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Chemins de Fer de Provence - CP
Page 1A: Rolling Stock - Autorails
 
 
This page is one of a series devoted to postcards and photographs of the Chemins de Fer de Provence (CP), which now runs between Nice and Digne. This page shows CP rolling stock - the autorails. Page 1B covers the diesel locos and trailers. CP-Page 2 covers the stations and CP publicity. CP- Page 3 shows larger images of timetables.
 
The Compagnie des Chemins de fer du Sud de la France (SF), built lines Nice-Digne and Nice-Draguignan-Meyrargues, before becoming in 1925, more modestly, the Compagnie des Chemins de Fer de Provence (CP). The Gare du Sud was the Nice terminus for these lines.
Work on the Gare du Sud began in 1890 and finished in 1892 by Prosper Bobin for the Compagnie des Chemins de fer du Sud de la France. The station front is rather monumental and impressive with a high front, with two pavilions to the side. A tall trainshed covered the tracks that went to Grasse and Puget-Théniers. Lines to Digne and Annot opened in 1911. The rooftop was the pavillion of Russia and Austria-Hungary of the 1889 Exposition Universelle in Paris.
 
After World War II, the line to Meyrargues closed and almost took the entire network with it. The Chemins de Fer de Provence closed the Gare du Sud in December 1991 and moved its terminating services to Nice CP. Ownership of the station building was transferred from l'Etat Français to Nice Municipality. Amidst public outcry, the station was almost dismantled but public demonstrations saved it. Work has finally started on the site, although it appears that only the facade will be retained in the new civic complex, containing the town hall, library etc.
 
Since their delivery in 1984, the Soulé-Garnéro Twin-car Set has operated the main morning service to Digne and its return. Other services use the CFD autorails X-301-X-304 and the slightly later X-305 & X-306, all of which can be run in multiple (I have never seen more than two operating together). Trailer XR-1331 is added to a single CFD car at peak periods.
 
On my 2007 visit to the railway, two of the ex-Swiss coaches were being run in a push-pull formation with one of the Brissonneau and Lotz diesels. This set has not been in use during 2008 and 2009 visits. The Soulé-Garnéro Twin-car Set suffered a major fire on 25th June 2008 and has not operated since. This has left the railway short of stock, and units X2003 and trailer XR105 from the CFC (Chemin de Fer Corses) arrived in December 2008 and January 2009 for use by the CP. X2003 is a CFD railcar similar to X-305 & X-306. It will be re-numbered X-307 on the CP. CFC XR105 is a Garnero trailer of similar outline to the railcar. The CP has also enquired elsewhere in France and Europe for suitable stock, including displaced Verney vehicles at Blanc-Argent, to tide the CP over until new vehicles on order arrive.
 
 
Sections on this Page 1A:-
Autorails - Billard
Autorails - Brissonneau-et-Lotz du Littoral
Autorails - CFD : X-301-X-304
X-301 - X-302 - X-303 - X-304
Autorails - CFD: X-305 & X-306
X-305 - X-306
Autorails - Renault Class ABH1
Autorails - Renault Class ABH5
Autorails - Soulé-Garnéro Twin-car Set
 
Sections on Page 1B:-
Autorails - Trailers
Diesel Locomotives - Brissonneau and Lotz
T62 - T66
Diesel Locomotive - Henschel BB1200
Swiss Coaches
 
Sections on Page 2:-
Preserved Steam
Publicity
Publicity - Postcards
Stations
 
Sections on Page 3:-
Nice-Digne Timetable - 2005
Regional Timetable - 2005
Urban Timetable - 2005
 
Associated Pages:-
CP Page 1A - Rolling Stock - Autorails - this page!
CP Page 1B - Rolling Stock - Diesel Locos & Trailers
CP Page 2 - Chemins de Fer de Provence Stations & Publicity
CP Page 3 - larger images of timetables
Chemin de Fer de la Corse - Corsican Narrow Gauge (CFC)
Nice - Nice Header Page
Nice Photo Diary - February 2009 - Trams, CP and ferries
Nice Trams - Page 1 - Route T1
Nice Trams - Page 2 - The Trams
Simplon Postcards Home Page
 
References:-
Le Siecle du Train des Pignes - Jose Banaudo - Les Editions du Cabri 1992 (Histoires des Chemins de fer de Provence -1)
 
 
 
 
Renault Autorails Class ABH1
ZZ-1 to ZZ-6
 
Six large autorails by Renault of Class ABH1 were delivered in two batches, ZZ-1 and ZZ-2 in 1935, followed by ZZ-3 to ZZ-6 in 1936. Of these, only ZZ-2 and ZZ-6 remain, although not in general service. A second series of Renault autorails, of Class ABH5, were delivered in 1942 numbered ZZ-7 to ZZ-12. Only ZZ-10 of these remains in existence, although no longer in general service. Similar, but later Renault railcars of class ABH8 are still running on the Chemin de Fer de la Corse (CFC).
 
