 1 La Ligne des Causses - Gradient profile and track layout as in 1961 - from Béziers to Tournemire-Roquefort. Note that the gradients quoted are per 1000. |
 2 La Ligne des Causses - Gradient profile and track layout as in 1961 - from Tournemire-Roquefort to Sévérac-le-Château. |
 3 La Ligne des Causses - Gradient profile and track layout as in 1961 - from Sévérac-le-Château to St. Chély. |
 4 La Ligne des Causses - Gradient profile and track layout as in 1961 - from St. Chély to Neussargues. |
 5 Outline profile of la Ligne des Causses. This is taken from Henri Lartilleux's classic "Géographie de Chemins de Fer Français Premier Volume 'La S.N.C.F'. |
 6 Laurens station - now closed. 20 June 2011. |
 7 The siding at Laurens is rusty but still used occasionally. 20 June 2011. |
 8 Laurens station. 20 June 2011. |
 9 Laurens station building is well looked after. 20 June 2011. |
 10 Looking towards Béziers at Laurens. 20 June 2011. |
 11 Laurens - 456.6 KM. 20 June 2011. |
 12 Laurens station building. 20 June 2011. |
 13 Looking north at Laurens where the catenary suggests there was once a yard here. 20 June 2011. |
 14 The WC, as was, at Laurens. 20 June 2011. |
 15 The well kept station building at Laurens which is now a house. 20 June 2011. |
 16 Looking towards Béziers from above the mouth of a short tunnel near Faugeres. 20 June 2011. |
 17 Looking north at Faugeres. The station, now closed, was here standing at 258m (846ft). 20 June 2011. |
 18 A 160m long viaduct on the descent towards Bédarieux. The gradient here is only 15/1000 (approximately 1 in 66 2/3). This is a gentle gradient on la Ligne des Causses. 20 June 2011. |
 19 The lines around Bédarieux as they were. Only the Ligne des Causess now remains. Taken from Henri Lartilleux's "Géographie de Chemins de Fer Français Premier Volume 'La S.N.C.F'. |
 20 Bédarieux station - 225m (738ft). 20 June 2011. |
 21 Bédarieux station, north end. 20 June 2011. |
 22 Bédarieux station - but without the expected trains due to a strike. This view is towards Neussargues. 20 June 2011. |
 23 A mirror at Bédarieux station. 20 June 2011. |
 24 Looking towards Béziers at Bédarieux. This former junction station once boasted a sizeable yard and depot alongside the station. 20 June 2011. |
 25 A view of Bédarieux station's overall roof from the south end. 20 June 2011. |
 26 European height platforms and board crossings. Bédarieux station. 20 June 2011. |
 27 Looking towards Neussargues at Bédarieux. 20 June 2011. |
 28 Viaduc de Boissière seen throught the trees south of Joncels. 20 June 2011. |
 29 A level crossing north of Joncels looking up the grade in the Neussargues direction. 20 June 2011. |
 30 Looking south at the level crossing near Joncels seen in the previous photograph. 20 June 2011. |
 31 Viaduc de l'Usclade, km 493. 20 June 2011. |
 32 Viaduc de l'Usclade and the following level crossing near km 493. 20 June 2011. |
 33 Tunnel des Cabrils from the level crossing near km 493. 20 June 2011. |
 34 The former crossing keeper's house near km 493. 20 June 2011. |
 35 Viaduc de l'Usclade, km 493. The viaduct is 117m long. 20 June 2011. |
 36 The road parts company with the railway after km 493. However, it affords this view roughly south in which can be seen the railway climbing out of the valley at 33/1000 (approximately 1 in 30 1/3). No easy railway this one! 20 June 2011. |
 37 Ceilhes-Roqueredonde station building. 20 June 2011. |
 38 Looking towards Neussargues at Ceilhes-Roqueredonde. 20 June 2011. |
 39 Ceilhes-Roqueredonde station building appears well looked after. 20 June 2011. |
 40 Looking towards Béziers at Ceilhes-Roqueredonde. 20 June 2011. |
 41 Ceilhes-Roqueredonde station now has to make do with a concrete waiting shelter. 20 June 2011. |
 42 Level crossing treadle at Ceilhes-Roqueredonde. 20 June 2011. |
 43 Ceilhes-Roqueredonde, looking towards Béziers. 20 June 2011. |
