Chemin de fer Économiques Forestiers des Landes

The Chemin de Fer Économiques Forestiers des Landes (French pronunciation: [ʃəmɛ̃ də fɛʁ ekɔnɔmik fɔʁɛstje de lɑ̃d]) was a narrow gauge railway in Landes, France which operated between 1907 and 1934. It was the only 750 mm (2 ft 5+1⁄2 in) gauge railway in France.

Chemin de fer Économiques Forestiers des Landes
Station building at Lencouacq-Bourg, 2011
Overview
Status	Closed
Owner	Compagnie des Chemin de fer Économiques Forestiers des Landes
Locale	Landes, France
Termini	Roquefort Lencouacq-Jourets
History
Opened	1907
Closed	1934
Technical
Line length	12 km (7.5 mi)
Track gauge	750 mm (2 ft 5+1⁄2 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

History

The CF Économiques Forestiers des Landes opened in 1907. The 12-kilometre (7.5 mi) long 750 mm (2 ft 5+1⁄2 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. When narrow gauge railways were first proposed in France, it was intended they could be constructed in either 750 mm or metre (3 ft 33⁄8 in) gauge, however pressure from the French military made metre gauge compulsory in 1888. Later 600 mm (1 ft 11+5⁄8 in) gauge lines were allowed. Traffic declined after 1918 and the line closed in 1934.

References

Sources

• Davies, W. J. K. (2000). Minor Railways of France. East Harling: Plateway Press. ISBN 1 871980 45 3.

Further reading

• 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..