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Lost Railways of La Gironde France

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Disappeared French Branch Railways Lines in the La Gironde Region of France

Branch Railways once opened up and served many small towns in France. These lines crossed forests, ran alongside lakes, rivers and oceans. Before the arrival of the railway many country regions were practically cut off in winter as the the sandy soils made road maintenance difficult.

As in other countries the motor car boom of the 1950's and onwards made these lines uneconomic and they were gradually closed down. This lens is designed to show the vestiges of these lines.

The Lens concentrates on the Facture-Andernos-Lacanau-Lesparre which opened up the North Bassin of the Bay of Arcachon. This line was opened in 1884, Lacanau - Arès : closed for passengers January 1951, Ares to Facture Passengers September 1971 ( and the whole route in December 1978 for merchant traffic (mostly wood))

Andernos Les Bains Station (Facture-Lesparre)

Gare de Andernos les Bains

This station is probably in the best condition as it it now serves as the town Tourist Office. The former goods office is now a Billiards Hall. A cycling club also uses part of the station. Sarah Bernhardt used this station when she came to stay. Many Andernosians remember the train.

French Railways Books and Videos

Andernos Les Bains Goods Station (Facture - Lesparre)

Andernos les Bains Gare de Marchandise

This is about 150 meters to the North of the former Station and is now an ivy covered Billiards Hall

Andernos les Bains (Town side) (Facture-Lesparre)

Ancience Gare D'Andernos cote ville

The former Andernos station viewed from the town side

Lanton Station (Facture - Lesparre)

Ancienne Gare de Lanton

This is now a private dwelling the "Lanton" name plate has been removed

Taussat Station (Facture-Lesparre)

Ancienne Gare de Taussat

Now a private dwelling. Still has station clock, name plate, and lamp. Also see separate photo an actual rail

Actual Rail from the Facture-Lesparre Railway at Taussat Station

One lone rusty rail

Ares Station (Facture-Lesparre)

This is the Town side, used by CAP 33 who organize free team sports for tourists

Facture-LeSparre Station List

Facture
Audenge
Lanton
Taussat
Andernos
Arès
Lège A track of 60cm connected to the American Base at Le Cap Ferret
Lauros
Le Porge
Mistre
Lacanau Ville with junction with Bordeaux-Lacanau Océan
Devinas
Carcans
Pipeyrous
Lupian
Hourtin
Cartignac Antenne vers Contaut
Naujac sur Mer
Lesparre-Medoc. Lesparre still has a single track electric train from Bordeaux to Pointe de Grave

Other French Railway Websites

Roads named after Branchline Railways in the Gironde Region: An Enthusiasts Site
Federation des Amis des Chemin de Fer Secondaires (La Gironde): Comprehensive list of French Branch Lines

Gare de Carcans

photo Sud Ouest Newspaper

Gare de Hourtin

This was a private residence, has now been restored

Old Map of French Railways Du Midi

Wonderful old map in Bordeaux St Jean Station showing French Railways in all their glory

Main lines in Red (probably all still existing)
Branch Lines in Brown (Presumably all gone)

Photo by fredpanassac http://www.flickr.com/photos/10699036@N08/ / CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Intact Railway Bridge over the Betey at Andernos

The bridge now servers as a cycle path of course.

Railway Bridge over the Betey, Andernos with view of the cycle path

Have you Seen any Railway Relics?

Hi I can't take any more photos until next year, so would be grateful for any railways photos, stations, railway buildings, artefacts, modern trains etc (just leave a comment)

Reply

A silly old trainspotter Apr 7, 2012 @ 11:55 am | delete

Dear Sir, I understand that in the early 1960's a number of ex-London Underground carriages were used in the Bordeaux region. At least one photo from 1960 shows them in use in Lacanau Medoc vers Bordeaux. If you find any can you let me know ?