houston
British Thomson-Houston was a British engineering and heavy industrial company, based at Rugby, Warwickshire, England. They were known primarily for their electrical systems and steam turbines. They were merged with the similar Metropolitan-Vickers company in 1928, but the two maintained their own...
diesel locomotive
Diesel locomotive
A diesel locomotive is a type of railroad locomotive in which the prime mover is a diesel engine, a reciprocating engine operating on the Diesel cycle as invented by Dr. Rudolf Diesel...
was trialled on the RB, having previously been tested on the CF du Vivarais. Despite being given a more powerful engine, it was not a success.
Metre gauge railcars
- M1 De Dion-BoutonDe Dion-BoutonDe Dion-Bouton was a French automobile manufacturer and railcar manufacturer operating from 1883 to 1932. The company was founded by the Marquis Jules-Albert de Dion, Georges Bouton and his brother-in-law Charles Trépardoux....
NR series, built 1936. Capacity 42 passengers. Originally fitted with a 150 hp CLM engine, later replaced by a 180 hp WillèmeWillème-History:Willème was founded in 1923 by Louis Willeme, after working for Automobiles Grégoire.Most were made with Deutz AG engines; some with in-house engines; some with AEC. In the 1960s, Willème also sold rebadged AEC and BMC trucks....
engine. To CFBS in 1940. - M1 De Dion-Bouton NJ series with 85 hp UnicUnicUnic was a French car manufacturer firm founded by Georges Richard in 1906 after having left Richard-Brasier. Société anonyme des automobiles UNIC was established in Puteaux with two-cylinder and four-cylinder models. The 1943 cc 12 CV four-cylinder model was extremely successful and...
engine. Capacity 32 passengers. Ex SE Valmondois-Marines. - M2 De Dion-Bouton NJ series with 85 hp Unic engine. Capacity 32 passengers. Ex SE Valmondois-Marines.
- M3 De Dion-Bouton NJ series with 85 hp Unic engine. Capacity 32 passengers. Ex SE Valmondois-Marines.
- R3 Billard A-150-D series with engine removed, used as a trailer. Built 1937, capacity 34 passengers.
- R4 Billard A-150-D series with engine removed, used as a trailer. Built 1937, capacity 34 passengers.
- R5 Billard A-150-D series with engine removed, used as a trailer. Built 1947, capacity 34 passengers. Preserved by VF du Velay.
- R6 Billard A-150-D series with engine removed, used as a trailer. Built 1947, capacity 34 passengers. Preserved by CFBS.
- R7 Billard A-150-D series with engine removed, used as a trailer. Built 1947, capacity 34 passengers.
- R8 Billard A-150-D series with engine removed, used as a trailer. Built 1947, capacity 34 passengers.
- R9 Billard A-150-D series with engine removed, used as a trailer. Built 1947, capacity 34 passengers.
- X151 Billard A-150-D series. One of R3-R9 with engine replaced.
- X152 Billard A-150-D series. One of R3-R9 with engine replaced. Preserved by VF du Velay.
- X153 Billard A-150-D series. One of R3-R9 with engine replaced. Preserved by VF du Velay.
- X157 De Dion-Bouton OC1 series. Ex CdN. Capacity 50 passengers. Preserved at CFBS.
- X158 De Dion-Bouton OC1 series. Ex CdN. Capacity 50 passengers. To CFBS, then Chemins de fer de Corse, preserved by ACFCdNChemin de Fer des Côtes-du-NordThe Chemin de fer des Côtes-du-Nord , the Côtes-d'Armor today, was a metre gauge railway in Côtes-du-Nord, France, although there were a few kilometres of line in Finistère and Ille-et-Vilaine. The first lines opened in 1905 and final closure was in 1956...
, LangueuxLangueuxLangueux is a commune in the Côtes-d'Armor department in Bretagne in northwestern France.-Population:Inhabitants of Langueux are called langueusiens.-External links:* *...
. - X201 De Dion-Bouton OC2 series with 180 hp Willème engine. Delivered 1946. Capacity 59 passengers. Transferred to CF Blanc-Argent in 1967.
