Rocamadour-Padirac branch line trains

France - 2011

There was a time when each station on a branch line was manned with often a substantial number of staff. In addition there was an active goods yard handling a variety of merchandise and freight. Sadly this situation has almost disappeared from our railways and today most branch line stations are a shadow of their former glory. These images were taken at Rocamadour-Padirac on the SNCF line from Brive to Figeac. The station, which lies some distance from either Rocamadour or Padirac, is now un-manned, the freight yard mostly gone and what remains out of use with the passing loop also rusty with disuse. Once substantial passenger facilities have are now very basic. In France the demise of wagon load freight has been rapid like in the UK and unless there is a dramatic change in policy the day of the local freight train has gone forever.

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