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Brittany: A new Narrow Gauge 60cm line !!

Discussion in 'Narrow Gauge Railways' started by Baldwin, Jun 12, 2011.

  1. Baldwin

    Baldwin Guest

    I would of thought that if you're going to build a tourist railway on a shoestring that 60cm would of been far more feasible ! In the present economic climate there's no point in hoping for a subvention because it's just not going to come. Lastly, how many years is it going to take before you get anything running, the rules and regulations regarding metre gauge are far more stricter than for 60cm, even with a million quid in your pocket you'dd be hard pushed ?
     
  2. Legrandanglais

    Legrandanglais New Member

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    I agree Baldwin, no subvention - neither asked, for or expected. I also agree that things won't happen that quickly, still awaiting ground works contractor to turn up. In France it is one thing getting anybody to get you a quote, trying to make it then happen is a totally different story :sad::sad: The Association is trying to use local trades where possible - keeps the Mayors happy to think finances are feeding back into their commune.

    This Saturday, 3 Brits (1 bad back, 1 mustn't do heavy work) plus Joel - the others seem to be still in hibernation, so another morning of planning and thinking.:eek:hwell:
    At least one Safety issue was won - there is to be a passage from the road way to the track in front of the shed (cut through the existing low wall) - also steps to provide access to the side door.

    At least I was able to get home and on the net and find a source of Track Tools (from UK) at sensible prices so that the rail and sleepers can be positioned safely: Specialised Tools & Equipment Ltd...... one French supplier was asking 300 Euro for Sleeper Tongs !!#*! :faint:

    We shall see if next week brings a change in numbers??
     
  3. Baldwin

    Baldwin Guest

    ...just wondering if the fact that the railway is owned by one person and that it could quite easily be sold off at any one moment, meaning that all those who participated in it's reconstruction would have nothing to show for their hard work, could this be one of the reasons why it's difficult to find volunteers ? If so, how do other railways in this situation do ? After all, it's a bit like getting volunteers to build you a house !
     
  4. Legrandanglais

    Legrandanglais New Member

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    That is one question we all asked at the AIKB presentation.... Under French Law, the interest of the ACBR (and its members) is protected, and thus cannot be summarily sold or disposed of....:thumb:

    I think the main problem regarding volunteers is that it does not seem to happen as it does in UK... This is a French Project - and the French will do it their way... we Brits are there to help where possible, not to manage or critisize.... madening though that may be to those who have been there, done that, got the T shirt, the DVD etc......:tape:

    Something similar is happening at the Abbey de Bon Repos, where the lease to The Association of the companions of the Abbey of Bon Repos from the land owner is expiring - the Conseil General de Cotes d'Armor is currently holding a series of Public Mettings - and holding an inquiry into the status of this site. It is in fact proposed that the Conseil General compulsary purchase the Ancient Monument - as it is allowed under French Law.

    If and when such a situation should happen - we will see....
     
  5. Baldwin

    Baldwin Guest

    When you say under French law that the interest of the members is protected does that mean that if the owner decides to sell up and go do the members and volunteers get paid for the work they've done or do they kiss that goodbye ? I think this subject is important even more so if you're giving your weekends up to break your back for someone else. By the way you've described things, if the English go then the work would grind to a halt !
     
  6. Legrandanglais

    Legrandanglais New Member

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    The ACBR is starting to put up its Website :welcome: For now it is just the framework in place, but pictures and words will be added in course, watch this space:

    Accueil - Site de bonrepos !
     
  7. Legrandanglais

    Legrandanglais New Member

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    The ACBR website has had quite a few pictures added since the last post - not quite up to date, but close.:thumb:

    The groundwork contractor was on site Saturay morning increasing the depth of the cutting into the shed at Bon Repos to permit the Metre gauge locotractor to be overhauled there. Once dug out and leveled/balasted, a couple of lengths of track will be laid to accomodate the locotractor and the Swiss coach.:smile:

    With an eye to health and safety, track tools are being purchased in UK, quite a selection for little more than the French quote for a single item.:amen:

    Hopefully, with the good weather being with us, the member's hibernation period is drawing to a close.:yawn::yawn:

    As well as the trackwork at BR, the restoration of the van at Gouarec can start - stripping out the rotten timberwork, treating the rust and painting the steelwork, followed by the fitting of new timber and painting. An inspection a couple of weeks ago, revealed that one of the springs has broken, so that needs fixing as well.:yuck:
     
  8. Baldwin

    Baldwin Guest

    If i remember correctly the track base was already levelled out for the 60cm locos, if the ground in the shed is being dug out again to except the metre gauge locomotive isn't this going to give a huge downward gradient into the shed, would it not be better to simply scrap the shed and start fresh ?
     