- X202 De Dion-Bouton OC2 series with 180 hp Willème engine. Delivered 1946. Capacity 59 passengers. Transferred to CF Blanc-Argent in 1967. Preserved by the Association des Chemins de Fer de Côtes du Nord at Langueux.
- X203 De Dion-Bouton OC2 series with 180 hp Willème engine. Delivered 1946. Capacity 59 passengers. Transferred to CF Blanc-Argent in 1967.
- X204 De Dion-Bouton OC2 series with 180 hp Willème engine. Delivered 1946. Capacity 59 passengers. Transferred to CF Blanc-Argent in 1967.
- X205 De Dion-Bouton OC2 series with 180 hp Willème engine. Delivered 1946. Capacity 59 passengers. Transferred to CF Blanc-Argent in 1967.Preserved by the train touristique de Bas-Berry.
- X206 De Dion-Bouton OC2 series with 180 hp Willème engine. Delivered 1946. Capacity 59 passengers. Transferred to CF Blanc-Argent in 1967. Preserved by the train touristique de Bas-Berry.
- X231 DecauvilleDecauvilleThe Decauville manufacturing company was founded by Paul Decauville , a French pioneer in industrial railways. Decauville's major innovation was the use of ready-made sections of light, narrow gauge track fastened to steel sleepers; this track was portable and could be disassembled and transported...
LJK series with two 150 hp Saurer engines. Capacity 52 passengers. Built 1940, intended for export to French Indo-China but not delivered owing to the war, to RB in 1951. - X232 Decauville LJK series with two 150 hp Saurer engines. Capacity 52 passengers. Built 1940, intended for export to French Indo-China but not delivered owing to the war, to RB in 1951. Preserved by Musée des Tramways à Vapeur et des Chemins de Fer Secondaires France (MTVS), Butry-sur-Oise.
- X233 Decauville LJK series with two 150 hp Saurer engines. Capacity 52 passengers. Built 1940, intended for export to French Indo-China but not delivered owing to the war, to RB in 1951. In store at TenceTenceTence is a commune in the Haute-Loire department in south-central France....
for future use on Voies Ferrées du Velay.
In 1948, a Renault
Renault
Renault S.A. is a French automaker producing cars, vans, and in the past, autorail vehicles, trucks, tractors, vans and also buses/coaches. Its alliance with Nissan makes it the world's third largest automaker...
railcar
Railcar
A railcar, in British English and Australian English, is a self-propelled railway vehicle designed to transport passengers. The term "railcar" is usually used in reference to a train consisting of a single coach , with a driver's cab at one or both ends. Some railways, e.g., the Great Western...
with a 600 hp engine that had been destined for French Indo-China was tested on the RB for six months before being exported to Cameroon
Cameroon
Cameroon, officially the Republic of Cameroon , is a country in west Central Africa. It is bordered by Nigeria to the west; Chad to the northeast; the Central African Republic to the east; and Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the Republic of the Congo to the south. Cameroon's coastline lies on the...
. In 1951, two Floirat railcars were tested on the RB before being exported.
Metre gauge passenger stock
The RB had the following passenger stock:-- Five composite carriages built by De DietrichDe DietrichDe Dietrich is a holding company based in France which traces its history back to the early 17th century. It was active in the automobile, railway and industrial machines industry. It sold it holding stake in De Dietrich Ferroviaire to Alstom in 1990...
in 1891, numbered ABCDf1-5. Capacity 5 first, 9 second and 22 third class passengers. - Six composite carriages built by De Dietrich in 1892, numbered ABCDf6-11. Capacity 5 first, 9 second and 22 third class passengers.
- Four composite carriages built by De Dietrich in 1893, numbered ABCDf12-15. Capacity 5 first, 9 second and 22 third class passengers.
- Four composite carriages built by De Dietrich in 1895, numbered ABDf51-54. Capacity 7 first and 19 second class passengers.
