LE TRAIN DES PIGNES
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Of all the small lines of the secondary rail network, little has survived. The Compagnie des Chemins de Fer de Provence operates a narrow line, Nice-Digne, which plunges into the hinterland, rises to 1 022 m altitude and crosses sites of all beauty, inaccessible by road, on a spectacular route of 151 km which contains no less than 25 tunnels, 16 bridges and viaducts of stone and 15 metal bridges. It is a real mountain line offering magnificent views.
Why this nickname of Train des Pignes? Opinions are divided on its. For some, it would come from pine pignes that city dwellers report on their Sunday walks. For others, the speed of the train on the coast is so low that travellers can go down and pick up pignes along the road. For others, the coal soot was deposited on the locomotives and made them resemble the bottom of the Italian pots, the Pignates… today, the regular service is provided by blue, modern and comfortable diesel railcars but, some days, the Puget-Théniers-Annot segment is insured by a steam locomotive built in 1909 and maintained by a volunteer association. It derives from painted wood benches of 1892. The vapeur of its six tons of water requires the lighting of the boiler 5 h before departure! This steam train only works on certain dates (check before). Regular service per railcar consists of four trains per day in each direction. This transport is ideal for a walk in the hinterland, but may prefer a departure from Nice-Lingostière station where it will be easier for you to park.
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