  9. Legrandanglais

    Legrandanglais New Member

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    Let me upload a few photos to clarify the situation... Remember that the Reseau Breton was a steeply graded line, and the approach from the west into Halte de Bon Repos is a climbing grade :mmph:.

    The result is the section into the shed, and just outside will (for safety reasons) be level, with the remainer of the cutting will be at a slight downhill grade.:redface:

    As for the suggestion of demolishing one of the few remaining original RB structures - DO NOT even think of it! :shocked:

    The final photo shows where the cut-through from the roadway to the shed front will be.

    For the record, the winter hibernation for working members has ended... 6 workers on site, a mix of French and English

    BR le 240312 James & Andrew a  R.jpg BR le 240312 la remise e  R.jpg BR le 240312 la  remise en fin de journée  R.jpg BR le 240312 vue générale a R.jpg BR le 240312 la brêche b  R.jpg
     
  10. Ken_R

    Ken_R Member

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    All being well, i.e. the ferry don't sink, or other eventualities prohibit, I'll be along for a visit next Saturday. That's not to say I'll be doing any work.

    Just 'visiting'.:wave:
     
  11. Legrandanglais

    Legrandanglais New Member

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    The ACBR has started to put translation into English on its Website. :nod:

    For now it is experimental with everyone ageeing that the Google Autotranslate software is failing to understand French and giving horrid but laughable results in English. :rolleyes1:
    If you select English as the Google Translate choise, it screws up the suplimentary English text in a strangely different way from one that was originally submitted...:confused1: If you choose French as the language - the supplimentary English text is OK :confused1:

    Who knows what a mess Google would make of the Bretton Language? :der:

    If you leave any comments - use the last page of their Website to do this - in English if you want - they have the technology to translate, even if it ends up being translated by a human!! :typing:

    In fact suggestions are welcome for a sure-fire method of linking different language texts.... it may take the humour out of the situation, but the desire is to appear proffessional!!

    Accueil - Site de bonrepos !
     
  12. Legrandanglais

    Legrandanglais New Member

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    On Saturday, whilst the crew were fine levelling the deepened cutting at Bon Repos in preparation for ballasting - the Swiss Coach arrived, several week early and without warning. :help:

    With no trackwork in place for it !!!! - it had to be put onto several short bits of light temporary track dragged from the pile.

    Apparently it looks enormous. No photos because Joel forgot his Camera :sorry:, maybe Ken got a picture? (should have been there as I did not hear about his Ferry sinking! - see reply #50)
     
  13. Legrandanglais

    Legrandanglais New Member

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    Actually, Ken would not have seen a Swiss Coach - It was an April Fool Message :laugh:!

    ACBR is NOT that disorganised when it comes to material arrivals that need cranes etc... :nod:

    In reality, the cutting has been levelled and Ballast spread ready for Sleepers and Rail. :thumb:
     
  14. Ken_R

    Ken_R Member

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    Crew! What crew? There were only two of them and when I arrived they were taking a break in the Clubhouse - although obviously well deserved.:smile:

    Nice to see how matters have progressed so far and I'll be back over in a couple of months for another visit.

    Whilst I didn't get down there to actually see it, I understand that Le Lac is now back to its normal level.

    Back in Gouarec, I see that the Hotel du Blavet has been much under discussion,
    HERE

    It's a shame what has happened to the old place as we've had many good meals there.

    P.S. The Mods need to change the thread title as it's now going ahead as a 1 Metre line (initially).
     
  15. Legrandanglais

    Legrandanglais New Member

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    Hi Ken,

    Most of the 'Crew' were back in UK; or were on sick leave - happens as you get older! :frown:

    Work last week concentrated on the cut-through from the roadway in front of the shed, see photo (A Brit!).

    BR le 070412 Alan sur la brêche   Alan on breach   R.jpg brêche 140712a  R.jpg

    The following Saturday the cut-through was cleaned up and the stone sides installed (see second photo)... no more climbing over the slippy grass to get to the shed from the roadway!