 
ZZ-22 (ex-ZZ-2) at Nice in August 2000
Photo: © Ian Boyle
 
 
ZZ-22 (ex-ZZ-2) at Nice in August 2000
Photo: © Ian Boyle
 
 
ZZ-22 (ex-ZZ-2) at Nice in August 2000
Photo: © Ian Boyle
 
 
ZZ-6 stored in the disused metre Gauge station at Digne, in February 2003
Photo: © Ian Boyle
 
 
ZZ-6 stored in the disused metre Gauge station at Digne, in February 2003
Photo: © Ian Boyle
 
 
ZZ-6 stored in the disused metre Gauge station at Digne, in February 2003
Photo: © Ian Boyle
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ZZ-6 stored in the disused metre Gauge station at Digne, in February 2003.
Photo: © Ian Boyl
 
 
ZZ-6 in the snow at Nice, 22nd February 2005
Photo: © Ian Boyle
 
 
ZZ-6 in the snow at Nice, 22nd February 2005
Photo: © Ian Boyle
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ZZ-6 at Nice, 15th February 2006
Photo: © Ian Boyle
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Renault Autorails Class ABH5
ZZ-7 to ZZ-12
 
A second series of Renault autorails, of Class ABH5, were delivered in 1942 numbered ZZ-7 to ZZ-12. Only ZZ-10 of these remains in existence, although no longer in general service. Similar, but later Renault railcars of class ABH8 are still running on the Chemin de Fer de la Corse (CFC).
 
 
F.A.C.S. postcard 507 of a Renault ABH5 autorail, with original window design
 
 
 
 
 
 
Billard Autorails
211, 212, 223, 224
 
Four Billard autorails were transferred from the C.F.D du Vivarais to the CP in 1968. 211 and 212 were single unit railcars of design A150D, originally delivered in 1939. 223 and 224 were twin units of design A150D2, also delivered in 1939. It is hoped that 223 will be restored by G.E.C.P. The Billards were used mainly on quiet lunchtime and evening services, with the main services being run by the larger Renaults ZZ-1 to ZZ-12.
 
 
J.Chaussard postcard of Billard autorail 211 or 212 on a PW train at Villars
A more modern CFD autorails is visible in the background.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Brissonneau-et-Lotz Autorails du Littoral
 
These Brissonneau-et-Lotz autorails ran on the coastal section of the Chemins de Fer de Provence which ran from Toulon to St Tropez and St Raphael, and which was not connected to the Alpine lines out of Nice. Ten twin-car sets were built in 1935, numbered ZM-1+ZR-1 to ZM-10+ZR-10. A further six sets were delivered in 1938, of which four became ZM-11+ZR-11 to ZM-14+ZR-14, and two replaced units in the earlier series destroyed by fire. I believe that one set was delivered by SNCF to Draguinan on the Alpine system in 1940, but was returned to St Raphael without being unloaded. There were plans in 1948 to move two to four sets to replace the steam locos on the remaining sections of the Nice-Meyrargues line (which had been badly damaged in the war). Instead, the whole line was abandonned and the coastal railcars were sold for use on the metre gauge lines of northern Spain. One set is preserved in the excellent narrow gauge museum at Gijon, as shown below. Another set ZM-8+ZR-4 returned from Spain to the Chemin de Fer du Vivarais.
 
 
Brisonneau-et-Lotz autorail at Gijon Narrow Gauge Museum
Photo: © Ian Boyle
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Brisonneau-et-Lotz autorail at Gijon Narrow Gauge Museum
Photo: © Ian Boyle
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Brisonneau-et-Lotz autorail at Gijon Narrow Gauge Museum
Photo: © Ian Boyle
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CFD Autorails
X-301 to X-304
 
The first series of CFD autorails were built in 1971/72. They were originally numbered SY-01 to SY-04 and carried the names, Côte d'Azur, Alpes de Haute Provence, Ville de Nice and Ville de Digne. Two further cars to a slightly modified design, numbered SY-5 and SY-06, were delivered in 1977. All can run in multiple with each other. They were renumbered X-301 to X-306 in 1984.
 
