Bandeau
Chemin de Fer Touristique du Vermandois
Chemin de Fer Touristique du Vermandois - Saint-Quentin - Aisne - France

Saint-Quentin - Aisne - France

About the train

Welcome aboard our train, a rolling heritage of the past century. Get ready to travel back in time !

BB 66252 locomotive

The locomotive which will haul your train was built in 1966, during a period when the SNCF sought to replace steam locomotives. It is a diesel-electric locomotive, that is, it is equipped with a 1400 HP 16 cylinder diesel engine that turns a generator which supplies current to four traction motors coupled to the axles. Until 2010 this type of locomotive hauled the trains that served the sugar factory at Origny. It is still the property of the SNCF, which entrusted it to us in 2013.

PLM Panoramic Lounge Car (type A5c5 myfi 597)

This vehicle was built in Lyon in 1930 by Horme-et-Buire in Lyon, for the Compagnie du chemin de fer Paris–Lyon–Méditerranée (PLM railway company). It was originally a 1st class sleeper car, with 10 compartments.
During the 1950s it was transformed into a touring vehicle for the directors of the SNCF, in order to be able to carry out studies and visits to lines. One end was converted into a panoramic lounge with tables and a buffet while the adjoining compartment was converted into a kitchen. The vehicle remains the property of the SNCF, which entrusted it to us in 2001.
This vehicle may be hired as a private saloon.

CIWL restaurant car 3585

This vehicle was built in 1928 by the Entreprises Industrielles Charentaises in Aytré for use on the luxury trains of the Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits (CIWL). It was assigned to the Rome division and, until 1968, ran on all the prestigious express trains passing through Italy such as the Simplon Orient Express, Rome Express. After having been used as premises by the Lions Club of Alençon, the vehicle was bought and restored by our association in 1995. It is the last dining car of this type that still features its original Chinese lacquer decor !
This is the vehicle that is used for the Art Deco dessert, snack or apéritif and the Art Deco dining.

‘Thunderbox’ coaches

These coaches were built in 1928-1930 in Germany for the Deutsche Reichbahn and in 1945 were acquired by the SNCF as war booty. They mainly ran on the branch lines of eastern France, being drawn by the steam locomotives of the time. They owe their nickname of "thunder boxes" to the shape of the metal body which amplifies the noise that arises from the vibration of the axles as they roll along !
Our society acquired these coaches in 1978 and they are of two types :

  • First class with fabric armchairs and closed end balconies :
  • Third class with wooden seats and open end balconies :

It is on board these cars that you will travel by choosing the old fashioned train ride.