We know well that the main road from Lexos (Varen) to Montauban via the Gorge de l'Aveyron used to be a railway line. The many disused station and signalling buildings en route - often now private homes - are a simple indication of this former use. It seems France had its own Beeching era in the 60's and one line from Castres to Murat is fondly remembered for its little steam trains which ran from 1905-1962. Indeed so important was it for a hidden corner of the Tarn that it is now surrounded by stories and myths which are the subject of a documentary made by well-known Tarn film maker Jean-Louis Cros.
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| The train was turned at each end. |
It can be seen on France 3 catch-up TV or the website. Cros walked the 70 km line discovering what has happened to the track, the buildings and tunnels (the last sometimes now used to mature cheese).
In the UK such lines have often been re-instated by steam enthusiasts, does anyone know of such initiatives here?.
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