Chemin de fer Économiques Forestiers des Landes

Chemin de fer Économiques Forestiers des Landes
Photograph of the station building at Lencouacq in 2011
Station building at Lencouacq-Bourg, 2011
Overview
StatusClosed
OwnerCompagnie des Chemin de fer Économiques Forestiers des Landes
LocaleLandes, France
Termini
History
Opened1907
Closed1934
Technical
Line length12 km (7.5 mi)
Track gauge750 mm (2 ft 5+1⁄2 in)
60cm gauge line to Petit-Menjolic
Lencouacq-Jourets
L'Hermitage
Jougué
Lencouacq-Bourg
Las Hantiques
Garpat
Capberné
Guilard
Géou
Arue
Haurie
Mont-de-Marsan - Marmande
Roquefort-Midi

The Chemin de Fer Économiques Forestiers des Landes (French pronunciation: [ʃəmɛ̃ də fɛʁ ekɔnɔmik fɔʁɛstje de lɑ̃d]) was a narrow gauge railway in Landes, France, which operated between 1907 and 1934. It was the only 750 mm (2 ft 5+1⁄2 in) gauge railway in France.

History

The CF Économiques Forestiers des Landes opened in 1907. The 12-kilometre (7.5 mi) long 750 mm (2 ft 5+1⁄2 in) gauge line ran between Roquefort and Lencouacq-Jourets. It was the only public railway in France built to that gauge. The choice of gauge was said to have been influenced by the purchase of two second-hand 0-4-0T steam locomotives.[1] When narrow gauge railways were first proposed in France, it was intended they could be constructed in either 750 mm or metre (3 ft 33⁄8 in) gauge, however pressure from the French military made metre gauge compulsory in 1888. Later 600 mm (1 ft 11+5⁄8 in) gauge lines were allowed.[2] Traffic declined after 1918, and the line closed in 1934.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b Davies 2000, p. 195.
  2. ^ Davies 2000, pp. 6–7.
Sources
  • Davies, W. J. K. (2000). Minor Railways of France. East Harling: Plateway Press. ISBN 1 871980 45 3.

Further reading

  • Lacombe, Christian; Chanuc, Lucien (1987). L'Extraordinaire réseau ferré des Landes de Gascogne : Compagnie du chemin de fer du Médoc, Chemin de fer d'interêt local de Nizan (in French). Breil-sur-Roya: Éditions du Cabri. ISBN 978-2903310585..