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Chemin de fer Économiques Forestiers des Landes

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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+12 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 was a narrow gauge railway in Landes, France which operated between 1907 and 1934. It was the only 750 mm (2 ft 5+12 in) gauge railway in France.

History

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The CF Économiques Forestiers des Landes opened in 1907. The 12-kilometre (7.5 mi) long 750 mm (2 ft 5+12 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 338 in) gauge, however pressure from the French military made metre gauge compulsory in 1888. Later 600 mm (1 ft 11+58 in) gauge lines were allowed.[2] Traffic declined after 1918 and the line closed in 1934.[1]

References

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  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

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  • 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..