 44 Ceilhes-Roqueredonde level crossing. 20 June 2011. |
 45 Despite the strike this was one train which ran. Having stopped to take some general photographs of the scenery, I heard the train coming and was able to get this grab shot through the trees. The train, the 13:00 Beziers to Millau, has just left Montpaon station and is passing the village of Fondamente. 20 June 2011. |
 46 Now in the Causses region proper the line crosses the D93 some way south of Tournemire-Roquefort. 20 June 2011. |
 47 Looking upgrade (30/1000, approximately 1 in 33 1/3) and towards Béziers at the crossing of the D93 some way south of Tournemire-Roquefort. 20 June 2011. |
 48 The gradient (30/1000, approximately 1 in 33 1/3) shows near the crossing of the D93 some way south of Tournemire-Roquefort in this view towards Neussargues. 20 June 2011. |
 49 The level crossing with the D93 some way south of Tournemire-Roquefort. 20 June 2011. |
 50 Tournemire-Roquefort in better times for the railway showing the developments at their maximum extent. Taken from Henri Lartilleux's "Géographie de Chemins de Fer Français Premier Volume 'La S.N.C.F'. |
 51 Tournenmire-Roquefort station building. The altitude here is 500m (1640ft) - 291m (955ft) below the town of Roquefort the station apparently serves! 20 June 2011. |
 52 Looking towards Béziers at Tournemire-Roquefort. 20 June 2011. |
 53 Looking towards Neussargues at Tournemire-Roquefort. This station, in the days when it was a junction, used to boast an overall roof. Two lines joined the Ligne des Causses here. From behind the camera a branch came in from St Affrique and in the direction the camera is looking a line to Le Vigan and Quissac headed off. 20 June 2011. |
 54 A sizeable yard used to be here alongside the station at Tournemire-Roquefort. 20 June 2011. |
 55 Tournemire-Roquefort, where else? 20 June 2011. |
 56 Departmental vehicles in the former bay at Tournemire-Roquefort. 20 June 2011. |
 57 Tournemire-Roquefort looking towards Béziers. 20 June 2011. |
 58 Tournemire-Roquefort was once a junction with a branch from Le Vigan and Quissac. The line closed to L'Hospitalet in1955 but was briefly resurected by the army in the late 1970s/early 1980s. The former branch yard remains alongside the mainline. The branch headed off through the hillside and turned through nearly 180° within the next couple of miles. 20 June 2011. |
 59 Part of the former loco depot at Tournemire-Roquefort. 20 June 2011. |
 60 Concrete fencing at Tournemire-Roquefort. 20 June 2011. |
 61 Overlooking the Tarn Gorge at Compeyre showing viaduc du Terrals. 20 June 2011. |
 62 Viaduc du Terrals. The gradient here is 33.3/1000 (approxinmately 1 in 30) in the early stages of a 15km climb out of the Tarn valley. 20 June 2011. |
 63 Viaduc d'Aguessac and the village of Aguessac. 20 June 2011. |
 64 As no trains were running north of Millau, presumably due to the dtrike action, I took various angles of Viaduc d'Aguessac which seems to have a large number of photographic possibilities. 20 June 2011. |
 65 Viaduc d'Aguessac and the village of Aguessac with the Causses Noir in the background overlooking the Tarn. 20 June 2011. |
 66 A view down into Aguessac. The straight on the railway is the site of the station with the loco depot on the right. The overhead wires in the foreground are on Viaduc d'Aguessac. 20 June 2011. |
 67 Tournemire-Roquefort looking north with the Ligne des Causses on the left and the La Vigan/Quissac line on the right. 21 June 2011. |
 68 Looking back towards Tournemire-Roquefort from the formation of the La Vigan branch. 21 June 2011. |
 69 South of Tournemire-Roquefort the line appears to be double track. However, the overgrown line furthest from the camera is the St Affrique route which ran parallel to la Ligne des Causses until heading west away from the line. This view is towards Tournemire-Roquefort. 21 June 2011. |
