This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. Relevant discussion may be found on the talk page. Please help improve this article by introducing citations to additional sources. Find sources: "Ligne de Cerdagne" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR(August 2015)
The section of line between Villefranche-de-Conflent and Bourg-Madame was declared a public utility by law on 4 March 1903. This same law approved the granting of a concession for the line, signed on 5 December 1902, between the Minister of Public Works and the Compagnie des Chemins de Fer du Midi et du Canal Latéral à la Garonne. The law also superseded an earlier proposed standard gauge railway which had been authorised between Villefranche-de-Conflent and Olette, but never built.[1]
A second law was approved on 23 March 1914 to extend the railway from Bourg-Madame to the 'French frontier station' of the transpyrenean line from Ax les Thermes to Ripoll, although the present station name at the terminus of Latour de Carol Enveitg was not mentioned.[2] The declaration of public utility for this section of the line was confirmed on 4 September 1922.[3]
Construction started in 1903 and the section to Mont-Louis was completed in 1910, followed by the extension to Latour-de-Carol in 1927.[4][5]
Description of the Lineedit
The line is 63 kilometres (39 mi) long and climbs to 1,593 metres (5,226 ft) at Bolquère-Eyne, the highest railway station in France. The line serves 22 stations, fourteen of which are "request stops" (i.e., the train only stops when specifically requested by passengers). There are 19 tunnels, the longest of which is the Tunnel du Pla de Llaurar with a length of 380 meters, located at kilometre point 59.639.[6]
Amongst the various structures along the line are two viaducts over the River Têt classified as Historic Monuments because of their architectural and technical importance:
The Pont Séjourné, a 236.70 meters-long masonry viaduct at kilometer 18.002 in the town of Fontpédrouse [7]
The Pont Cassagne (also known as Pont Gisclard) at kilometre 24.422 is 253 meters long and, unusual for a railway bridge, a suspension bridge - the only one in France located on an operating railway.[8] In 2023, a major project was carried out to replace 12 of the suspension cables.[9]
The line is single-track with passing loops at, for example, Mont-Louis and Fontpédrouse-Saint-Thomas-les-Bains.
The trains are powered by electricity at 850 voltsDC, supplied by third rail. The power is supplied by hydro-electricgenerators on the River Têt. The maximum speed of the train is 55 km/h (34 mph). Two types of train are used: ones using modern, entirely closed two-car multiple units, and others using old-style trailer carriages and powered carriages - most are enclosed, though open carriages are also used when the weather allows. The open carriages allow dramatic views as the train traverses the twisting route and are popular with tourists. Line maintenance vehicles are stored at Villefranche-de-Conflent.
It is named after its yellow and red colours, derived from the Catalan flag. The line was constructed to provide an all-weather route from the high Cerdagne valley to the coast but, as the adjacent N116 road has been progressively improved, there has been population loss in the Cerdagne and the rail link is now chiefly a tourist attraction. Though its long-term future was in doubt in 2017,[10] 80 million euros was invested in the line between 2010 and 2023 by the agency 'Plan Rail'.[9]
In 1911, railway workers reported a fireball on the third rail between kilometres 28 and 40. A similar phenomenon occurred again when a train was hit by one of these fireballs during a thunderstorm. Lightning rods were installed where these events had occurred and the phenomenon has not been reported since installation.
^"N°42960 - Loi ayant pour objet de déclarer d'utilité publique, à titre d'intérêt général, le chemin de fer à voie d'un mètre de Villefranche-de-Conflent à Bourg-Madame et d'approuver la convention passée avec la Compagnie du chemin de fer du Midi pour la concession définitive de ce chemin de fer, au lieu et place de la section comprise entre Villefranche-de-Conflent et Olette de la ligne à voie normale de Prades à Olette: 4 mars 1903". Bulletin des lois de la République Française (in French). 66 (2440). Paris: Imprimerie Nationale: 861–865. 1903.
^"Loi approuvant une convention provisoire passée avec la Compagnie du chemin de fer du Midi pour la concession éventuelle de diverses lignes de chemin de fer d'intérêt général: 23 mars 1914". Journal officiel de la République Française (84). Paris: Imprimerie Nationale: 2747–2749. 26 March 1914.
^"Décret du Ministre des travaux publics: 4 septembre 1922". Journal officiel de la République Française (in French) (244). Paris: Imprimerie Nationale: 9238. 9 September 1922.
^Pourageaux G (2008), Les cent ans du Train Jaune, Editions La vie du rail. (in French)
^"INVENTAIRE des TUNNELS FERROVIAIRES de FRANCE: Fiche Tunnel 66066.1, Tunnel de Llaurar" (PDF). tunnels-ferroviaires.org. Retrieved 2023-03-09.
^"Notice no. PA00132870, base Mérimée". Mérimée : une base de données du patrimoine monumental français de la Préhistoire à nos jours. Ministère français de la Culture. 1996-04-16. Retrieved 2023-03-09.
^"Notice no PA00135696, base Mérimée". Mérimée : une base de données du patrimoine monumental français de la Préhistoire à nos jours. Ministère français de la Culture. 1996-12-18. Retrieved 2023-03-09.
