during the early to mid part of the 19th century the main objective was to link Paris to all the main cities and towns ,thus ensuring a steady flow of both passengers and freight. This led to the formation of eight major companies (who amalgamated in 1938 to form the present day SNCF).
These companies were not interested in rural railways not seeing enough profit there. In 1865 the Government created a law passing authority to the Departments (equivalent of UK's Counties) to create their own country railways. Mostly these were narrow gauge (of 1 metre or 60cm)
In 1881 the line I am interested in opened its first section from Perigueux to Riberac. Eventually Riberac became known as the 'etoile de chemins de fer' (the starof the railways) due to it being the junction of four rural lines. Here are some pics of the still existing Stations, level-crossing keepers houses and water-towers;








All pictures were  taken by myself.  Old postcards are in the public domain which has been verified by me

More to come if you're interested.

Mike

Keep 'em coming Mike. Love the old photographs especially.

Part 2

The lkine opened in 1881 extended to  the little village of Bourg-de- Bost where a fairly large station and goods Hall was constructed. It was at this time that, as usual in all countries, politics entered the game. Because this area is particularly hilly most rural lines were constructed following the course of the many rivers, but where a river entered the territory of another department the inhabitants clamoured to have their own station. Of course each department jealously guarded their own lines (profit,profit,profit) and endless questions and debates took place at government level so much so that it was not until 1906 that the line was extended to Parcoul-Medillac (thats a common example of two french villages sharing a station) This station is on the main Paris-Bordeaux line and although the station is now closed but pristinely preserved the TGV's thunder past days and night.
Another interesting fact about french stations is that there has two be two seperate buildings 1. the toilets and 2, the 'bouilottes' where water is boiled and placed in metal tanks which are then placed in the carriages of stopping trains to provide heating for the passengers. This practise ceased thiugh in about 1923!
Here'smore pics of Parcoul and its bouilottes and other stations on the line:



The bouilottes;





This next one is the Stationmasters old house at Riberac presently being restored



Mike

Beautiful photos, Mike - that water tower is so Gallic :!:  :!:

Mike

Very interesting and supported by high quality and informative photographs.  This is my first introduction to French railways so I look forward to more.  Thanks

Bob(K)

Tim, was that gallic or phallic (in France theres not much difference!!)

Mike

         

Interesting story and pics mike. I notice the rail crossings is how can i say not public friendly, as in a tad dangerous. Dont think you see that in the UK now. I like the water tower, if you dont mind could i pinch the pic to give me a idea as to my design of a cooling tower for my steel works please?.
Phill

Of course Phil,no problem. Re your comment on the level crossing; that particular one is about 6o miles from us and my wife and I (well me really)decided to visit it on our way back from the airport at Bergerac. I said lets take some sandwiches and we can eat our lunch by the side of the crossing. we had been parked for about ten minutes and i was just taking the first slurp of my hot coffee when all of a sudden red lights are flashing,klaxons going off and the barriers came down. About five minutes later a TGV goes by, but not before I had started wiping the VERY hot coffee from my lap!!. You say not public friendly? How true!!
Mike

:D  :D  :D  :D  :D

Also there seems no safety involved from what i can see, no fence or anything t stop you wandering across thinking you could beat the train, which i know you cant  :shock:
Phill

Very interesting Mike. Love the old photos but I cant see the carriages getting through the British loading gauge. :o

As for TGV well what can anyone say. Sometimes when I drive to the UK I stop at a service station just north of Paris which is at the side of the line. All I can say is I've nearly missed the ferry once or twice watching those beauties which seem to go past every couple of minutes. The French really have got their act together. :roll:  :roll:

Les

Dont supose you could show a pic of these TGV,s? You drive from Spain Les, blimey heck of a long drive i would imagine?.
Phill

Here you are Phill. On your doorstep:



Mike

Now i know why its called a beauty, what a train that is, reminds of the bullet i think its called, its in Japan i think. Thanks for that.
Phill

Phill wrote

You drive from Spain Les, blimey heck of a long drive i would imagine

Nah not really Phill - only two days - nothing to a pro like yourself.    

Les

Oh shucks thanks Les  :oops: but 2 days why not fly its quicker ?.
Phill

If you'd seen my wife after she's been shopping in the UK you wouldn't be asking that question. Anyway there aren't a lot of TGV's at 30,000 feet.    

Les

Oh the wife, should of known, mines the same. Funny how they can spend on anything but when we say we need things for our model, heck its a stern look and you forget you asked.
Phill