Exploring the railways at Tours

France - 2011

The city of Tours lies to the south west of Paris and is an important railway junction with a large workshops and loco depot. The main station in the city is a terminus and notes for its fine architecture and large overall roof which was under restoration at the time of this visit. The busiest station in the city is St Pierre des Corps which is a few minutes ride from the central station. The workshops and loco depot are located close by. Many longer distance trains avoid the terminus and only stop at St Pierre des Corps from where a shuttle worked by ageing Z5300 EMUs operates at regular intervals into the city. St Pierre des Corps is often very busy with passenger trains and offers a grandstand view of locos leaving the main depot. Freight does not pass through the station and instead is routed through the main goods yard. Do note that St Pierre des Corps station has very little else to offer apart from watching trains!

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