 70 The level crossing in the previous view is at km 523. 21 June 2011. |
 71 A view towards Béziers at km 523 with the St Affrique formation on the right. This line finally closed to goods traffic in 1992 but lost its passenger service in December 1939. Closer to St Affrique the route is now a cycle track. 21 June 2011. |
 72 Km 523 level crossing looking towards Tournemire-Roquefort. 21 June 2011. |
 73 Back in Compeyre and an alternative view of Aguessac and its viaduct with the rover Tarn on the left. 21 June 2011. |
 74 The Tarn valley and Aguessac from Compeyre. 21 June 2011. |
 75 Waiting for a train in fading light; this view is from the small car park and viewing area in Compeyre. 21 June 2011. |
 76 A train! This is the 18:42 Millau to St Chély d'Apecher passing the site of Aguessac station and about to start climbing out of the Tarn valley. 21 June 2011. |
 77 The 18:42 Millau to St Chély d'Apcher crosses viaduc d'Aguessac a little while after the clouds had obscured the sun. 21 June 2011. |
 78 Looking up the 15km climb out of the Tarn valley from below Compeyre. 22 June 2011. |
 79 All the bridges on the line have similar protection against the overhead wires which are energised at 1500V dc. There should be a warning sign on the brackes but it's gone somewhere. 22 June 2011. |
 80 Compeyre stands on the hill overlooking the line and viaduc des Terrals. The line here used to be double track which helped with pathing in steam days allowing assisting engines to return to Millau without hindering the progress of the next northbound train. 22 June 2011. |
 81 Viaduc des Terrals looking down the 33.3/1000 (approxinmately 1 in 30) gradient towards Aguessac. 22 June 2011. |
 82 The weather was not playing ball but none the less this view of the 10:27 Millau to Rodez crossing viaduc des Terrals is pleasing none the less. The line to Rodez, which leaves the Ligne des Causses at Sévérac-le-Château, is not electrified hence the use of a diesel railcar. 22 June 2011. |
 83 The line can be seen sometimes clinging to the hillside as it climbs hard out of the Tarn valley beyond Compeyre. On the far right a tunnel mouth can be glimpsed. 22 June 2011. |
 84 South of Millau the line, which is alongside the river Tarn, is crossed with the A75 autoroute on the spectacular Millau Viaduct. The pillar in this view is the second tallest being 221m from its base to the road deck with another 90m above the road. The tallest pillar, out of view to the right is 245m tall. The river to the road is just 270m - 886ft. 22 June 2011. |
 85 The historic village of Peyre sits alongisde the river Tarn with the Ligne des Causses in betwee. There was a station here somewhere but not anymore. 22 June 2011. |
 86 A typical stanchion at Peyre. When the Midi hoop type stanchion is not in use this is the common type on the line. 22 June 2011. |
 87 Typical metal fencing alongside the Ligne des Causses. 22 June 2011. |
 88 Peyre and the Ligne des Causses looking towards Millau. 22 June 2011. |
 89 The Tarn and Ligne des Causses at Peyre. 22 June 2011. |
 90 Millau Vidauct seen from Peyre. 22 June 2011. |
 91 The still waters of the Tarn give an excellent reflection of Peyre and the railway. 22 June 2011. |
 92 A small bridge at Peyre which looks to have been given some attention in recent times. 22 June 2011. |
 93 The railway sits on top of a substantial retaining wall as it squeezes between the Tarn and Peyre. 22 June 2011. |
 94 Peyre, allotments and the Ligne des Causses in a view towards Béziers. 22 June 2011. |
 95 Looking towards Béziers at Peyre. 22 June 2011. |
