menu

The operating diesel locomotives

Introduction

People often think that the interest of the public is only for steamlocomotives. These would be what everyone who comes to us dreams of.

Perhaps it is the case (who knows!) but in fact the last steamlocomotives which were operated in France, Germany, GB or USA were scrapped in the mid of the 70's! That's to say: the number of people who know them when they were operated in commercial service is declining fast. Only what is written in books, burnt on DVD and seen in museums will be known about these machines and  only from the interested people, that's to say: not really the general public!.

No more nostalgia in the eyes of the (young) visitor because he has never known the steam era. Curiosity, amusement ("how could they use this kind of noisy, weak and polluting transportation mode?"), compassion ("people were really traveling slowly in this time") or for some of them perhaps (hopefully) the wonder at these machines which belong to the heritage of their country!

We furthermore should never forget that nostalgia exists mostly for the time that people knew when they were young. For more and more people, this time is the transition time between steam and diesel locomotives, in the beginning 70's. Machines they saw in this time were green diesels (French State Railway common color) with central cab and with cloud of smoke but only during acceleration!

For these visitors, the CFTR has a lot of different locomotives and the diversity is a must. Just click on the picture of each locomotive to get a short presentation of it!

This Baldwin locomotive N°62029 from type DRS 6-4-660 was the property of a founding member until it has been bought by the association in 2020. Alternating with the V22, it pulls the train (including the steam locomotive) from the depot to the station before visitors are boarding. It is necessary to the turning in Sans-soucis, the locality where trench tourists get off the train and german tourists the boat.


 The V22 belongs to the association and comes from the fromer Eastern germany.

The Decauville (french origine) is also property of the association and is not used for pulling the train during the commercial operation but we need it very often for the shunting at the depot. Its high adhesion and its hydraulic transmission are decisive advantages when considerable masses needs have to be put in motion.

The Deutz (West germany origin) has been bought in 2005 by the association. It has been built directly after WW2. It is used when the V22 is not available or in alternance with the Decauville.

The Y 2402 (originally from the French state railways) belongs to the association and is used during the operation for turning the train at Sans-Soucis.

The internal called Hispano-suiza (because of its in-line 6 cylinder diesel engine) is only used at the depot because it is not allowed to run on the main line.

The so-called Moyse (That's the name of the manufacturer) is only used at the depot because of its high adhesion / high mass which gives him a high starting tractive effort.

 Our swiss Deutz with V12 Deutz engine which is now regularlly used  for switching at our depot and sometimes goes out to run the train from the depot to the Volgelsheim station and vice-versa.

 This Moyse is internally called "DMC". It is the property of the association and is a piece of history because it has been built for the former imperial railway of Elsaß-Lothringen. A long time, It has not been used because of difficulties concerning its electric transmission. Now it has been repaired and can help to put the cold steam locomotives in motion. Another Moyse has been acquired in 2014 for spare parts! Again, a lot of work to do!

The Breuer, a german machine which is really extraordinary.

The Saviem, a french special rubbed tyred like the mythical Micheline from the 30's!


The locomotives are mostly property of the association but sometimes members bought them and made them available for it. They are mostly acquired from industries or businesses who wanted to scrap them and sold them either to the scrap metal price or (if they are happy to to get rid of them) for a very symbolic offering. Sometimes, they have been bought during an auction or from a metal wrecker, just before they are torch cut. Without their help, the operation of the touristic railway wound't be possible.

Either they have an operational or a heritage interest or a particular charm.


Steamlocomotives  Scraped machines