No pain, no gain

Even though I was there for work, I had the pleasure of visiting the Aude River and Roussillon areas. I managed to chase without too much difficulty the scheduled service that departs Rivesaltes at 09:45 and reaches Saint-Paul-de-Fenouillet at 11:02, where passengers change to the open-top train.

This spectacular line, which boasts some truly wonderful scenery, was closed down back in the 1990s. Around the same time, railway enthusiasts founded the TPCF Association, successfully securing the necessary operating licences and rolling stock to run the line.

It has since become a major tourist attraction that brings life back to the valley, which in turn has rescued both the infrastructure and the rolling stock, most of which is kept in perfect working order.

The photograph features multiple unit X4573 with trailer car XR8592 at the rear, having just cleared the level crossing on the D117 road as it makes its approach to Maury.