Chemins de fer de la Corse

In 1877 it was decided to build a metre-gauge railway in Corsica, despite the very difficult terrain it would have to cross. The first lines opened on 1 August 1888 In 1955, there was a proposal to close the Calvi – Ponte-Leccia line; and in 1959 another proposal to close the whole network, which was successfully opposed by the railway workers and the citizens of Corsica. In 1972, another proposal for closure was fought off. == Network ==

With a length of , the network is composed of two lines, both single track: • Ajaccio–Bastia via Ponte-Leccia and Corte, ; • Calvi–Ponte Leccia via L'Île-Rousse, . A third line of , opened between 1888 and 1935, served the east coast; it linked Casamozza to Porto-Vecchio. After suffering much damage during World War II in September 1943, it was never restored, although the section between Casamozza and Folleli remained open until 1953. The track of the disused line, between Casamozza and Moriani, at , is being considered for reopening. The island's geography and topography has forced the line to follow it. The network has 32 tunnels and 51 bridges and viaducts. The longest tunnel, at , is near Vizzavona. This tunnel is also the highest on the network, at high. The viaduct at Vecchio, long and high, was designed by Gustave Eiffel. The CFC is the only metre gauge line in France carrying freight. One train a day operates over the Ajaccio-Bastia line. In winter, the Vizzavona pass is often blocked, and closed to road traffic. Most of the goods wagons are today used for track maintenance purposes. ==Stations==

The network is owned by the government of France and not by Réseau Ferré de France. The Collectivité Territoriale de Corse, CTC, is the concessionary holder of the network, under the act of parliament on regionalisation of railways in France, and is the transport authority and regulator of railway services. The CTC has entrusted the SNCF with the operation of rail services since 1 January 1983. A nine-year agreement between these bodies under the Loi Sapin came into effect on 1 September 2001. A modernisation plan agreed by the national government, the CTC and the SNCF envisages the investment of 110 million euros. These funds are to be allocated to the modernisation of rolling stock and infrastructure, thus reducing travel time. An extension of the network towards the airports at Bastia and Ajaccio is also envisaged. ==Rolling stock==

Current rolling stock Services are provided with sixteen multiple units and locomotives. All are diesel-powered. ;Multiple units • Four There are also ten Billard railcars that have had their engines removed, used as trailers. These include XR113, XR504, XR505 and XR526. Twelve AMG800 railcars were delivered between June 2007 and 2009. These will reduce journey times on the Bastia-Corte-Ajaccio route to 2h 30m and allow the Soulé railcars to be transferred to the Bastia-Calvi route. • Three FAUR diesel locomotives built in Romania, 45001–003 with Maybach engines. Owned by Constructions Ferroviaires Giragr (CFG), used for track improvement work prior to introduction of the AMG800 railcars. Caterpillar engines. Owned by CFG, used for track improvement work prior to introduction of the AMG800 railcars. ;Diesel locomotives. • 403 created from the remains of Billard railcar X103. Withdrawn in 1962. • 1 built by CFD in 1948, to CFC in 1966. Preserved at MTVS. • 2 built by Voies ferrées du Dauphiné in 1950, to CFC in 1966. • 3 built by CFD Seine et Marne in 1951, to CFC in 1967. • 114 built from Billard railcar X114. In use until the early 1990s, now withdrawn from service and stored at Casarnozza. ;Billard railcars. • Six ;De Dion-Bouton railcars. X158 OC1 series. Ex Chemin de Fer de la Baie de Somme, Réseau Breton and Chemin de Fer des Côtes-du-Nord, preserved at Langueux, France. ;Renault railcars. • Eight ;Freight stock. The CFC had over 500 freight wagons. Open wagons were on 10 tonnes capacity. Other wagon types included flat wagons, vans, tarpaulin wagons, tank and hopper wagons, as well as three cranes. ;Departmental stock. • One Campagne inspection vehicle, built in 1932. • Six Billard inspection vehicles, numbered 741–746, built in 1936. • Billard railcar, formerly X503, rebodied and used as crew car. • One inspection vehicle, details unknown. ==Service==

Service is essentially composed of passenger trains. It is divided into different activities: • Inter-urban services: • Four return journeys between Bastia and Ajaccio (, travel time 3 hours 25 minutes) • One return journey between Bastia and Calvi (, travel time 2 hours 44 minutes) • Three return journeys between Ponte Leccia and la Balagne, of which two terminate short at l'Île-Rousse where an interchange exists with the Tramway de la Balagne. • Frequent suburban services: • Between Bastia and Casamozza () and nicknamed the Bastia métro. Twenty stations are served in 30 minutes. • Between Calvi and l'Île-Rousse () and nicknamed Tramway de la Balagne. Eighteen stations are served in 50 minutes. Frequent service is provided throughout Summer with a reduced service in the Winter season. Goods traffic amounts to less than per annum. == References ==