NEW PAGE: the TTA revisited in 2004

When we arrived in our holiday destination in the Belgian Ardennes in 1993, I came across the Tramway Touristique de l'Aisne (TTA), a preserved section of the former SNCV metre gauge line between Manhay and Melreux which was re-opened in 1965. The line is situated in the Aisne valley not far from La Roche-en-Ardennes, and runs from Pont d'Erezée through the hamlets of Blier, Amonines and Forge à l'Aplez to a spot in the wilderness below the village of Dochamps.

locos and rolling stock

The TTA built its depot and repair shops on a former siding at Blier and these have been extended to house the growing collection of rolling stock. Showing my 009 Society card (which I regret they didn't recognize!), I asked whether I could have a look inside the depot. Visitors aren't usually allowed inside, but as things were fairly quiet I got a guided tour for the price of an ordinary return ticket. The TTA has about 70 items of metre gauge rolling stock from all over Belgium, of which about half have been restored either to running order, or cosmetically for display purposes. These include a few diesel railcars and trailers, a number of tramcars from municipal tramways and some steam-era carriages. Restored goods stock include flat and open wagons, goods and guards vans and even a tank wagon. A few goods vehicles from the Rhätische Bahn came down through industrial use.

For works purposes, there was a modern Deutz 0-4-0 diesel, and two steam locos were in store, a Corpet & Louvet 0-6-0T (no.24 La Scarpe) of 1907, and an 0-6-0 tram engine (no. HL1076) built by Grand Hornu in 1920. At the time their boilers were worn out, having been in use for a long time, but otherwise they were conserved in excellent condition. At that moment, the TTA would rather invest in re-establishing the station at Dochamps first than repair the steam locos. Recent information suggests however that HL1076 is back in use again. The non-restored items were stabled outside the sheds at Blier and on sidings at Erezée and Amonines. Some were still in running order, and others virtual wrecks after decades out in the rain. Interesting items I saw in 1993 were a peculiar bow-ended open wagon with a tramcar underframe, an overhead wire maintenance van and an SNCV metre-gauge snowplough. This however was completely rotten, with fist-size holes rusted in its bodywork and underframe.

route description

We made a return trip in the beautifully restored autorail (diesel railcar) AR133 along 6 miles of line which mainly traverse pleasant woodland alongside the Aisne river. Of the original track layouts at the wayside stations of the former tramway much remains, although no original buildings have survived. The layouts at Pont d'Erezée, Amonines and Forge à l'Aplez are virtually unchanged from their operational days. The TTA was planning to re-establish the station at Dochamps which was demolished a long time ago. In addition, the original access rights from the SNCV to the TTA include the 2 miles of trackbed between Dochamps and Lamormenil. Above Dochamps the line curves sharply on a steep gradient, crosses the valley on an embankment and doubles back on the other side of the stream. The curve is so sharp that initially I lost it when following the course of the line. The overgrown and completely rotten track continues climbing steeply until it peters out in the fields outside Lamormenil, where the station site is still occupied by an old carriage body. Perhaps we may one day see the tramway return to Lamormenil. And what an extension it would be, with the line on a shelf in the valley side and old HL1076 spitting steam and smoke as it struggles uphill towards Lamormenil like it must have 60 years ago.

conclusion

Considering all, the TTA is well worth visiting for anyone passing through the La Roche area. A timetable is published at the Internet site shown below. Information is available during operating hours from Dépôt de Blier, rue du TTA, 6997 Amonines - Erezée, telephone (086)474269. The TTA can be reached easily by driving South from Liege on the E25 taking the Manhay exit (no.49), continuing through Manhay to Erezée.