 
X-301
 
CFD autorail X-301 at Nice, in February 2003
Photo: © Ian Boyle
 
 
CFD autorail X-301 at Nice, 14th February 2007
Photo: © Ian Boyle
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Cab of CFD autorail X-301 at Nice, 14th February 2007
Photo: © Ian Boyle
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CFD autorail X-301 at Lingostière, 14th February 2007
Photo: © Ian Boyle
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CFD autorail X-301 at Lingostière, 14th February 2007
Photo: © Ian Boyle
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CFD autorail X-301 at Lingostière, 14th February 2007
Photo: © Ian Boyle
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CP autorail X301 at Nice-CP
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 14th February 2008
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CP autorail X301 at Nice-CP
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 14th February 2008
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Railcar X-301 arriving at Lingostière
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 17th February 2009
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Railcar X-301 arriving at Lingostière
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 17th February 2009
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Railcar X-301 arriving at Lingostière
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 17th February 2009
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X-302
 
CFD autorail X-302 at Thorame-Haute, in February 2003
Photo: © Ian Boyle
 
 
CFD autorail X-302 at Thorame-Haute, in February 2003
Photo: © Ian Boyle
 
 
Railcar X-302 arriving at Nice
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 17th February 2009
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Railcar X-302 at Nice
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 17th February 2009
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Railcar X-302 at Nice
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 17th February 2009
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Railcar X-302 at Nice
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 17th February 2009
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Railcar X-302 cab
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 17th February 2009
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Railcar X-302 at Lingostière
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 17th February 2009
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Railcar X-302 at Lingostière
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 17th February 2009
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Railcars X-302 and X-303 at Lingostière
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 17th February 2009
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Railcar X-302 at Lingostière
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 17th February 2009
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Railcar X-302 at Lingostière
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 17th February 2009
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Railcar X-302 and X-303 leaving Lingostière
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 17th February 2009
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X-303
 
CFD autorail X-303 arriving at Nice, in February 2003, passing Brissonneau-et-Lotz diesel T62
Photo: © Ian Boyle
 
 
CFD autorail X-303 arriving at Nice, in February 2003, passing Brissonneau-et-Lotz diesel T62
Photo: © Ian Boyle
 
 
CFD autorail X-303 arriving at Nice, in February 2003, alongside trailer XR1331
Photo: © Ian Boyle
 
 
CFD autorail X-303 at Nice, 22nd February 2005
Photo: © Ian Boyle
 
 
CFD autorail X-303 in rare snow at Nice, 22nd February 2005
Photo: © Ian Boyle
 
 
CFD autorail X-303 in rare snow at Nice, 22nd February 2005
Photo: © Ian Boyle
 
 
CFD autorail X-303 in rare snow at Nice, 22nd February 2005
Photo: © Ian Boyle
 
 
CFD autorail X-303 in rare snow at Nice, 22nd February 2005
Photo: © Ian Boyle
 
 
CFD autorail X-303 at Nice, 13th February 2007
Photo: © Ian Boyle
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CFD autorail X-303 and X-305 at Lingostière, 14th February 2007
Photo: © Ian Boyle
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Railcar X-303 at Lingostière
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 17th February 2009
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Railcar X-303 at Lingostière
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 17th February 2009
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Railcar X-303 at Lingostière
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 17th February 2009
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Railcar X-303 at Lingostière
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 17th February 2009
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Railcar X-303 and X-302 at Lingostière
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 17th February 2009
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X-304
 
CFD autorail X-304 at Nice in August 2000
Photo: © Ian Boyle
 
 
CFD autorail X-304 at Nice in August 2000
Photo: © Ian Boyle
 
 
CFD autorail X-304 at Nice in August 2000
Photo: © Ian Boyle
 
 
CFD autorail X-304 at Nice, 13th February 2007
Photo: © Ian Boyle
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CFD autorail X-304 at Nice, 14th February 2007
Photo: © Ian Boyle
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CFD autorail X-304 at Nice, 14th February 2007
Photo: © Ian Boyle
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CFD autorail X-304 at Nice, 14th February 2007
Photo: © Ian Boyle
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Cab of CFD autorail X-304 at Nice, 14th February 2007
Photo: © Ian Boyle
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CFD autorail X-304 at Entrevaux, 14th February 2007
Photo: © Ian Boyle
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CFD autorail X-304 at Entrevaux, 14th February 2007
Photo: © Ian Boyle
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CFD autorail X-304 at Gambetta, 15th February 2007
Photo: © Ian Boyle
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CFD autorail X-304 at Gambetta, 15th February 2007
Photo: © Ian Boyle
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CFD autorail X-304 at Nice, 15th February 2007
Photo: © Ian Boyle
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CFD autorail X-304 at Nice, 15th February 2007
Photo: © Ian Boyle
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CFD autorail X-303 at Nice, 13th February 2007
Photo: © Ian Boyle
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CFD Autorails
X-305 to X-306
 
