Historic Metre-Gauge Railways in Provence -the Central Var Metre Gauge Line

Discussion in 'Miscellaneous & Oddities' started by Roger Farnworth, Mar 17, 2018.

  1. Roger Farnworth

    Roger Farnworth Full Member

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    This may well be the most off the wall thread but the title of this section of the forum does include the word 'oddities'. First post to follow ..... I could do it in French if you prefer, but we'll try in English first! ;-)
     
  2. Roger Farnworth

    Roger Farnworth Full Member

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    There was a very extensive network of secondary lines in France of which many were of metre-gauge. The line from Nice to Meyrargues was one of these. The route was over 200kilometres in length and left the Nice to Digne Line at La Manda near Colomars. The link below takes you to the first of my blog posts on this line:

    https://rogerfarnwor...tral-var-part-1
     
  3. Roger Farnworth

    Roger Farnworth Full Member

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  4. ianvolvo46

    ianvolvo46 Staff Member Moderator

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    Some great projects there the bridges/viaducts especially.

    Ian vt
     
  5. Roger Farnworth

    Roger Farnworth Full Member

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    The Chemins de Fer du Sud de la France made connections with a number of tramways operated by TAM. The first of these was a tramway between Cagnes-sur-Mer and Vence. This next post covers that metre-gauge tramway.

    There were a significant number of electric tramways in the area around Nice which connected either to the Chemins de Fer du Sud or linked towns on the coast with those further inland. This tramway did both. It operated from around 1911 until around 1932.

    https://rogerfarnwor...-de-provence-17
     
  6. Roger Farnworth

    Roger Farnworth Full Member

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  7. Roger Farnworth

    Roger Farnworth Full Member

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  8. Roger Farnworth

    Roger Farnworth Full Member

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    A number of different railways met at Grasse.Two TAM tramways, one from Cagnes-sur-Mer and one from Cannes approached the town from the south. A PLM branchline also linked Grasse to Cannes. There was a funicular railway linking the PLM (SNCF) railway station to the town centre, and there was the Chemins de Fer du Sud de la France Central Var line crossing the town on its way between Nice and Meyrargues.

    This next post covers the first part of the story of the TAM tramway between Cagnes-sur-Mer and Grasse:

    https://rogerfarnwor...-de-provence-20


    The second half of my blog on the TAM tramway between Grasse and Cagnes-sur-Mer:

    https://rogerfarnwor...-de-provence-21
     
  9. jakesdad13

    jakesdad13 Staff Member Moderator

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    Oh for a time machine! what an amazing system it must have been. Thanks Roger.

    Pete.
     
  10. Roger Farnworth

    Roger Farnworth Full Member

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  11. Roger Farnworth

    Roger Farnworth Full Member

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  12. Roger Farnworth

    Roger Farnworth Full Member

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  13. Roger Farnworth

    Roger Farnworth Full Member

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  14. Roger Farnworth

    Roger Farnworth Full Member

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  15. Roger Farnworth

    Roger Farnworth Full Member

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  16. jakesdad13

    jakesdad13 Staff Member Moderator

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    Some great photos Roger, it also brought back some memories of my honeymoon with my first wife.
    We rode down from Chesterfield in 1987 to Cannes on my Honda Gold wing motorbike. Passing through Grasse on route, the smell of perfume was very strong in the air! I wish I had had more interest in railways back then, maybe I would have taken more notice of the architecture on the way down.

    Cheer's, Pete.
     
  17. Roger Farnworth

    Roger Farnworth Full Member

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    Roger Farnworth Full Member

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    Roger Farnworth Full Member

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    Roger Farnworth Full Member

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