Chemin de fer de LA MURE

The CF de la Mure is metre gauge, electrified at 2400 volts DC. Built in 1888 as a coal line, it switched to tourism for its main traffic when the mines closed in 1998. The line runs from St. Georges de Commiers, 20km south of Grenoble in southern France, to La Mure, in the foothills of the French Alps.

The line traverses the spectacular gorge of the river Drac on ledges, viaducts, bridges and tunnels high above the water. These are seen in footage from across the gorge and on the train. Numerous sharp curves and tunnels punctuate the route. At Loulla, the line traverses two adjacent viaducts, one above the other and parallel to it. Abandoned coal mines can be seen at la Motte d’Aveillans (where there is a mining museum) and around Le Villaret. The original (and present) terminus at La Mure is situated in pleasant Alpine scenery. An unprofitable 31km extension to Corps, opened in 1932, was  closed in 1949; a further 48km extension to Gap was never completed.