The festival "off" - Friday 15th April 2016

Following its success in 2013, a special first day event called the ‘Festival Off’’, primarily aimed at enthusiasts, has been organised for Friday 16th April 2016.  Several special trains will be running for the occasion with double heading and other surprises !

You can find more details about the festival ”off” in the ‘Guide du Spotter’ which is available for sale (3€). It includes a list of all the rolling stock in operation during the three days of the’ Fête de la Vapeur’, the timetables, the operating diagrams, the composition of the trains and the allocation of locomotives.  It is definitively THE document to have to fully appreciate the ‘Fête de la Vapeur’ !

Morning

• Special train - 231.K.8 hauling a rake of passenger carriages in public service – a rare opportunity to take some original photos in  a protected natural landscape !
• Operation of the ‘Sprague’ set between St Valery-Port and Noyelles
• Transfer of 230.D.9 from St Valery-Canal to Noyelles – hauled by 2-6-0 NSB No 376 ‘Norwgian’
• Operation of ETF Services BB75022 in ‘Fête de la Vapeur’ livery.
• Shunting at Noyelles station to place 230.D.9 in its display position and to change locomotives on the standard gauge passenger set.
• The ‘Sprague’ set and Paris bus TN4F present together at Noyelles and / or St Valery-Port

Afternoon

• Grand parade of metric gauge steam locomotives ascending the incline at St Valery.
• Unique operation of a train of 9 steam locomotives coupled together with photo stop and crews posed in front of their locomotives.
• Empty coaching stock movements to Cayeux and Le Crotoy.
• Mixed passenger/goods train operating between St Valery and Cayeux
• Simultaneous presence at Lanchères-Pendé and later at Cayeux of 3 rakes of rolling stock and 4 steam locomotives.
• Some trains double or even triple headed.
• Shunting of rolling stock for exhibition at St Valery – Ville by the diminuative 0-4-0 Corpet Louvet ‘FROT 25’.
• Operation of steam hauled small works train between St Valery and Noyelles.
• Railcar (AR.86 and/or X-212) running between St Valery, Noyelles and Le Crotoy
• At Cayeux trial running of Decauville No 5 on the temporary 60cm gauge line.
• At Le Crotoy trial running of the Crochat AT1 railcar on the temporary 60 cm gauge line.
• And ... a surprise after the parade of locomotives!  A special train never seen before and taking passengers – will run on the ‘Reseau Bains de Mer.  For more information, order your copy of the ‘Guide du Spotter’ straight away !