WESTERN FRANCE TOUR 2012 - CAEN

The TVR in Caen is now condemned to be replaced by a real tramway, thank goodness!

Twisto rounding the bend outside the Cathedral

Twisto about to enter the Cathedral stop

One Twisto in each direction at the Cathedral stop

Passing the Cathedral in the opposite direction    That's all folks as that evening the fog came down with a vengeance and we didn't see anything more until we entered Portsmouth Harbour!

WESTERN FRANCE TOUR 2012 - LE HAVRE

We deviated via Le Havre on our way top Caen to see the new Le Havre cars at the depot waiting for the opening of the new tramway on 12-12-12.

Gricers trying to get a good view over the fence

Best I could do not being tall enough!

WESTERN FRANCE TOUYR 2102 - ROUEN

The tramway of Rouen is quite different to all other French tramways as it is similar to German Stadtbahn and Belgian Pre Metro systems.  There is an underground trunk route in the city centre and two overground  branches in the southern suburbs.  Overground sections are built to French standard with many grassed tracks.  The planned second underground east-west section has been cancelled due to financial reasons and no more extensions or lines are planned.  A bus system named TEOR, with many bus lanes, tramway-like stations and optical guidance was established for the east-west axis.

Departing terminus at Georges Bracque

Bridge over the Seine - very proud of Joan of Arc connection

Bridge over the Seine - there's always one Sunday motorist!

Entrance to one of the subways at Theatre des Artes - no tram in view as only 20 minute Sunday Service

Georges Bracque terminus

WESTERN FRANCE TOUR 2012 - LE MANS

Le Mans new trams opened at the end of 2007 and make a pleasant change with their bright livery.

Tram to Espal crossing the front of the Gare

No denying the speed! Reached 42 kmh at one stage

Terminus at Universite

Crossing the river

The hill down to the bridge

Passing the Mairie

Espal termnus

Rounding the curve onto the Espal route at St Martin

Corner at the bottom of the hill

WESTERN FRANCE TOUR 2012 - ORLEANS

A return visit to Orleans to see line 2 which opened in June 2012.

The corner in front of the cathedral

The cathedral dominates the view of the main street

Tram station at point where lines cross in the pedestrianised zone

APS running crossing pantograph running

Very frequent service through centre

About to enter the tram station in pedestrianised zone

Presumably rigorous training takes place to prevent both lines meeting unexpectedly!

A very simple chokc at the end of the line

WESTERN FRANCE TOUR 2012 - LIMOGES

Limoges is a trolleybus town with two generations of trolleybus still in operation - the ER100 on route 6 and the modern Cristalis.

Cristalis

ER100 on its way to La Bastide

Trolleybus/bus station at  the top of town

ER100 about to enter trolleybus station

Cristalis on way up hill to trolleybus station

The martyr village of Oradur sur Glane preserved in the condition it was left  after a devastating war time attack, including tramway infrastructure

WESTERN FRANCE TOUR 2012 - TOULOUSE

Toulouse has a two line automatic VAL metro, a suburban railway line and since 2010 a tramway feeder line to the interchange and Aeroconstellation (Airbus factory).

End of the line at Arenes interchange

Progress towards city centre

Promise of more to come

Scheme and timings for progress

Leaving Arenes

En route at Pasteur

Ralais

Depot at Aeroconstallation

WESTERN FRANCE TOUR 2012 - BORDEAUX

Although opening only in 2003, Bordeaux is already one of the biggest tramway systems in France.  There are now 3 lines and further extensions should bring the network to approximately 80km by 2017. APS is on all three routes in the centre as well as in Merignac at the western end of the A.

Crossing the Garonne bridge towards Stalingrad

Porte de Bourgogne

On way to Terres Neuves

On way to Les Aubieres

At Quinconces

Claveau terminus