 96 The weather only got worse this day! Low cloud being driven in with rain by a stiff wind threathened to obscure this view at times. The train is the "successor" to the "l'Aubrac" through train from Paris. During my visit the now Clermont Ferrand - Beziers service was running St Chely - Beziers with a bus from Clermont Ferrand due to engineering work leading to the temporary closure of Garabit Viaduct. So, this is 15:39 St Chely to Beziers crossing viaduc des Terrals. To get a decent shutter speed the camera was set to 1600ISO for this shot. The wonders of digital photography! 22 June 2011. |
 97 The same photograph as previous but in black and white - which is what I had in mind when I took it. The 15:39 St Chely to Beziers crosses viaduc des Terrals. 22 June 2011. |
 98 Still climbing hard out of the Tarn valley on the 15km climb at Vezouillac, looking towards Neussargues. 23 June 2011. |
 99 Looking down the gradient at Vezouillac. 23 June 2011. |
 100 A typical bridge over the line at Vezouillac. 23 June 2011. |
 101 At Vezouillac with a typical geological feature - La butte de Suèges - in the background. 23 June 2011. |
 102 Vezouillac viaduct. 23 June 2011. |
 103 Viewed from the road to Suèges the line can be made out in the scenery. The lines climbs from left to right. 23 June 2011. |
 104 The village of Serres is in the background with the course of the line is clear on the climb from Aguessac. 23 June 2011. |
 105 Looking towards the Tarn valley the line is just visible in the trees in the middle distance. 23 June 2011. |
 106 Also from the Suèges road the line is in the foreground with the competetion in the form of the A75 autoroute in the middle distance. 23 June 2011. |
 107 Moments after the sun had gone in the 15:39 from St Chély to Béziers drops down the bank and across Vezouillac viaduct. The gradient here is 31.8/1000 (approximately 1 in 31.5.) 23 June 2011. |
 108 On the road beyond Compeyre looking down into the Tarn valley the line twists around. 23 June 2011. |
 109 Looking roughly north up the Tarn valley the line, or rather the overhead, can be seen amongst the trees. 23 June 2011. |
 110 The 18:42 Millau to St Chély d'Apcher crosses viaduc des Terrals below Compeyre - at last this train's running combined with some evening sun resulting in a very pleasing photograph. 23 June 2011. |
 111 Aguessac substation. 24 June 2011. |
 112 My favourite pair of gates in France. Presumably a work in progress but there again..... 24 June 2011. |
 113 The line at Auguessac where the small former depot, which once had a turntable, still stands. View towards Millau 24 June 2011. |
 114 Aguessac station and yard. 24 June 2011. |
 115 Compeyre stands on the hill above the railway with viaduc des Terrals on the right. The gradient is obvious! 24 June 2011. |
 116 Aguessac and its viaduct, the graident is again obvious. 24 June 2011. |
 117 The Ligne des Causses climbing out of the Tarn valley beyond Aguessac. 24 June 2011. |
 118 The line continues to climb out of the Tarn valley. 24 June 2011. |
 119 The 08:52 Rodez to Millau railcar descends the grade across viaduc des Terrals below the ancient village of Compeyre. 24 June 2011. |
 120 The 08:52 Rodez to Millau railcar crosses viaduc d'Aguessac. 24 June 2011. |
 121 Don't touch the overhead. A sign dating from electrification in the 1930s. 24 June 2011. |
 122 In Aguessac looking down the gradient towards Millau. 24 June 2011. |
 123 In Aguessac looking up the gradient. 24 June 2011. |
 124 Lineside in Aguessac looking down the gradient towards Millau. 24 June 2011. |
 125 Viaduc d'Aguessac, classic Chemin de Fer du Midi overhead and Compeyre. 24 June 2011. |
 126 The 10:27 Millau to Rodez railcar climbs across viaduc d'Aguessac. 24 June 2011. |
 127 The 09:12 Beziers to St Chely (then bus to Clermont Ferrand) climbs the 31.8/1000 (approximately 1 in 31.5) gradient out of the Tarn valley at Serres. 24 June 2011 |
 128 The 09:12 Beziers to St Chely (then bus to Clermont Ferrand) climbs the 31.8/1000 (approximately 1 in 31.5.) gradient out of the Tarn valley at Serres. 24 June 2011 |
