The Train des Mouettes, restoration of turntables dating from 1886

Let’s travel back in time with the Train des Mouettes, a historic railway line connecting the towns of Saujon and La Tremblade. Opened in 1876, this 21 km railway line is still in operation today, transporting tourists who come to discover the Charente-Maritime region aboard vintage steam locomotives.

For many years, ETF teams have been involved in the upkeep and maintenance of this historic line.

Accustomed to carrying out levelling work, track and ballast renewal, track equipment installation and level crossing maintenance, this year ETF is undertaking a completely different project: the rehabilitation of old turntables.

Usually located in a depot, terminus or storage centre, a turntable is a system that allows railway vehicles that can only travel in one direction to turn around.

In order to facilitate the movement of locomotives, the Charente-Maritime departmental council and the Train des Mouettes association have decided to reinstall the original turntables at the two terminus stations: Saujon and La Tremblade.

Built in 1886, the turntables were first refurbished at a technical centre in Bordeaux. In order to be transported on the rail network, they had to be dismantled. With a diameter of 6.94 metres, they had to be divided into eight pieces each to ensure safe transport. Once they arrived at their respective terminals, the turntables were reassembled and connected to the existing track.

Begun at the end of 2019, this project was completed on Friday 3 July, just in time for the start of the summer season. This project illustrates the adaptability of the ETF teams, who work on both ultra-modern high-speed lines and regional lines dating back more than a century.

Details of the project in photos: