corsica1

The island of Corsica is the fourth largest in the Mediterranean, after Sicily, Sardinia and Cyprus. It occupies 3,350 sq miles (8,180 sq km) and has 1,000 kilometres of coast line. The north/south ridge of mountains in the centre of the island includes 21 summits of over 2,000 metres. After a stormy history of invasions, battles and uprisings, Corsica was incorporated into the Republic of France in 1789. Napoleon Bonaparte was born on the island. The current population is approximately 280,000.

Corsica acquired a railway network at the end of the 19th century after lengthy discussions, plans and a prolonged construction period complicated by difficult terrain. The network track is metre gauge. The cost of construction was financed by the French State.

The main line between Ajaccio and Bastia across the island via Cortes is 158 km long and was opened between 1888 and 1894. The central section through the mountains culminates at the summit tunnel at Vizzavona, 906 metres altitude. A branch line, 74 km long, was constructed to reach Calvi, on the north west coast, from Ponte Leccia which is 47 km south of Bastia. It was opened in 1890. It reaches a summit of 451 metres.

A line south from Bastia along the east coast was also planned. The intention was to link Bastia with Porto-Vecchio and the strategic port of Bonifacio which faces Sardinia. A first section, 65 km long, was built from Casamozza to Ghisonaccia, a small village. This section was opened in 1888. Unfortunately, the completion of the line was delayed, first by financing problems and then by the First World War. An extension from Ghisonaccia to Porto Vecchio was only opened in 1935. But, four years later, the Second World War started. During the liberation of the island in 1943, the rail network was severely damaged and the east coast line never reached Bonifacio.

Another part of the original plan for the Corsican rail network was never completed; this was a line intended to link Ajaccio with Propriano, on the west coast.

So, the total maximum length of the network reached 360 km. After the Second World War, the east coast line was never re-opened and the current network length is 232 km.

The lines are single track with passing places.

Bastia, April 2007. A modern train of Corsica Railways waits at the terminus. It is composed of a diesel railcar and driving trailor constructed by Etablissements Soulé, at Bagnères-de-Bigorre in the Pyrenees. Seven units of this type were delivered between 1989 and 1997. They have a seating capacity of 102, and are equiped with two motors of 240 hp (280 hp on the last two units) and hydraulic transmission. The units can be coupled together, and twin units are common in the busy summer season.

The number of passengers carried on the rail network of Corsica has climbed from 400,000 per annum in 1975 to over 900,000 in the year 2000. Currently, about one million passengers a year are carried and in the summer, capacity is insufficient to satisfy the demand from tourists, so, 12 new panoramic diesel railcars have been ordered for delivery starting in 2007. For the first time on the island, the new railcars will be air conditioned.

After nearly 100 years during which the rail network of Corsica was managed and operated by a number of different independant companies, including CFD and CFTA, the state operator, SNCF, was designated the entity to manage of the network from 1982 onwards.

After the Second World War, the island railway network suffered for many years from a lack of investment in maintenance, modernisation and renewal of rolling stock. The network was unprofitable and central government in Paris made a number of attempts to close the railway down. These attempts were rejected vigorously by the local population.

Finally, the railway survived, and the growth of tourism indicated a justifiable need to invest in the network.

In 2001, the ownership of the rail network in Corsica was transferred to CTC (Collectivité territoriale de la Corse). A five year investment programme was established for a value of 148 million euros financed to a large extent by the French state.

The four objectives were:

- to improve passenger comfort

- to reduce journey times

- to double the number of train services by 2010

- to improve security.

12 brand new panoramic diesel railcars have been ordered. They are designated "AMG 800" and the first one was delivered in June 2007 for testing. Seating capacity will be 100 and they will be air conditioned. The second prototype was delivered recently. The remaining units are scheduled to be delivered during 2008 - 2009. Introduction into commercial service is forecast for the 2009 summer season.

A total of 113 km of track has been completely renewed between Bastia and Ajaccio, between 2004 and 2007(March). Essential work in four tunnels and protection against rock fall remains to be completed during 2007 - 2008.

A new signalling system is to be installed and new maintenance depots are to be built.

The benefit will be a reduction in journey time between Bastia and Ajaccio to 2 1/2 hours from a current schedule of 3 hrs 30 mins mins, and a best time ( some years ago) of 3 hours.

So the average speed will rise from 45 kph (with 32 stops) to 63 kph.

2007 - 2008 Winter Timetable

The programme of track renewal and work in four tunnels and on the new signalling system means that current rail services are subject to cancelation along parts of the line at different times. Rail services are replaced by autocars along those sections.

Between mid - november 2007 and April 13th 2008, no trains run between Ajaccio and Corte and between Ponte Leccio and Calvi. The trains are replaced by autocars.

During this period there are four trains a day each way between Corte and Bastia

Timetables for the summer season 2008 have not been published yet