 129 And away into the distance. The 09:12 Beziers to St Chely near Serres. 24 June 2011 |
 130 The summit of the 15km climb from Aguessac at Engayresque. The line has now entered the Grand Gausses region. In the 15km from Aguessac the line has climbed 467m (1532ft) to 839m (2752ft). 24 June 2011. |
 131 As the line descends from Engayreque towards Sévérac-le-Château is enters a tunnel. This is one of the tunnel vents. 24 June 2011. |
 132 Sévérac-le-Château station. 24 June 2011. |
 133 Details of the timetable alterations due to the closure of the line north of St Chély. 24 June 2011. |
 134 Sévérac-le-Château looking towards Millau and Béziers. 24 June 2011. |
 135 Looking north at Sévérac-le-Château. The Rodez line heads off to the left beyond the substation whilst the Ligne des Causses starts to climb away at 30/1000 (approximatley 1 in 33 1/3). 24 June 2011. |
 136 Sévérac-le-Château was once an important place with a large yard and loco depot. Only bits remain now. 24 June 2011. |
 137 Sévérac-le-Château sits in the middle distance, overlooked by the Château on the hill, with the railway climbing at 33/1000 out of the valley. 24 June 2011. |
 138 It might not look it but the gradient here, on the climb north out of Sévérac-le-Château remains at 30/1000 (1 in 33 1/3). 24 June 2011. |
 139 The gradient here is more obvious! Sévérac-le-Château can just be made out in the distance. 24 June 2011. |
 140 Looking the other way from the same location as for the previous photo this is the summit of the climb out of Sévérac-le-Château at Col de la Garde. The height is 801m (2628ft). 24 June 2011. |
 141 Just north of the summit at Col de la Garde and the line is off downhill again but this time the gradient is only 17/1000 (approximately 1 in 59), so an easy gradient on this route. 24 June 2011. |
 142 An SNCF conifer perhaps? 24 June 2011. |
 143 Campagnac St. Genez station. The buildings are now in private ownership. 24 June 2011. |
 144 This is the modern station building at Campagnac St. Genez now spelt Campagnac-St-Genies. 24 June 2011. |
 145 In the department of Averyon Campagnac St. Genez station is at 660.68m (approximately 2167ft). 24 June 2011. |
 146 The 11:45 St Chély to Béziers train arrives at Campagnac St. Genez station. 24 June 2011. |
 147 And after a short pause the 11:45 St Chély to Béziers train sets off from Campagnac St. Genez station. The line starts to climb away towards Col de la Garde at 30/1000. 24 June 2011. |
 148 The former station toilets at Campagnac St. Genez are now in use as stables. Presumably the building smells much the same as it did during its original use! 24 June 2011. |
 149 Viaduc de St. Laurent d'Olt through the trees on the side of the D37. 24 June 2011. |
 150 Viaduc de St. Laurent d'Olt as it crosses the D37. 24 June 2011. |
 151 Viaduc de St. Laurent d'Olt looking south. The line is climbing here at 30/1000 (1 in 33 1/3) away from the camera. 24 June 2011. |
 152 Viaduc de St. Laurent d'Olt. 24 June 2011 |
 153 Banassac La Canourgue station. 24 June 2011. |
 154 Banassac La Canourgue station looking northwards towards Neussargues. 24 June 2011. |
 155 Banassac La Canourgue station looking towards Béziers. 24 June 2011. |
 156 Banassac La Canourgue is in the department of Lozere at 529.50m (1737ft). 24 June 2011. |
 157 Banassac La Canourgue station seen from the car park side. 24 June 2011. |
 158 The 15:39 St Chély to Béziers replacement for the l'Aubrac heads south across viaduc de la Rimieze. This viaduct is between St Chely and Aumont-Aubrac and can be seen from the A75 autoroute which is parallel to the line at this point. The river it crosses with popular with fishing enthusiasts and families out for a paddle. 26 June 2011. |
 159 Viaduc de la Rimieze in morning light. 28 June 2011. |
 160 Viaduc de la Rimieze offers several nice photographic angles, but not this one during morning light! 28 June 2011. |
