The TTA revisited in 2004

In 2004 I revisited the Tramway Touristique de l'Aisne for the first time in over 10 years. It was a cold and cloudy weekday in early May and the line was closed. There was no one present even at the Blier depot: the gates and fences were tightly shut. Still there was plenty to see and I had a chance to walk over the line near Dochamps, where I found nothing but decay in 1993. Although there were clear signs of recent work on the line at and above Dochamps it became apparent that a great deal of work is required before we will see through services again to the upper terminus of Lamormenil. The line below Dochamps has seen much improvement work, but the overall condition of the track still isn't up to standard. Other sources on the Internet claim that regular services run to Forge à l'Aplez only and the Dochamps section only sees an occasional diesel tram. The station layout at Dochamps is only partly completed with two points laid in the main line, but no run-round loop yet. The state of the track doesn't seem to be up to regular working yet.

At the other end of the line at Pont d'Erezée a new station building is being constructed by a contractor which probably is intended to give the line better passenger facilities. Regrettably only a short distance away at Blier a fair proportion of the historic rolling stock is out in all weathers because the covered storage area in the depot is far too small. In one or two places along the line the wrecks can be seen of vehicles so far gone that the viability of restoration is doubtful. There must be some reason why a substantial station building at Pont d'Erezée has precedence over storage space and over restoring the beautiful extension to Lamormenil, but I fail to see it. Despite which the atmosphere of the little tramway is well worth a visit, so if you are in the vicinity, take a tram ride through the woods…

Overview of Amonines station where several wrecks of rolling stock are in the siding (see photos at right).

A unique piece of rolling stock is this snowplough which I noticed during my last visit of 1993. Regrettably this is in a very run-down state, with huge holes rusted in the bodywork.

Underframe detail of a goods vehicle bearing the legend 'SNCV' on the axle boxes. Another interesting object is the point lever in the foreground.

Undoubtedly the new station at Pont d'Erezée will improve the passenger's first impression, but the rolling stock wrecks beside it gave me food for thought. The bow-ended tram goods vehicle in the photo at right has lost its sides since I saw it in 1993.

In the Blier depot part of the historic collection of rolling stock is out in the rain. The paintwork is badly faded and the two vans in the photo below have clearly suffered from being parked outside over the years.

Left: the line across a bridge below Dochamps which was broken in 1993 has now been extended. The bridge itself is only a weathered stone arch and a few retaining walls. At right: the steep climb towards Dochamps.

Most of this section has been repaired to a reasonable standard (left), but in one or two places the rails are on rotten sleepers with the rail screws quite loose (right). Only light stock can pass here.

In Dochamps station are two points without a passing loop. The main line itself and the climb in the distance are in a fair condition. The sharp curve at the head of the valley (right) hasn't seen much improvement since 1993. Here the line runs over a beautiful stone arch bridge across the Aisne river. The bridge seems in a fairly good state.

Markings on the rail indicate recent surveying work. The rail is fastened to a new sleeper every few yards, probably to keep it in check.

Higher above Dochamps the ballast has been dug out to put in a new culvert. The trees on the slope below have been removed: note the view.

Still higher up substantial trees grow where only young ones were seen in 1993. See photos on first page.

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