THE YELLOW TRAIN OF THE CERDANYA
Text: Vicente Pérez Redón (Eurofer) Photos: Santiago Mas (Eurofer) The line which joins Latour of Querol with Villefranche of Conflent, both french villages but it supposes a natural railway connection between Puigcerdá and Perpignan, has caused an extraordinary enthusiasm because of its characteristics and the track route in a geographical scene very picturesque, reason for that a lot of visitors includes a trip in the Groc Train (yellow), in the annual agenda of their summer activities.
The building plan was in 1883, and the works began in 1903. The working of first sector dated of 1910, and the last strecht finished to Latour of Querol on 6th August of 1927, that allowed the connection with the Transpyreneen.
The line is of metrical track, of 63 Km. of lenght and the tallest of France, and it has its heavy point in the Bolquera- Eina station (1.592 m.). The unevenness of 1.165 m. demands slopes of 60 mm/m. and its rough terrain has provoked 19 tunnels and a lot of bridges, some of them has confirmed the disposition of the time in subject of railway architecture. The Sójourne viaduct, all of it of granite, of 65 m. tall y 250 m. lenght, and the Gisclard bridge of inclined compact and 80 m length, are two examples of this observation. This last one suppose a technical revolution during the years 1905 - 1908 in which it was built and solved successfuly the problem that always had existed in the use of hanging bridges, provoking still now the admiration of visitors,for the elegance and ligthness of the work. It is important to emphasize the sad circunstance of its inventor and producer, the mathematical Gisclard Albert, died tragically the same day of the official proofs to derail the proof train that it was used,and which had not the brake electric system predicted in normal use.
The rolling stock that is one of the curiosities of the SNFC park, because of the difficulties of the route (slopes of 60 mm/m and curves of 80 m. of radio, without resorting to rack system) is formed by locomotives of 300 CV, with 4 engines, special brakes, automatic brake Westinghose adaptable to pressure and brake of de screw, and which capacity is 40 seats. The material towed have wagons type Midi and Nord of 44 and 46 seats, moreover of panoramic uncovered wagons of 59 seats demanded specially in the summer time. All material has been modernized twice. Becuase of winter difficulties, the engine wagon has been equiped with two snowplow systems.
The supply of the current of traction is of 850 V. in direct and it takes by a rail of lateral contact , placed over insulator supports and protected in the parts more frequented by people.The current is produced for an hydroelectric complex created by this end, with a dam placed to 2.000 m. tall with a capacity of 17.500.000 m3. and carried to 20.000 V. until 7 subestations with remote control from Montpellier.
The maximum speed authorized is of 55 Km/h. Passenger trains can not to exceed the 6 vehicles, and each autoengine locomotive only can to pull 1 towing remolque. The maximum tonnage answered to the formula: so much tiems 52 tons like locomotives there are in service.
The crossings can only do in some stations. The line is open all year, but in winter the service is reducest and some times it is substituted by buses, which provoke the disappointment of amateur to Groc Train.
According to the demand people can do special travels, for accompaniment of groups, ski courses, excursions.....
For all this is recommendable, overcoat in summer period, to join at visitors who do an unforgettable trip with quite ryythm of rambler, who goes slowly but with safety, enjoing of countryside in tall vale of Tet and of the technical works made for the building of this line.
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