Corsican Railway Modernisation

[Golden Gripper]

A few months ago I was in Corsica, hoping to travel the whole of their narrow guage (metre) system. Unfortunately the section Casamozza to Vizzavona was closed for rebuilding, a process that is being applied to the whole of the Corsican system, and I had to use the Rail Replacement Bus. I travelled the sections from Bastia to Casamozza and Vizzavona to Ajaccio in the new panoramic railcars, which were an excellent ride in comfortable vehicles. Between Ponte Vecchio and Calvi, and on the Tramway de la Baligne section (Ile-Rousse to Calvi) the older sets from the 70s and 80s are still used.

If anyone is interested in narrow gauge I can really recommend a visit, as the mountain scenery is most impressive, especially on the Calvi branch. From Ponte Vecchio to the coast the line runs along the side of precipitous slopes with great views across a barren rocky landscape. From Ile-Rousse the line follows the coast, with the last section into Calvi almost on the beach.

A question, I'd like to go back and travel the whole of the route between Ajaccio and Bastia. Does anyone know when the rebuilding is due to be completed?

 

[Daimler]

Ahh, you missed the best bit of all! Corte - Vizzavona - absolutely fabulous.

The Calvi line is great too, of course (especially if you get to go in the old - 1950s, I believe - Renault autorails down the coast from Ile Rousse!).

We usually go every year, but didn't this time - what are the new railcars like - is there enough capacity, as I know they've been having trouble running them in multiple?

 

[Golden Gripper]

Like I said, the new railcars are very good, comfortable and fast. They also have the advantage of tiered seats behid the driver with a large glass panel in the bulkhead so that you can see the track ahead (or behind). I can see why there may be a problem with seating, as the centre entrance opens onto a large circulating vestibule, with steps up to the saloons (to allow for the tiering).

The other advantage to them is that, when the track rebuilding is completed they will knock about an hour off the Ajaccio - Bastia time. We may not perhaps appreciate this as tourists and enthusiasts, but it shows the seriousness of the Corsican government in making the system an integeral part of the transport infrastructure of the island, which I think is great.