 161 The 08:53 Millau to St Chély service crosses viaduc de la Rimieze. The A75 autoroute bridge across the same river can be seen in the background. 28 June 2011. |
 162 The north end of Banassac La Canourgue looking south. 28 June 2011. |
 163 The 11:45 St Chély to Béziers runs south alongside the Lot just to the north of Banassac La Canourgue. This was not the train I had expected to photograph here. I had waited for the northbound 09:13 Beziers - St Chely but it never showed up. I believe, but could be wrong, that the unit had failed the previous day so the service was cancelled. 28 June 2011. |
 164 The 11:45 St Chély to Béziers just to the north of Banassac La Canourgue. 28 June 2011. |
 165 The Ligne des Causses and the river Lot north of Banassac La Canourgue. 28 June 2011. |
 166 At Les Ajustons the Ligne des Causses emerges from a tunnel, crosses the Lot then immediately crosses the D809 on the level. This is followed in very quick succession by a short tunnel, another level crossing with the D809 and finally a crossing of the Lot again. This is the first of the level crossings. 28 June 2011. |
 167 The is the first of the level crossings over the D809 at Les Ajustons and the short tunnel which follows. The second level crossing can be made out through the tunnel as can the next bridge over the Lot. 28 June 2011. |
 168 Looking south from the most southerly of the level crossings at Les Ajustons with the bridge over the Lot and the short tunnel to its south. 28 June 2011. |
 169 Level Crossing and overhead warning sign at Les Ajustons. 28 June 2011. |
 170 The Hotel - Bar - Restaurent Les Ajustons sits besides the D809 at its junction with the N88. Prior to the building of the A75 autoroute this road must have been very busy and presumably passing trade was good. The concrete viaduct carries the N88 to and from the A75. The lights and boom for the northern level crossing here can be seen next to the road signs. 28 June 2011. |
 171 The second (northern) level crossing at Les Ajustons. 28 June 2011. |
 172 The second (northern) crossing of the Lot at Les Ajustons. 28 June 2011. |
 173 A second view of the crossing of the Lot with the N88 viaduct in the background. 28 June 2011. |
 174 Looking south from the northern most level crossing through the tunnel to the other level crossing, bridge over the Lot and other tunnel. 28 June 2011. |
 175 At the junction with the line to Mende and La Bastide - La Ligne Gevaudan also known as the Trans-Lozérien. This route is unelectrified and is the further of the two in this view. The bridge is, again, across the Lot. 28 June 2011. |
 176 At Le Monastier station. 28 June 2011. |
 177 The well, presumably no longer used, at Le Monastier. 28 June 2011. |
 178 Looking north at Le Monastier. 28 June 2011. |
 179 Looking south at Le Monastier on another day in the mid 30s C. 28 June 2011. |
 180 Le Monastier station building. 28 June 2011. |
 181 Just to the south of Marvejols station is the difficult to photograph viaduc du Piou. 28 June 2011. |
 182 Marvejols station, with resident shunter, looking north. 28 June 2011. |
 183 Signalling equipment at Marvejols. 28 June 2011. |
 184 Marvejols station building. 28 June 2011. |
 185 Looking south at Marvejols station. 28 June 2011. |
 186 The side of the goods shed at Marvejols has been tastefully decorated. 28 June 2011. |
 187 16:21 at Marvejols station and it was rather warm in the shade, but a thunder storm wasn't far away. 28 June 2011. |
 188 Marvejols station from the car park. 28 June 2011. |
 189 This line through the car park at Marvejols used to serve the local abbatoir. 28 June 2011. |
 190 The former rail served abbatoir at Marvejols. 28 June 2011. |
 191 To the north of Marvejols station looking to the north. The line climbs hard out of Marvejols, climbing here at 27.5/1000 (approximately 1 in 36 1/3). 28 June 2011. |
