72049 arrives at Romilly sur Seine in Nov 2000 with a Culmont - Paris Est early morning train.

Old marble map of the Blanc Argent system on the wall of Valencay station

67358 and 67369 pause at Valance on 5th January 1999 with the 1059 Chambery - Nice

Carhaix, Brittainy 22nd August 1994

Bourg St.Maurice in the French Alps, 25171 with the 0857 to Chambery

In typical clear Atlantic coast air, 67412 is seen at La Roche sur Yonne on the 2012 service to Nantes, 22nd August 1994

A very interesting train that used to run was the Fridays only from Paris to Corbigny and Autun, this train was re-engined at Laroche Migennes with a pair of 66's, and the train split again at Cravant-Bazarnes, with each 66 continuing to either destination. On 18th Sept 1998 66430 and 66469 drop onto the train at Laroche, on this occasion I opted for the 2 1/2 hours of thrash to Autun.

Carhaix in Brittainy was once the head quarters of the metre gauge Reseau Breton. Subsequently with the closure of most of the system what remained was converted to standard gauge. A 2 car unit is dwarfed by the more than ample station facilities on 22nd August 1994, its interesting to note that all the old companys offices and workshops were still standing at this time

72026 seen at Belfort near the Swiss border with the 0730 Paris Est - Basle on 23rd August 1994, with the new TGV line having opened now all these services have ceased.

Paray le Monial 16th Sept 1994

Near Blois is an amazing narrow gauge survivor still run by SNCF. It wa once the extensive Blanc Argent system, now reduced to Salbis to Lucay le Male, a seemingly rather random place to close the line beyond. The single unit waits at Romorantin on the 0808 Salbris - Valencay, not many takers for the service by the looks of it. 17th Sept 1994

At Gievres the metre gauge line shares the station with standard gauge trains to Vierzon. The daily Valencay - Salbris service arrives on 17th Sept 1994

The rather grand and extensive station at Valencay seems devoid of passengers on 17th Sept 1994, the unit has arrived with the 0808 ex Salbis and then formed the once a day service to the end of the line at Lucay le Male. An occasional bus supplemented the meagre train service at this time

Laon in Northern France, 72056 has arrived with a service from Paris

72014 at Paris Nord with a Laon service sometime in October 1996

Job done, the photographer at journeys end, Lucay le Male, having successfully beaten the SNCF timetable planners by travelling the whole line in one day!

Lucay le Male again, an extensive lunch was consumed by us in the village as the unit did not return for over 4 hours!

66439 waits at Angers St.Laud with the Sundays only 1135 to Cholet, 18th Sept 1994

Cholet on 18th Sept 1994 sees 66439 after arrival with the 1135 from Angers St.Laud

The branch from Nantes to St.Gilles Croix de Vie on the Atlantic coast used to see some summer loco hauled trains. 67443 is seen at St.Gilles on the evening of 18th Sept 1994 with the stock for the following mornings 0643 to Nantes

67614 basks in the evening sun at Rodez on 8th August 1994 with the stock for the 2220 to Paris Austerlitz.This train and the sleeper from Carmaux were my favourite loco hauled trains in the area, covering very sparsley served lines

Very elderly (1935 built) loco BB4245 waits at Paris Austerlitz on ECS duties, 9th August 1994

16110 arrives at Paris Nord on 9th August 1994 with a peak train of double deck stock.

A morning service from Laon arrives at Paris Nord on 9th August 1994 behind 72005