France. 1970/11/13, 01. SNCF 2-8-2Ts of Class 141TC still worked a few of the "push-pull" commuter services out of Paris Gare du Nord to Valmondois at this stage - here 141 TC 10 is about to depart from the terminus with a train for Valmondois early on the morning of Friday 13th November 1970.

France. 1970/11/13, 02. Soon after sunrise SNCF 141 TC Class 2-8-2T No. 141 TC 3 has just arrived at the Gare du Nord in Paris with a commuter train from Valmondois. These were worked as "Push-Pull" with the engines on the country end and this route was the last regular steam passenger working in the Paris area. These engines were fitted with the unusual Cossart rotary cam valve gear. Alongside is an electric engine No. BB-16773 waiting to depart with another commuter train for the suburbs. Friday 13th November 1970.

France. 1970/11/13, 03. SNCF 2-8-2T No. 141 TC 3 had arrived a few minutes earlier on the rear of a "push-pull" commuter train from Valmondois into the Gare du Nord in Paris. With the empty stock in tow the engine now draws forward along the platform to take water from the column at the platform end. This route was the last steam hauled passenger service in the Paris area. Friday 13th November 1970.

France. 1970/11/13, 04. SNCF 2-8-2T No. 141 TC 3 had arrived a few minutes earlier on the rear of a "push-pull" commuter train from Valmondois into the Gare du Nord in Paris. With the empty stock in tow the engine has drawn forward along the platform to take water from the column at the platform end. This route was the last steam hauled passenger service in the Paris area. Friday 13th November 1970.

France. 1970/11/13, 05. Distracted by talking to the man from "Controle", the fireman rather overfills the tanks of 2-8-2T No. 141TC3 at the Gare du Nord in Paris. It had just arrived with a commuter "push-pull" train from Valmondois and was about to depart with the ECS for the sidings. Early morning on Friday 13th November 1970.

France. 1970/11/13, 06. SNCF 2-8-2T No. 141 TC 10 glints in the evening sun as it waits for its next turn of duty on a "Push-Pull" suburban passenger train from the Gare du Nord in Paris to Valmondois. This was the last regular steam duty in the French capital. Friday 13th November 1970. These engines were fitted with Cossart valve gear.

France. 1970/11/13, 07. SNCF 2-8-2T No. 141 TC 10 has been sitting for most of the day just at the end of the platform at the Gare du Nord in Paris, and though in steam, its wheels have already started to rust! It was now getting ready to work a commuter train to Valmondois in the evening rush hour. In the foreground is an unidentified diesel shunter. Friday 13th November 1970.

France. 1970/11/14. 4 cylinder compound 4-6-2 No. 231G558 was kept at Dieppe Ville station for some time after being taken out of use, here it is in one of the terminal platforms on Saturday 14th November 1970. Fortunately, it was later restored to working order and is now a regular performer on the main lines.

France. 1976/03/21. Long before Eurostar became a reality, boat trains met the ferries at Calais Maritime station and travelled to Paris via the "classic" route through Abbeville. At Calais Maritime station the crew of the boat train chat before departure behind double-headed diesels of Class 67400, the leading engine being 67594, the train engine 67589. Sunday 21st March 1976.

France. 1980/09/xx. A freight train, double-headed by BB.4600 class electrics with BB.4651 leading, has just crossed the bridge over the river Dordogne near Souillac and heads south past the small station at Chapelle de Mareuil on the main line from Paris to Toulouse. September 1980. If anyone can enlighten me with regard to these locos I'd be very grateful! I've had several messages to say that these locos are "BB Midi" from the second series, geared for 90kph running, they were built between 1929 and 1931 and were mostly withdrawn by the early 1980s. The previous series of BB. 4100s were geared for 75kph running. Thanks to all who replied for the information!

France. 1998/06/24. Duplex (double-decker) TGV 29026 Unit No. 213, about to depart from the Gare de Lyon in Paris with the 10:00 train to Lyon and points south. Wednesday 24th June 1998.

France. 1998/07/05. On the metre-gauge Chemin de Fer de la Baie de Somme from Le Crotoy to St. Valery-sur-Somme via Noyelles in northern France, 2-6-0T No. 1 (Corpet Louvet 1906 for the Transport de l'Aisne) is working a train from Le Crotoy near Morlay on the afternoon of Sunday 5th July 1998.

Spain. 1968/04/15, 1. From the Geoff Plumb collection of original slides. A RENFE 0-6-0 No. 030 25xx (?) is at the head of a cross border train from Barca d'Alva in Portugal to La Fregeneda in Spain and then on to Fuente de San Esteban where it joined the line from Vilar Formoso/Fuentes de Oñoro to Salamanca. The line from Pocinho to Barca d'Alva and on to Fregeneda has long since closed, though much track is still in situ. Here the train is high on the valley side above the Rio Águeda, amidst sparsely populated countryside. Monday 15th April 1968. Photographer unknown.