    Progress on track-laying is awaiting sleepers - rare as rocking horse S**t in France (at a good price):frusty: - I have been looking at UK suppliers as an alternative - the Network Rail re-cycling centres look as though they may have a quantity, but its the transport and ferry costs that may kill that option.:mmph:

    Fishplate grease is cheaper in UK as well, so that may be purchased and taken over by the Brit members on their travels. The track tools have arrived at my UK abode, and will shortly be exported to Brittany - again very cost effective IF they are taken over by a Brit.:thumb:
     
  16. Legrandanglais

    Legrandanglais New Member

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    After a couple of weeks break where members were elsewhere, this Saturday, 5 May, saw 8 members on site at the Halte de Bon Repos - France 2 - England 6 (sounds like a good score at international football!).

    The new track tools were delivered to site this weekend and were test flown by Chief Engineer Joel, declared fit for purpose (and with those already in store) the ACBR will be ready for track laying (when the sleepers arrive - see later comment). The crowbars were used to lever the big stone in place for the wall - Bl**dy heavy (both).

    Work continued on clearing branches and undergrowth, but with a new problem - The mayor of Laniscat has now banned the burning of bio-waste in the commune :ban: - it has to be transported to the eco-fuelled boiler house at the school (at your own expense!). The solution (until a steam engine arrives on site) is for members to take useful branches for burning at home...I am unable to comment further :tape:

    The building of the walls each side of the cut-through in front of the shed continues, bad weather made that difficult before, but it is starting to look good, if a bit rustic.

    Good news on the search for suitable sleepers, with 440 found at Network Rail depot at Westbury, and a deal on transport using a Freight Groupage service should see them transported at a reasonable cost in a couple of weeks? :happy:

    A 60cm gauge turnout is to be rebuilt (and lengthened) to metre gauge to permit the Shed line to be connected to the Main line.

    The installation of a short section of 60cm Peat Rail panels is also being reviewed to enable some sort of visitor attraction???? :madgrin:

    BR 050512   l'équipe du jour  RR.jpg BR 050512 murets  R.jpg BR 050512 outils  R.jpg
     
  17. Consolidation Mike

    Consolidation Mike New Member

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    The mention of steam traction in the last post raises the question, is there any current plan to obtain steam traction.

    I was recently at St Valerie and it is evident that things are happening with the reamining locos at the dump site on the South side of the town. The substantial remains of the two Courpet Louvres and the Schneider, remain, but the fourth loco has recently disappeared. Two of these hulks still have frames, wheels, cylinders and substantial parts of their boilers and some motion parts, and whilst either would be a monumental restoration project, will I suspect dissapear as scrap metal before long.
     
  18. Legrandanglais

    Legrandanglais New Member

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    Hi Mike... In our dreams would be the answer at this time - it was a sarcastic comment about how to dispose of the overgrowth on the abandoned trackbed and around the station yard in view of the local mayor's decree on burning in favour of eco-fuelling the school! OK the idea is good, but we were quoted several hundred Euros (that we do not have to spare) to cart the stuff away - if he wants it then there should be a collection system in place....
     
  19. Legrandanglais

    Legrandanglais New Member

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    The weather improved last Saturday, so there were 7 (5 Brits, 2 French). Where are the French (or Bretons)? we need them if this project is going to get really going!
    Work on the cut-through to the front of the shed continued, with more stones found 0.5K down the line. Slate slabs also found to put on top where the access door is.
    More of the trees/branches previously cut down were cut into suitable lengths for our 'Woodburners' - they need a couple of years to dry out before use - so volunteers are getting wood for their work and saving disposal costs.:bounce:
    Accounts are being created with Network Rail and the Groupage Company, so, fingers crossed there should be 400+ sleepers on site by June.:clap2:
     
  20. Legrandanglais

    Legrandanglais New Member

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    Guess what? Network Rail have now advised us that Creosoted softwood sleepers are ONLY available to licensed Hazardous Material disposal companies:sorry: - got to protect themselves from possible future legal action if someone gets a splinter in their finger and gets cancer!!!!! :tape:

    So no sleepers for ACBR from NR. Hardwood sleepers are available - but those are cheaper (?) in France, but way too expensive to be considered at present.....:doh:.

    Most of the Brits are becoming reluctant to give more time to this project as the French seem reluctant to be involved, now with the sleeper deal falling through ?????? :yawn:
     

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