BesanconLeLocle

The single track line from Besançon, regional capital of FRANCHE COMTE, to Morteau (Doubs) on the river Doubs and on to Le Locle in Switzerland was opened in 1884. It is 80 km ( 50 miles) long with many sustained gradients of 1 in 30 and 1 in 25. Starting at an altitude of 281m( 913ft) the line climbs across successive plateaux of the Jura reaching a summit of 920m ( 3,000ft) before descending into the valley of the Doubs (780m, 2,535ft). After Morteau, the line climbs again through forests to the summit pass at the Col-des-Roches (920m), the frontier with Switzerland. The train service from Besançon stops at La Chaux de Fonds, where passengers can transfer to the Swiss railways service to Neuchâtel as well as to several private metre gauge lines.

Left: a mid-day service from Valdahon passes through the suburbs of Besançon in June 2002. The train is headed by an

X 2800 autorail. These railcars were withdrawn from service in December 2007. New class X 73500 diesel railcars and, in 2007, new AGC railcars of Franche-Comté have been introduced.

There are two stations at Besançon. The main line station is Besancon-Viotte, to the north of the town centre, terminus of the TGV service from Paris and Dijon. A small halt at Besançon-Mouillere serves a suburb. This halt has been rebuilt recently. Then a steep 1 in 30 climb begins, underneath the Citadel, to take the line out of the river valley.

The next station is Saone, with a passing loop and the original station building, but the following station at Mamirolle has no interest for the rail enthusiast. The station has been sold and converted to a private home. The train pauses at an unstaffed halt. This is also the case at Etalans, Avoudrey, and Longemaison.

However, at L'Hôpital-du-GrosBois ( below) the original station (SNCF) has been preserved and merits its own page here.

Above: April 26th 2004 The 17.26 from Besançon approaches L'Hôpital du Gros-Bois

operated by X 2802 + XR. This railcar has since been withdrawn from service. The station was once a junction with a branch line to Ornans which was closed in the 1980's.

11km (7 miles) further south, we reach the village of Le Valdahon ( 3,500 inhabitants) about half way to Morteau. There is a large army establishment here which adds to the traffic on the line.

Le Valdahon station at the beginning of the 20th century. The steam train has arrived from Besançon and is on the track used by trains heading towards Besançon. Most probably it is going to shunt wagons.

Le Valdahon in April 2004.

All of the original station buildings remain intact and little seems to have changed except for the modern diesel railcars.

From Le Valdahon, we resume a climb at 1 in 25 for 11 km to the first summit pass at Col du Tounet, then, a short descent through the Republic of Saugeais, a south facing shelf above the gorge of the Doubs. The next station is Gilley, formerly a junction with a line to Pontarlier. On that branch line the rail scenes of the film, Murder on the Orient Express, were shot, but the notoriety did not save the line from closure in 1988.

Here we see TER 896412 from La Chaux de Fonds to Besançon descending through the forest towards Le Valdahon at about 09.15 on April 26th, 2004.

The line descends precipitously from Gilley, twisting and turning to lose height rapidly and drop down the side of the valley to the level of the river Doubs. 12 km are covered, and we approach the country town of Morteau, famous for its sausage, and local cheeses.

June 2002. After leaving Morteau, the ATER railcar operating the afternoon service from Besançon ( 13:50) crosses the river Doubs, a few minutes before reaching the Swiss border.

April 26th, 2004 Le Valdahon, Doubs

It is 07.25 on a Monday morning and TER 895308 from Morteau to Besançon has just arrived, operated by X 2802 (leading) + XR trailor + X 2830 (visible at the rear). On the right, a pair of new X 73500 units will operate the following TER 895216 from Valdahon at 08.00.

The early morning sun shines directly down the track towards Besançon, 32 km away.

Sunday April 25th 2004.

This is an international service, from Besançon to Le Locle and it ran on Sunday evenings. The service was scheduled for

X 2800 according to the 2004 winter diagram

But now the through services to Le Locle and La Chaux de Fonds are operated by

X 73500.

Here we see TER 896419 (Sundays and Public Holidays only) approaching Le Valdahon operated by X 2830 (leading) + XR + X 2802 visible at the rear.