 192 Looking south from the same bridge as in the prvious photograph with the town of Marvejols off to the left and much lower down. 28 June 2011. |
 193 Looking down the hiill towards Marvejols station. 28 June 2011. |
 194 A wider view of the climb out of Marvejols with the town in the background. The previously mentioned thunder storm is visible on the left. As this photograph was taken large drops of rain were starting to fall. 28 June 2011. |
 195 Looking north over viaduc de Sénouard and the northern edge of Marvejols. 28 June 2011. |
 196 Aumont-Aubrac station. 29 June 2011. |
 197 At Aumont-Aubrac I found the unit used to cover the l'Aubrac service. I believe it failed two days previously. A pair of fitters were in attendance. 29 June 2011. |
 198 Aumont-Aubrac and failed EMU. 29 June 2011. |
 199 Aumont-Aubrac station and EMU on a grey day. 29 June 2011. |
 200 Failed unit at Aumont-Aubrac. 29 June 2011. |
 201 Looking north towards St Chély at Aumont-Aubrac. 29 June 2011. |
 202 Despite retaining its original station building Aumont-Aubrac has also acquired a bus shelter style of building. 29 June 2011. |
 203 Looking south at Aumont-Aubrac and to the tunnel at the south end. 29 June 2011. |
 204 A few kilometers south of Aumont-Aubrac the 08:53 from Millau to St Chély climbs relatively gently at 15/1000 (approximately 1 in 67). 29 June 2011. |
 205 The 08:53 from Millau to St Chély a few kilometers south of Aumont-Aubrac. The line in this area has taken on a different character having left the Causses proper now running over far flatter land than further south and at consistently higher altitude 29 June 2011. |
 206 The 08:53 from Millau heading north near Aumont-Aubrac. 29 June 2011. |
 207 St Chély d'Apecher station. 29 June 2011. |
 208 Looking north at St Chély. At this time, due to engineering work at Garabit, no trains were going north from here. The regular steel flow was suspended. 29 June 2011. |
 209 St Chély station looking south with the 08:53 from Millau in the platform waiting to become the 11:45 to Béziers. 29 June 2011. |
 210 St Chély d'Apecher. 29 June 2011. |
 211 Waiting to form the 11:45 to Béziers at a very grey St Chély. 29 June 2011. |
 212 St Chély station and goods shed. 29 June 2011. |
 213 The now closed station at Arcomie, the highest point of the Ligne des Causses, standing at 1053m (3455ft). 29 June 2011. |
 214 Arcomie station toilets, as they once were. 29 June 2011. |
 215 The derelict station building at Arcomie. 29 June 2011. |
 216 Arcomie, 1053m (3455ft). 29 June 2011. |
 217 Looking for another use, but only if you are hardy given the prevailing climate, Arcomie. 29 June 2011. |
 218 Arcomie station building. 29 June 2011. |
 219 Arcomie substation. 29 June 2011. |
 220 The telephone at Arcomie, 660.6 km. Some way further on from the last telephone shown in this album. 29 June 2011. |
 221 Looking south around the curve at Arcomie. Amazingly the track is level here! 29 June 2011. |
 222 And looking north at Arcomie. 29 June 2011. |
 223 Eifflel's outstanding viaduc de Garabit across the now dammed river Truyère. The viaduct was shut to trains for heavy engineering work. Scaffold work platforms can be seen on two of the vaiduct's uprights. 26 June 2011. |
 224 St Flour-Chaudes-Aigues station. 29 June 2011. |
 225 The goods shed at St Flour. 29 June 2011. |
 226 Opposite St Flour-Chaudes-Aigues station is the now closed Hotel Terminus - typical of many French towns. 29 June 2011. |
 227 La Ligne des Causses looking north near Le Saillant between St Flour and Talizat. 29 June 2011. |
 228 Looking south at Le Saillant. 29 June 2011. |
 229 Near the local summit at Talizat, secodn highest point on the line, in foul weather. It was not difficult this day to see why this area is known as Little Siberia. 29 June 2011. |