^ abNeedham, John (June–July 2023). "2023 Work on 'The Yellow Train'". Locomotives International (143). Upper Seagry: Mainline & Maritime Ltd: 28–31.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
^"Pyrénées-Orientales : les cinq menaces qui planent sur le Train Jaune". France 3. 2017-02-20. Retrieved 2023-03-09.
External linksedit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ligne de Cerdagne.
[1], Train Jaune (Yellow Train) official SNCF page
about-france.com, The Little Yellow Train of the Pyrenees, route, sightseeing, practical information and photos
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This article relies largely or entirely on a single source Relevant discussion may be found on the talk page Please help improve this article by introducing citations to additional sources Find sources Ligne de Cerdagne news newspapers books scholar JSTOR August 2015 The Ligne de Cerdagne usually referred to as Le Petit Train Jaune English Little Yellow Train Catalan Tren Groc is a 1 000 mm 3 ft 3 3 8 in gauge railway that runs from Villefranche de Conflent to Latour de Carol Enveitg in the French Pyrenees Ligne de CerdagneThe unusual rail suspension bridge at Pont Gisclard between Sauto and PlanesOverviewOther name s Yellow TrainStatusoperationalLocaleFranceStations22HistoryOpened1910TechnicalLine length63 km 39 mi Track gauge1 000 mm 3 ft 3 3 8 in metre gaugeElectrification850 V DC third railOperating speed55 km h 34 mph Highest elevation1 593 m 5 226 ft Route mapLegend Villefranche Vernet les Bains TER Occitanie to Perpignan Villefranche Vernet les Bains Access to Fort Liberia N116 Canal de Villefranche la Tet Correc de Vall Llobera Serdinya D27E Ribera de Vallmarsana Rue du Moulin Joncet D27 la Tet Olette Canaveilles les Bains Riviere de Cabrils la Tet D57 Nyer Riviere de Mantet Thues les Bains Torrent de Faget Rue d Entre Valls Thues Caranca la Caranca la Tet Pont Sejourne N116 Torrent de Canals Fontpedrouse C1 Sauto Souterrain del Pallat N116 Souterrain Terra Blanca Pont Gisclard la Tet Planes Planes Rec de Moli el Jardo D10 Mont Louis La Cabanasse N116 D10 Bolquere Eyne 1593 m Rec de Bolquera Ruisseau de Ricaut Font Romeu Odeillo Via D29 Galerie de Via l Angust Coll Rigat 1493 m Galerie de St Vincent Estavar Chemin d Estavar el Segre D33 Saillagouse N116 Cami de Llivia Err D33B D33E D89 Sainte Leocadie D33E D30A Rec de Rigat Osseja D30 Cami d Aja Bourg Madame N116 el Segre N116 N152 Ur Les Escaldes Riu d Angostrina Riu de Brangoli Rue d Ansaneres Avenue de la Campory Rue de la Halte Bena Fanes R3 to Barcelona Rue du Train Jaune Latour de Carol Enveitg Latour de Carol Enveitg TER to Toulouse This diagram viewtalkedit Contents 1 History of the Line 2 Description of the Line 3 List of stations 4 Electrical discharges 5 See also 6 References 7 External linksHistory of the Line editThe section of line between Villefranche de Conflent and Bourg Madame was declared a public utility by law on 4 March 1903 This same law approved the granting of a concession for the line signed on 5 December 1902 between the Minister of Public Works and the Compagnie des Chemins de Fer du Midi et du Canal Lateral a la Garonne The law also superseded an earlier proposed standard gauge railway which had been authorised between Villefranche de Conflent and Olette but never built 1 A second law was approved on 23 March 1914 to extend the railway from Bourg Madame to the French frontier station of the transpyrenean line from Ax les Thermes to Ripoll although the present station name at the terminus of Latour de Carol Enveitg was not mentioned 2 The declaration of public utility for this section of the line was confirmed on 4 September 1922 3 Construction started in 1903 and the section to Mont Louis was completed in 1910 followed by the extension to Latour de Carol in 1927 4 5 Description of the Line editThe line is 63 kilometres 39 mi long and climbs to 1 593 metres 5 226 ft at Bolquere Eyne the highest railway station in France The line serves 22 stations fourteen of which are request stops i e the train only stops when specifically requested by passengers There are 19 tunnels the longest of which is the Tunnel du Pla de Llaurar with a length of 380 meters located at kilometre point 59 639 6 Amongst the various structures along the line are two viaducts over the River Tet classified as Historic Monuments because of their architectural and technical importance The Pont Sejourne a 236 70 meters long masonry viaduct at kilometer 18 002 in the town of Fontpedrouse 7 The Pont Cassagne also known as Pont Gisclard at kilometre 24 422 is 253 meters long and unusual for a railway bridge a suspension bridge the only one in France located on an operating railway 8 In 2023 a major project was carried out to replace 12 of the suspension cables 9 The line is single track with passing loops at for example Mont Louis and Fontpedrouse Saint Thomas les Bains The trains are powered by electricity at 850 volts DC supplied by third rail The power is supplied by hydro