Nouméa-Païta railway

The Nouméa-Païta railway was opened in December 1914 between Nouméa, New Caledonia and Païta, New Caledonia. The 3 ft (914 mm) narrow gauge tracks of the railway traveled the 29 kilometers (18 mi) between the two cities in one hour and fifteen minutes.

Former railway station of Paita

Former railway station of Paita

Locomotive Marguerite

The idea of a railway connecting Nouméa to Bourail was first approved in 1884 with Nouméa linked to Dumbéa in 1904.^[1]

The Nouméa-Païta railway was closed on 1 January 1940 due to its low ridership and is now abandoned and demolished.

In April 1942 the American 790th Railway Transportation Company reopened the line to operate railways for the Allied presence on New Caledonia.^[2][3][4]

The remains of the former railway station of Paita can still be seen in the north of the town. The loading platform and the ramp are well-preserved and the foundations of various buildings are still visible. A small locomotive the nickname of which was Marguerite is preserved on the former railway ground. The locomotive was used until 1940.^[5] The gauge, however, was dismantled and the former railway track is no longer visible.

Notes