Chemins de Fer de la Corse

Old logo of Chemins de Fer de la Corse, inspired by the SNCF logo (1985-2005)
Chemins de Fer de la Corse
Legend
Calvi
Bastia
Tunnel de la Torreta
Calenzana-Lumio
Lupino
Algajola
Furiani
L'Île-Rousse
Biguglia
Regino
Borgo
Belgodère
Casamozza
Palasca
Novella
Barchetta
Arena
Pietralba
Ponte-Novu
Folleli
Ponte-Leccia
Paduella-Moriani
Soveria
Tunnel de San
Quilico
Prunete Cervione
Corte
Alistro
Poggio-Riventosa
Aléria
Venaco
Ghisonaccia
Viaduc du Vecchio
Solenzara
Vivario
Porto-Vecchio
Tattone
Vizzavona
Bocognano
Tavera
Ucciani
Carbuccia
Mezzana
Caldaniccia
Ajaccio

Chemins de Fer de la Corse (Corsican: Camini di Ferru di a Corsica) (CFC) is the name of the regional rail network serving the French island of Corsica. It is centred on the town of Ponte-Leccia, from which three main lines radiate to Ajaccio, Bastia, and Calvi. The section following the northwest coastline between L'Île-Rousse and Calvi, known as the Balagne line, gives access to many beaches and is very popular with tourists.

A fourth line, running from Casamozza (on the Bastia line) down the east coast of the island to Porto-Vecchio was badly damaged by bombardment during World War II and never reopened.

History

Gustave Eiffel's viaduct at Vecchio

In 1877 it was decided to build a metre gauge railway in Corsica, despite the very difficult terrain it would have to cross.[1] Legislation was passed on 4 August 1879 for the construction of the railway.[2] The first lines opened on 1 August 1888[2] between Bastia and Corte and also between Ajaccio and Bocognano. The network was gradually opened in sections until 1894. A line to Porto-Vecchio opened in stages, the final section opening in 1935, but this was to be short lived owing to the war. There were proposals to build lines from Ajaccio to Propriano and also from Porto Vecchio to Bonifacio, but these lines were not built.[1]

In 1955, there was a proposal to close the Calvi - Ponte-Leccia line; and in 1959 another proposal to close the whole network, which was successfully opposed by the railway workers and the citizens of Corsica. In 1972, another proposal for closure was fought off.[3]

Network

Route map

With a length of 232 kilometres (144 mi), the network is composed of two lines, both single track:

A third line of 130 kilometres (81 mi), opened between 1888 and 1935, serving the east coast; it linked Casamozza to Porto-Vecchio. After suffering much damage during World War II in September 1943, it was never restored, although the section between Casamozza and Folleli remained open until 1953.[4] The track of the disused line, between Casamozza and Moriani, at 42°31′N 9°26′E / 42.517°N 9.433°E / 42.517; 9.433, is being considered for reopening.

Vizzavona station.
L'Île-Rousse station.

The island's geography and topography has forced the line to follow it. The network has 32 tunnels and 51 bridges and viaducts. The longest tunnel, at 3.9 kilometres (2.4 mi), is near Vizzavona. This tunnel, at 906 metres (2,972 ft) high, is also the highest on the network. The viaduct at Vecchio, 140 metres (459 ft) long and 94 metres (308 ft 5 in) high,[5] was designed by Gustave Eiffel.[6]

The CFC is the only metre gauge line in France carrying freight. One train a day operates over the Ajaccio-Bastia line. In winter, the Vizzavona pass is often blocked, and closed to road traffic. Most of the goods wagons are today used for track maintenance purposes.[7]

Stations

Ownership

Renault AHB8 railcar with Billard trailer

The network is owned by the government of France and not by Réseau Ferré de France. The Collectivité Territoriale de Corse, CTC, is the concessionary holder of the network, under the act of parliament on regionalisation of railways in France, and is the transport authority and regulator of railway services. The CTC has entrusted the SNCF with the operation of rail services since 1 January 1983. A nine-year agreement between these bodies under the Loi Sapin came into effect on 1 September 2001.

