St.Trojan Tramway

The 600mm gauge St.Trojan Tramway was opened in 1963 to transport tourists to the inaccessible beaches at Gatseau on the Atlantic coast of the Ile d'Oleron. In 1965 it was extended to Maumusson were it meets the coast at a huge sandy beach. The route passes through dense forest and due to the risk of fire the line uses diesel traction, although there are some steam locomotives stored at the depot at Gatseau. Although only 6kms long the line transports you to beaches inaccessible by car and consequently much less visited by tourists.

Traction is provided by ex-industrial diesel locomotives manufactured by Duetz-Ruston and Billard

passengers are carried in open-sided wagons

After a run through the forest you reach Gatseau Depot

and passing loop

More forest and you reach the sea at Gatseau

and travel on to journeys end at Maumusson

Miles of virtually deserted beach and Atlantic rollers

A triangle to allow locos to reverse

St.Trojan-les-Bains is on the southcoast of the Ile d'Oleron 40km from Rochefort in the Charente-Maritime region of western France.
Website at http://www.le-ptit-train.com

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