electric generators on the River Tet The maximum speed of the train is 55 km h 34 mph Two types of train are used ones using modern entirely closed two car multiple units and others using old style trailer carriages and powered carriages most are enclosed though open carriages are also used when the weather allows The open carriages allow dramatic views as the train traverses the twisting route and are popular with tourists Line maintenance vehicles are stored at Villefranche de Conflent It is named after its yellow and red colours derived from the Catalan flag The line was constructed to provide an all weather route from the high Cerdagne valley to the coast but as the adjacent N116 road has been progressively improved there has been population loss in the Cerdagne and the rail link is now chiefly a tourist attraction Though its long term future was in doubt in 2017 10 80 million euros was invested in the line between 2010 and 2023 by the agency Plan Rail 9 List of stations edit nbsp Crossing a viaduct km Station Altitude m 5 Local attractions 5 0 Villefranche Vernet les Bains interchange with services to Perpignan 427 walled town Fort Liberia Grottes Les Canalettes 4 990 Serdinya 526 6 229 Joncet 550 9 720 Olette Canaveilles les Bains 608 11 613 Nyer halt 664 Nature reserve exhibition of bats at the Maison de la reserve 13 860 Thues les Bains 747 16 273 Thues Caranca 789 access to the Gorges de la Caranca 19 704 Fontpedrouse Saint Thomas les Bains 1051 Baths at St Thomas les Bains 22 727 Sauto 1224 25 222 Planes 1373 11th century church 27 871 Mont Louis La Cabanasse 1511 Citadelle de Mont Louis Mont Louis Solar Furnace 30 214 Bolquere Eyne 1593 summit of the line 34 925 Font Romeu Odeillo Via 1534 42 463 Estavar 1328 44 670 Saillagouse 1302 46 613 Err 1335 10th century church of Our Lady of Err 48 389 Sainte Leocadie 1281 Musee de Cerdagne 52 835 Osseja 1241 55 689 Bourg Madame 1144 Espace d Art Contemporain border town 58 711 Ur Les Escaldes 1188 romanesque church 61 384 Bena Fanes 62 561 Latour de Carol Enveitg interchange with services to Toulouse and Barcelona 1247 Enveitg castle and baroque chapelElectrical discharges editIn 1911 railway workers reported a fireball on the third rail between kilometres 28 and 40 A similar phenomenon occurred again when a train was hit by one of these fireballs during a thunderstorm Lightning rods were installed where these events had occurred and the phenomenon has not been reported since installation See also editList of highest railways in EuropeReferences edit N 42960 Loi ayant pour objet de declarer d utilite publique a titre d interet general le chemin de fer a voie d un metre de Villefranche de Conflent a Bourg Madame et d approuver la convention passee avec la Compagnie du chemin de fer du Midi pour la concession definitive de ce chemin de fer au lieu et place de la section comprise entre Villefranche de Conflent et Olette de la ligne a voie normale de Prades a Olette 4 mars 1903 Bulletin des lois de la Republique Francaise in French 66 2440 Paris Imprimerie Nationale 861 865 1903 Loi approuvant une convention provisoire passee avec la Compagnie du chemin de fer du Midi pour la concession eventuelle de diverses lignes de chemin de fer d interet general 23 mars 1914 Journal officiel de la Republique Francaise 84 Paris Imprimerie Nationale 2747 2749 26 March 1914 Decret du Ministre des travaux publics 4 septembre 1922 Journal officiel de la Republique Francaise in French 244 Paris Imprimerie Nationale 9238 9 September 1922 Pourageaux G 2008 Les cent ans du Train Jaune Editions La vie du rail in French a b c The yellow train Pyrenees Cerdagne Retrieved 14 September 2015 INVENTAIRE des TUNNELS FERROVIAIRES de FRANCE Fiche Tunnel 66066 1 Tunnel de Llaurar PDF tunnels ferroviaires org Retrieved 2023 03 09 Notice no PA00132870 base Merimee Merimee une base de donnees du patrimoine monumental francais de la Prehistoire a nos jours Ministere francais de la Culture 1996 04 16 Retrieved 2023 03 09 Notice no PA00135696 base Merimee Merimee une base de donnees du patrimoine monumental francais de la Prehistoire a nos jours Ministere francais de la Culture 1996 12 18 Retrieved 2023 03 09 a b Needham John June July 2023 2023 Work on The Yellow Train Locomotives International 143 Upper Seagry Mainline amp Maritime Ltd 28 31 a href Template Cite journal html title Template Cite journal cite journal a CS1 maint date and year link Pyrenees Orientales les cinq menaces qui planent sur le Train Jaune France 3 2017 02 20 Retrieved 2023 03 09 External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ligne de Cerdagne 1 Train Jaune Yellow Train official SNCF page about france com The Little Yellow Train of the Pyrenees route sightseeing practical information and photos countrycousins co uk History of the Yellow Train 42 30 14 N 2 07 40 E 42 50389 N 2 12778 E 42 50389 2 12778 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Ligne de Cerdagne amp oldid 1201308295, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