A modernisation plan agreed by the national government, the CTC and the SNCF envisages the investment of 110 million euros. These funds are to be allocated to the modernisation of rolling stock and infrastructure, thus reducing travel time. An extension of the network towards the airports at Bastia and Ajaccio is also envisaged.

Rolling stock

Current rolling stock

Services are provided with sixteen multiple units and locomotives.

Multiple units

There are also ten Billard railcars that have had their engines removed, used as trailers. These include XR113, XR504, XR505 and XR526.

Twelve AMG800 railcars are scheduled to be delivered between June 2007 and 2009. These will reduce journey times on the Bastia-Corte-Ajaccio route to 2h 30m and allow the Soulé railcars to be transferred to the Bastia-Calvi route.[1] The first AMG800 railcar arrived on 23 June 2007.[8]

Locomotives
BB405 diesel locomotive
Service vehicles

Amongst the freight stock still in service is a bogie flat wagon converted into a fire-fighting wagon.[7]

Former rolling stock

Steam locomotives
Diesel locomotives.
Billard railcars.
Billard trailers.
CFD railcars.

X2000 destroyed by fire in 1980.[8]

Crochat railcars.

Two petrol-electric Crochat railcars were in service from 1928 until an accident in 1928 led to their withdrawal.[8]

De Dion-Bouton railcars.

X158 OC1 series. Ex Chemin de Fer de la Baie de Somme, Réseau Breton and Chemin de Fer des Côtes-du-Nord, preserved at Langueux, France.

Renault railcars.
Carriages.
Freight stock.

The CFC had over 500 freight wagons. Open wagons were on 10 tonnes capacity. Other wagon types included flat wagons, vans, tarpaulin wagons, tank and hopper wagons, as well as three cranes.[7]

Departmental stock.

Service

Service is essentially composed of passenger trains. It is divided into different activities:

Goods traffic amounts to less than 1000 tons per annum.

References

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 "Chemins de Fer de la Corse - CFC". Ian Boyle/Simplon Postcards. Retrieved 2008-03-06.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Smith, Ron (September 2008). "On location:Corsica". Continental Modeller. 30 (9): 534–541. ISSN 0955-1298.
  3. "Corsican railway history". Luc Beaumadier. Retrieved 2008-03-06.
  4. "Eastern Coast line". Luc Beaumadier. Retrieved 2008-03-06.
  5. "Bridges". Luc Beaumadier. Retrieved 2008-03-06.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 "Chemins de Fer de la Corse - CFC". Ian Boyle/Simplon Postcards. Retrieved 2008-03-06.
  7. 1 2 3 "Passenger cars". Luc Beaumadier. Retrieved 2008-03-06.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Railcars". Luc Beaumadier. Retrieved 2008-03-06.
  9. Buckley, Martin (2007-06-03). "Shake, rattle and roll...". London: The Observer. Retrieved 2008-03-06.
  10. 1 2 3 Smith, Ron (October 2008). "Plan of the Month - Calvi, Corsica, Metre gauge on a Mediterranean island - 2". Continental Modeller. 30 (10): 614–617. ISSN 0955-1298.
  11. 1 2 3 "Special vehicles". Luc Beaumadier. Retrieved 2008-03-06.
  12. "Steam locomotives". Luc Beaumadier. Retrieved 2008-03-06.
  13. 1 2 3 "Diesel locomotives". Luc Beaumadier. Retrieved 2008-03-06.
  14. "Passenger cars". Luc Beaumadier. Retrieved 2008-03-06.

Bibliography

  • Davies, W.J.K. (2002). A Contrast in Islands: The Narrow Gauge Railways of Corsica and Sardinia. Narrow Gauge Railways of Europe Volume 7. East Harling, Norfolk, UK: Plateway Press. ISBN 187198050X. 
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