Ligne de Saint-Étienne - Lyon

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Ligne Saint Etienne-Lyon

Legend

Saint Étienne

Saint-Chamond

Grand-Croix

Rive-de-Gier

Givors-Ville

Rhône Valley right bank

River Janon

Givors-Canal

L'Arbesle / Rhône Valley left bank

Grigny-Le Sablon

Vernaison

Pierre-Bénite

Oullins

River Saône

Rhône Valley left bank

Lyon-Vaise

The Saint-Étienne to Lyon line is a railway linking Saint-Étienne to Lyon. The line was built from 1828 to 1833 by Camille Seguin and Marc Seguin at a cost of 14500000 FRF [1].

1 History
2 Stations
3 Outstanding structures
4 External links

[edit] History

[edit] Construction

Construction began in September 1826. Marc Seguin was chief engineer, chief of estates, maintenance and rolling stock at the same time. Despite all the natural obstacles encountered, Seguin drew up the plans for line, 56 km in length, in slow descent towards Lyon. The first part of the line, between Saint-Étienne and Rive-de-Gier was made at a constant descent of 1.2 to 1.4%. The following section, up to Givors, on the Rhône, was smoother, with a slope at 0.65%. The last section of the line, to Lyon, was built virtually flat.

[edit] Technical data

To avoid difficulties acquiring land, with no laws concerning compulsory purchase at the time, Seguin built several bridges and tunnels. Between 1827 and 1830 was dug the first tunnel de Couzon à Rive de Gier, long of 977 m. a second tunnel, only 400 m long, was dug in 1831 in Lyon. A third tunnel, 1.5 km in length, was dug under Terrenoire.

Instead of cast iron laid on stone sleepers as it was then done in mines, Seguin decided to use iron rails on wooden sleepers.

[edit] Route

The line was at first meant to traverse Givors and cross the Rhône to finish its course on the left bank; The inhabitants of Givors protested in so large numbers that it was decided to build the line on the right bank. The construction lasted five years between 1827 and 1832. The first portion to be opened was between Givors and Rive-de-Gier which opened on 28 June 1830.

A connection between ships and trains was enabled by the construction of a water station at Givors. It became the largest harbour on the Rhône and an active industrial city.

[edit] Traction

During the several first months of operation, horses were used as traction. At the descent the horses were placed on a truck for the 22 km down and placed in front of the train for the remainder of journey for traction. For the journey up, one horse was used to haul 5 or six empty wagons. The trains were pulled at 3 or 4 km/h and fell down the hill at a speed of 24 to 28 km/h.

For comfort, the Seguin company had placed drapes on the seats and put leather straps to open and close the windows. The first were cut out by passengers and made into clothes and the straps used as belts!

[edit] Opening sections

From early 1831, the locomotive SEGUIN hauled twenty-four to twenty-eight empty wagons between Givors and Rive-de-Gier or seven full wagons. On 3 April 1832, the section up to Lyon was used for freight transport with a few passengers being accepted, sat on straw in wagons. The last section, to Saint-Étienne, was opened on 1 October 1832 for passenger use only, freight being accepted a few months later. On 4 April 1833 the line is open in its entirety.

[edit] Rolling stock

In 1836, the company possessed 12 locomotives, 135 wagons and transported its passengers from end to end in six hours. Accidents were a regular occurrence as people were allowed to circulate along the railway line. From 1844, the used of horse traction was terminated and the entire journey was done in only 2 and a half hours.