Two further CFD cars to a slightly modified design, numbered SY-05 and SY-06, were delivered in 1977. They were renumbered X-305 and X-306 in 1984.
 
 
X-305
 
CFD autorail X-305 at Nice, 22nd February 2005
Photo: © Ian Boyle
 
 
CFD autorail X-305 at Nice, 22nd February 2005
Photo: © Ian Boyle
 
 
CFD autorail X-305 at Nice, 22nd February 2005
Photo: © Ian Boyle
 
 
CFD autorail X-305 at Nice, 22nd February 2005
Photo: © Ian Boyle
 
 
CFD autorail X-305 at Nice, 15th February 2006
Photo: © Ian Boyle
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CFD autorail X-305 at Nice, 13th February 2007
Photo: © Ian Boyle
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CFD autorail X-305 at Nice, 13th February 2007
Photo: © Ian Boyle
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CFD autorail X-305 at Nice, 13th February 2007
Photo: © Ian Boyle
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CFD autorail X-305 at Nice, 13th February 2007
Photo: © Ian Boyle
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CFD autorail X-305 at Nice, 13th February 2007
Photo: © Ian Boyle
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CFD autorail X-305 at Nice, 13th February 2007
Photo: © Ian Boyle
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CFD autorail X-305 at Entrevaux, 14th February 2007
Photo: © Ian Boyle
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CFD autorail X-305 at Entrevaux, 14th February 2007
Photo: © Ian Boyle
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CFD autorail X-305 at Nice, 14th February 2007
Photo: © Ian Boyle
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CFD autorail X-305 at Nice, 14th February 2007
Photo: © Ian Boyle
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CFD autorail X-305 and X-303 at Lingostière, 14th February 2007
Photo: © Ian Boyle
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CFD autorail X-305 and X-303 at Lingostière, 14th February 2007
Photo: © Ian Boyle
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X-306
 
CFD autorail X-306 at Nice in August 2000
Photo: © Ian Boyle
 
 
CFD autorail X-306 at Nice in August 2000
Photo: © Ian Boyle
 
 
CFD autorail X-306 at Nice, 14th February 2007
Photo: © Ian Boyle
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CFD autorail X-306 at Nice, 14th February 2007
Photo: © Ian Boyle
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CFD autorail X-306 at Nice, 14th February 2007
Photo: © Ian Boyle
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CFD autorail X-306 at Plan-du-Var, 14th February 2007
Photo: © Ian Boyle
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Railcar X-306 at Nice
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 17th February 2009
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Railcar X-306 at Nice
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 17th February 2009
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Soulé-Garnéro Twin-car Set
X-351+XR-1351
 
This two-car set by Soulé-Garnéro was delivered in 1984
The pictures below are at Nice, in February 2003, with power car X-351 leading.
Photo: © Ian Boyle
 
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Nice, in February 2003, with power car X-351 leading.
 
 
The pictures below are at Digne, in February 2003, with trailer XR-1351 leading
Photo: © Ian Boyle
 
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Digne, February 2003
 
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Digne, February 2003
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Photo: © Ian Boyle, Digne, February 2003
 
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Digne, February 2003
 
 
This picture shows the comfortable interior of X-351
I found that the trailer XR-1351 rode considerably better than the power car X-351.
Photo: © Ian Boyle
 
 
CFD autorail XR-351 at Lingostière on temporary bogies, 14th February 2007
Photo: © Ian Boyle
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CFD autorail XR-351 at Lingostière on temporary bogies, 14th February 2007
Photo: © Ian Boyle
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CFD autorail XR-351 at Lingostière on temporary bogies, 14th February 2007
Photo: © Ian Boyle
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CP autorail XR351 at Nice-CP
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 14th February 2008
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CP autorail XR351 at Nice-CP
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 14th February 2008
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