- Four composite carriages built by Carel, Fouché et Compagnie, Le MansLe MansLe Mans is a city in France, located on the Sarthe River. Traditionally the capital of the province of Maine, it is now the capital of the Sarthe department and the seat of the Roman Catholic diocese of Le Mans. Le Mans is a part of the Pays de la Loire region.Its inhabitants are called Manceaux...
in 1903, numbered ABDf55-60. Capacity 7 first and 19 second class passengers. - Five composite carriages built by Carel, Fouché et Compagnie, Le Mans in 1909, numbered ABDf61-65. Capacity 7 first and 19 second class passengers.
- Four composite carriages built by De Dietrich in 1897, numbered ABf81-84. Capacity 15 first and 21 second class passengers.
- Two composite carriages built by De Dietrich in 1899, numbered ABf85-86. Capacity 15 first and 21 second class passengers.
- One composite carriage built by Carel, Fouché et Compagnie, Le Mans in 1903, numbered ABf87. Capacity 18 first and 24 second class passengers.
- Four composite carriages built by Carel, Fouché et Compagnie, Le Mans in 1909, numbered ABDfy88-91. Capacity 14 first and 21 second class passengers.
- Five third class carriages built by De Dietrich in 1891, numbered Cf101-105. Capacity 58 passengers. Cf101 preserved by MTVS.
- Six third class carriages built by De Dietrich in 1892, numbered Cf106-111. Capacity 58 passengers.
- Four third class carriages built by De Dietrich in 1895, numbered Cf112-115. Capacity 58 passengers.
- Four third class carriages built by De Dietrich in 1899, numbered Cf116-119. Capacity 58 passengers.
- Ten third class carriages built by Carel, Fouché et Compagnie, Le Mans in 1903, numbered Cf120-129. Capacity 58 passengers.
- Ten third class carriages built by Carel, Fouché et Compagnie, Le Mansin 1905, numbered Cf130-139. Capacity 58 passengers.
- One composite carriage built by De Dietrich in 1899, numbered ABfy1000.
Preservation
Some twenty vehicles survive, including twelve on the Chemin de fer du Vivarais
Chemin de fer du Vivarais
The Chemin de fer du Vivarais - also called The Mastrou - is a tourist railway in the Ardèche region of the South of France. The metre-gauge line is long...
and four on the CF du Velay.
Metre gauge freight stock
- 35 Fourgons numbered Df201-235.
- 296 vans, numbered K301-596. K539 preserved by MTVS.
- 147 vans, numbered Kf1451-1598. Three vans preserved by MTVS, numbered KF1374, Kf1457 and Kf1467.
- 168 open wagons, numbered UL501-668.
- 85 open wagons, numbered ULf1651-1736
- 51 bolster flats, numbered QMo951-952.
- 105 Plats à bord rabattant, numbered HM701-805
- 42 Plats à bord rabattant, numbered HMf1851-1893.
- 1 tank wagon, ex Df220, numbered SC10.
- 15 Plats à bogies, numbered HMy2001-2016.
Vehicles with a "f" in their numbers were equipped with a vacuum brake
Vacuum brake
The vacuum brake is a braking system employed on trains and introduced in the mid-1860s. A variant, the automatic vacuum brake system, became almost universal in British train equipment and in those countries influenced by British practice. Vacuum brakes also enjoyed a brief period of adoption in...
. Non braked vehicles were through piped.
Preservation
Some twenty vehicles have been preserved, mostly vans. They can be found on the CF Blanc-Argent, CFBS, ACFCdN and MTVS.
Metre gauge departmental stock
- 1 rail mounted crane, numbered S3001.
- 1 crane runner, ex HM713, numbered S3002.
- 1 crew carriage, ex ABDf8, numbered S3003.
- 1 tool van, ex Kf 1460, numbered S3004.
- 1 flat wagon, ex HMf1856, numbered S3005.
- 1 workshop van, ex K464, numbered S3006.
- 1 van for calibrating scales, ex Kf1588, numbered S3007.
- 2 weedkiller tanks, ex QMo949, numbered S3008 and ex ABCDf13, numbered S3012.
- 1 tank agon, ex K530, numbered S3009.
- 1 Dormitory carriage, ex ABf86, numbered S3011.
