French NG SIG 5th Meeting

[BobB]

Four members met on Zoom on 4 May 2022, with a couple of apologies.

Continuing from the previous meeting, Paul T showed pictures of his visit to the Abreschviller Forestry Railway, including shots and a movie clip taken at different locations along the line.  He also told us of further research into the St Gervais – Vallorcine motor luggage van seen in the museum in Mulhouse.  This interesting single-ended vehicle hauled coaches on the 3rd rail electrified line, turning on a turntable at each end of its journey.  We mused about how a 3rd rail would be fitted to a turntable, and concluded that a 'flying lead' (seen in one photo) was used to power the vehicle off the turntable!

Mick reported on his recent visit to the Corrèze area, and Christopher described the Narrow Gauge South event in Eastleigh, where he had exhibited recently.

Bob described the complex railway network around Royan in Charente Maritime, with standard gauge lines, a whole network of metre gauge routes and the Decauville 60cm gauge Tramway de Royan.  All that survives apart from the SNCF line to Royan is the Train des Mouettes tourist line from Saujon to La Tremblade.  Trains on this, the only standard gauge branch in the area, are now operated by a venerable Schneider 0-6-0T dating from 1891, and we saw pictures of this line.

On the modelling front, Paul T had (after many years) returned to his 4mm scale Billard A150 railcar and remorque, built using Worsley Works etches, adding interior detail after assistance provided by members of the Passion-Métrique forum.

Our next meeting is booked for Wednesday 22 June at 19:45.