Ligne de la Mure

Ligne de la Mure. This historic metre-gauge railway, often called the Chemin de fer de la Mure, was a pioneering mountain line constructed primarily to transport anthracite from the Plateau Matheysin coalfields. Inaugurated in 1888, it featured innovative engineering including a rack railway section and later became famous for its spectacular route along the edge of the Drac gorge, offering breathtaking views of the French Alps. Its operational life spanned a century before closing to regular freight service, transitioning into a celebrated tourist railway that highlighted the industrial heritage of the Dauphiné region.

History

The railway's conception was driven by the need to efficiently move high-quality anthracite from the mines near La Mure to the mainline network at Saint-Georges-de-Commiers, connecting to cities like Grenoble and Vizille. Financed by the Compagnie des chemins de fer de la Dauphiné, construction began in the mid-1880s under the direction of engineer Henri Duclos, overcoming significant challenges posed by the rugged terrain of the Drac valley. It opened for freight in 1888 and began carrying passengers shortly after, becoming a vital economic artery for the Matheysine region. The line's ownership later transferred to the Société des chemins de fer du Sud de la France. A major electrification project was completed in 1903 using a direct current system, making it one of the earliest electrically operated mountain railways in France. Regular commercial service, including coal transport for Électricité de France, continued until 1988.

Route and technical characteristics

The 30-kilometre route climbed from Saint-Georges-de-Commiers (elevation 375m) to La Mure (elevation 840m), traversing the dramatic limestone cliffs of the Drac gorge. Its most famous engineering feature was the Grand Pont (also known as the Pont du Drac), a massive masonry viaduct. The line initially utilized the Riggenbach rack system on its steepest gradients, though this was later removed after electrification increased locomotive adhesion. The infrastructure included 18 stations and halts, such as La Motte-d'Aveillans and Saint-Pierre-de-Mésage, along with numerous tunnels and galleries cut directly into the cliff face. The entire alignment was a single-track metre gauge line, renowned for its vertiginous vistas of the Drac reservoir and the peaks of the Massif du Taillefer.

Rolling stock

The railway operated a distinctive fleet of electric locomotives, most notably the SLM-built "Mallets" and the later "Beuil" class locomotives from Alstom. These powerful units were designed to handle heavy coal trains on the continuous steep grades. For passenger service, the line used classic wooden-bodied coaches, often painted in the characteristic dark red livery of the Chemins de fer de la Sud-France. After its closure to regular traffic, heritage operations utilized restored locomotives like the "Petit train de la Mure" and vintage Autorail units to pull tourist carriages along the scenic portion of the line.

Operation and services

For most of its existence, the line's primary function was hauling anthracite from the Houillères du Bassin du Dauphiné mines to the PLM mainline connection. It also provided essential passenger service for the communities of the Plateau Matheysin, with multiple daily mixed trains. Following the decline of the coal industry, the line was operated by the Société Nationale des Chemins de fer Français for a period before final closure. From 1997 to 2010, a section was revived as a major tourist attraction, the "Train de la Mure", operated by the Conseil Général de l'Isère, which carried thousands of visitors annually along the most panoramic stretches until a rockfall permanently closed the route.

Cultural impact and preservation

The railway achieved international fame for its stunning scenery, featuring in numerous documentaries, photographic books, and travelogues, often dubbed the "Little Tibetan Railway" of France. Its closure to tourism was a significant cultural loss, sparking local preservation efforts led by associations like AMCLM (Friends of the Chemin de fer de la Mure). The line's legacy is preserved in museums such as the Musée de la Mine in La Motte-d'Aveillans and the Musée du Vieux Saint-Georges. Its iconic Grand Pont viaduct remains a protected industrial monument, and the right-of-way is now part of a popular hiking trail within the Parc naturel régional du Vercors, ensuring the memory of this alpine engineering marvel endures.

Category:Railway lines in France Category:Isère Category:Heritage railways in France