- 2 bogie flats, numbered HMfy2021-2022.
- 2 carriages leased out, ex ABf87, numbered S3013 and ex Cf115, numbered S3014.
- 16 inspection cars built by Billard, numbered 1-16. No. 1 was converted to standard gauge and renumbered 101.
- 1 inspection car ex Réseau d'Anjou. Acquired in 1947 and converted to standard gauge, numbered 102.
- 2 inspection cars, ex Réseau d'Anjou and CF Valmondois-Marines. Numbered 17-18.
Preservation
Six of the inspection cars have been preserved, including No.3 on the CF Blonay-Camay and No. 6 on the CF Touristique d'Ardèche.
Standard gauge steam locomotives
The first RB standard gauge locomotive was an 0-6-0 built in the 1860s for the CF de l'Ouest. Several were in use until the end of the Second World War. There were also five 0-10-00-10-0
Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, 0-10-0 represents the wheel arrangement of no leading wheels, ten powered and coupled driving wheels on five axles, and no trailing wheels...
T locomotives ex Saxony Railways class XI, built by Hartman between 1913 and 1918. In 1939, some 2-6-2
2-6-2
Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, 2-6-2 represents the wheel arrangement of two leading wheels, six coupled driving wheels and two trailing wheels.Other equivalent classifications are:...
T locomotives were acquired. They were in service until 1953. After the war, some 2-8-0
2-8-0
Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, 2-8-0 represents the wheel arrangement of two leading wheels on one axle , eight powered and coupled driving wheels on four axles, and no trailing wheels...
locomotives by Baldwin
Baldwin Locomotive Works
The Baldwin Locomotive Works was an American builder of railroad locomotives. It was located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, originally, and later in nearby Eddystone, Pennsylvania. Although the company was very successful as a producer of steam locomotives, its transition to the production of...
and Alco
American Locomotive Company
The American Locomotive Company, often shortened to ALCO or Alco , was a builder of railroad locomotives in the United States.-Early history:...
were acquired. In 1956, some 4-6-0
4-6-0
Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, 4-6-0 represents the wheel arrangement of four leading wheels on two axles in a leading truck, six powered and coupled driving wheels on three axles, and no trailing wheels. This wheel arrangement became the second-most popular...
locomotive are acquired from the CF PO, and in 1958, some 2-8-2
2-8-2
Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, 2-8-2 represents the wheel arrangement of two leading wheels on one axle , eight powered and coupled driving wheels on four axles, and two trailing wheels on one axle...
locomotives by Fives-Lille are leased. These are used until the end of steam in 1971.
Standard gauge railcars
- Two Renault TE series railcars acquired in 1954.
- Two Renault AEK series railcars acquired in 1959.
- XAB4051 Renault VH series railcar built in 1960, acquired in 1967.
- Two Renault U150 series railcars acquired in 1970.
- Two Renault U300 series railcars acquired in 1972.
- X233 DecauvilleDecauvilleThe Decauville manufacturing company was founded by Paul Decauville , a French pioneer in industrial railways. Decauville's major innovation was the use of ready-made sections of light, narrow gauge track fastened to steel sleepers; this track was portable and could be disassembled and transported...
U600 series railcar acquired in 1982. - One ANFAteliers du Nord de la FranceAteliers de Construction du Nord de la France was a French locomotive manufacturer, based at Crespin in northern France. Later known as ANF Industrie or ANF the company was acquired by Bombardier Transportation in 1989 and is now part of Bombardier Transport France S.A.S.-History:Ateliers de...
2100 series railcar acquired in 1987. - X97151 Soulé A2E railcar built 1990, with 280 hp engines, seating 50 passengers.
- X97152 Soulé A2E railcar built 1990, with 280 hp engines, seating 50 passengers.
- X97153 Soulé A2E railcar built 1990, with 280 hp engines, seating 50 passengers.
Standard gauge departmental stock
- 101 Billard inspection car.
- 102 Billard inspection car.
External links
- Photos of current RB rolling stock
- Rail Bretagne A site for all railways in Brittany, forums have photos of old postcards of the line.