 230 Looking south at Talizat. 29 June 2011. |
 231 Talizat station building, now in farming use. 29 June 2011. |
 232 Talizat. The station stands at 934m (3064ft). 29 June 2011. |
 233 Looking down from the higher town at St Flour to the lower town with the station and yard in the left centre. In the distance are the Margeride mountains with highest peak at 1551m (5089ft) high. During the Second World War these mountains were home to many resistance fighters and the scene of many battles with Nazi troops. 30 June 2011. |
 234 St Flour station. This used to be a junction which boasted a loco depot. At this time no trains were calling here due to the engineering block at Garabit. 30 June 2011. |
 235 la Ligne des Causses making its way out of St Flour with Neussargues to the left. 30 June 2011. |
 236 Looking in the direction of Neussargues as the line leaves St Flour with another viaduct visible. 30 June 2011. |
 237 Nuessargues staion and yard, once a much more important place. Béziers trains enter from the far side of the photo. Behind the camera leads to la Ligne du Lioran and Aurillac. 30 June 2011. |
 238 Looking west at Neussargues in the direction of Aurillac - another line shut by lengthy engineering work. Buses were replacing trains. 30 June 2011. |
 239 Take note! Neussargues is the end of the overhead. 30 June 2011. |
 240 Heated point at Neussargues - despite it being another scorthingly hot day it does get cold here. 30 June 2011. |
 241 Neussargues with more platform faces than it now needs. 30 June 2011. |
 242 Neussargues station and yard. Normally there would be steel traffic in the yard here, if the route to St Chély hadn't been shut. 30 June 2011. |
 243 Goods and engineering facilities at Neussargues. 30 June 2011. |
 244 Neussargues. 30 June 2011. |
 245 Looking west at Neussargues with a footbridge which has featured in many generations of railway photographs. 30 June 2011. |
 246 Details of the replacement of trains on the la Ligne du Lioran over a four month period. 30 June 2011. |
 247 War memorial at Neussargues station. 30 June 2011. |
 248 No trains and nothing due for some months. The unused platform the photograph was taken from used to be served by trains to and from Bort-les-Orgues, closed in 1993. When trains run it should be possible to get direct services here towards Béziers, Clermont Ferrand and Aurillac. This view is eastwards. The junction between la Ligne des Causses and the route to Arvant is beyond the signalbox in the distance. 30 June 2011. |
 249 Looking towards Aurillac at Neussargues. Bort-les-Orgues trains peeled off to the right a little way out of the station. The lines between here Bort-les-Orgues and Aurillac along with the Bort-les-Orgues to Aurillac line formed what was known as the 'Triangle du Cantal'. Now only the south leg of the triangle remains open. 30 June 2011. |
 250 Metal gate at Neussargues. 30 June 2011. |
 251 Neussargues which stands at 807m (2648ft). 30 June 2011. |
 252 The lines around Neussargues as they were in 1950. Taken from Henri Lartilleux's classic "Géographie de Chemins de Fer Français Premier Volume 'La S.N.C.F'. |
 253 La Ligne des Causses climbs away from Neussargues at 33/1000 (1 in 30) and out of the Alagnon valley. In the distance the Auvergne region can be seen. 30 June 2011. |
 254 Little Siberia on a hot day. There is a tunnel between the Alagnon valley and the summit at Talizat with the location of the mouth and subsequent route of the line clear to see in this southward view. 30 June 2011. |
 255 Near Talizat on a nice day! 30 June 2011. |
 256 Talizat station and one of the many substations needed to supply the 1500V dc overhead. 30 June 2011. |
 257 A road overbridge near Andelat station not far north of St Flour. 30 June 2011. |
 258 Looking north up the line near Andelat. 30 June 2011. |
 259 Looking towards St Flour near Andelat. 30 June 2011. |