Vivarais Railway

According to 'Narrow Gauge World', there has been a fire, destroying historic coaches. Restoration of no. 414 is delayed till next season, with trains currently limited to lower end of line and Lamastre only twice a week and usually railcar.

John

 

Thanks for the v sad update John.
Just as they were starting to really get going .......
Let's hope the visitor numbers are strong this summer for this wonderful line
Ray Mason

 

From a brief report in Todays Railways Europe, the fire destroyed stored stock at Tournon, namely:

• 2 ex CFD Vivarais bogie coaches including the only one with a first class interior
• 1 ex-SBB Brunig Line coach
• 2 twin axle Chemins de fer Electriques Veveysans coaches

I traveled on the last trip of the year to Lamastre last year on a train formed of enclosed stock, including a composite (which our party were in), and spent most of the time on the veranda! Beautiful line, but very commercial and I in summer quite soul-less due to use of open, converted Swiss bogie wagons! The Courier had been in July when these were in use and said the October trip (beautiful weather) in traditional stock was immeasurably better.

Steven

 

It has been some time since anything has appeared on NP regarding the splendid Vivarais Railway (maybe I'm looking in the wrong place).

I'm hoping (Covid permitting) to incorporate a visit to the Vivarais during a visit to central France sometime next summer.

Last time I visited was in 2016 when Loco 403 was the only steam motive power in working order.

Can anyone please give me an update on what has happened in the last 4 years? The Railway's website doesn't tell very much.

Thanks a lot.

Cheers!

Roger