Spain. 1968/04/15, 2. From the Geoff Plumb collection of original slides. A RENFE 0-6-0 No. 030 25xx (?) is at the head of a cross border train from Barca d'Alva in Portugal to La Fregeneda in Spain and then on to Fuente de San Esteban where it joined the line from Vilar Formoso/Fuentes de Oñoro to Salamanca. The line from Pocinho to Barca d'Alva and on to Fregeneda has long since closed, though much track is still in situ. Here the train is high on the valley side above the Rio Águeda, about to enter one of the many tunnels on the line. These were all numbered, but which one is this? Monday 15th April 1968. Photographer unknown.

Spain. 1968/04/15, 3. From the Geoff Plumb collection of original slides. View from the train looking back towards Barca d'Alva having just emerged from one of the many tunnels, high above the valley of the Rio Águeda, en route to La Fregeneda on the cross-border line in Spain. The line from Pocinho to Barca d'Alva in Portugal and on to La Fregeneda in Spain closed many years ago, though the track is still in situ, at least on this section. Monday 15th April 1968. Photographer unknown.

Spain. 1968/04/15, 4. From the Geoff Plumb collection of original slides. View from the train looking back towards Barca d'Alva having just crossed the Ponte de Pollo Valente, high above the valley of the Rio Águeda, en route to La Fregeneda on the cross-border line in Spain. The line from Pocinho to Barca d'Alva in Portugal and on to La Fregeneda in Spain closed many years ago, though the track is still in situ, at least on this section. Monday 15th April 1968. Photographer unknown.

Spain. 1968/04/15, 5. From the Geoff Plumb collection of original slides. Seen from the train departing for Fuente de San Esteban, RENFE 0-6-0 No. 030 25xx (?) sits by the turntable at La Fregeneda station, having brought a train from Barca d'Alva across the border from Portugal. This cross-border line is now closed, though the track remains in situ, quietly rusting away... Monday 15th April 1968. Photographer unknown.

Spain. 1968/04/16, 1. From the Geoff Plumb collection of original slides. RENFE 4-8-2's meet at Haro on the line from Miranda de Ebro to Zaragoza on Tuesday 16th April 1968. One of the engines from the series 241F4657 - 4684 is arriving with a short mixed train from Miranda, while another unidentified 241F of series 241F2201 - 2222 (known as "las atómicas") is waiting in the station. Thanks to José Luis Torres Blázquez for information on this photo! Photographer unknown.

Spain. 1968/04/16, 2. From the Geoff Plumb collection of original slides. An unidentified RENFE 242F class 4-8-4 in its green livery comes through the yards at Miranda de Ebro with a freight train. Tuesday 16th April 1968. Photographer unknown.

Spain. 1969/11/01, 01. Seen from a passing train, the loco depot at Alsasua is host to various engines. On the left are two 4-8-2's, members of the 241F4657 - 4684 series, which are now out of use, though something is in steam behind them. In steam on the turntable is one of the massive 242F 4-8-4's, in the process of being turned by its crew. These engines were known as "El Verde" due to their green livery. Saturday 1st November 1969.

Spain. 1969/11/01, 02. An unidentified RENFE 4-8-2 of series 241F2201 - 2222 (known as "las atómicas") is now out of use and dumped at Miranda de Ebro loco depot on Saturday 1st November 1969.

Spain. 1969/11/01, 03. RENFE 2-8-2 No. 141F.2210 is being prepared and is about to go off shed at Miranda de Ebro depot for its next working. A couple of classmates can be seen in the background stabled around the turntable. Saturday 1st November 1969.

Spain. 1969/11/01, 04. Dumped in the depot at Miranda de Ebro was this outside cylinder 0-6-0T No. 030-0219 on Saturday 1st November 1969. This was one of five engines built by St. Leonard of Liege in Belgium, No. 792 of 1889, for the Torralba to Soria line, where they were numbered 30 to 34. This engine was named " E. OTLET" originally and was taken into RENFE stock in 1941. It is now preserved and is plinthed at the Parque de Antonio Cabezón in Miranda de Ebro.

Spain. 1969/11/01, 05. Ex-Madrid, Zaragoza & Alicante Railway semi-streamlined 4-8-2, RENFE No. 241F2102, has just been taken out of use at Miranda de Ebro depot, though it still looks in fairly good shape, and what a beast! Saturday 1st November 1969.

Spain. 1969/11/01, 06. Another view of ex-Madrid, Zaragoza & Alicante Railway semi-streamlined 4-8-2, RENFE No. 241F2102, which has just been taken out of use at Miranda de Ebro depot, though it still looks in fairly good shape. Another classmate is in the right foreground. Saturday 1st November 1969.

Spain. 1969/11/01, 07. Only recently taken out of service, two of the ex-MZA semi-streamlined 4-8-2's are now stored at Miranda de Ebro depot. Nearest camera is 241F.2108, face to face with an unidentified classmate. If only I had been able to visit earlier and see these in action.... Saturday 1st November 1969.

Spain. 1969/11/01, 08. RENFE 2-8-2 No. 141F.2292 rumbles through the station at Miranda de Ebro with a mixed goods train for Zaragoza on the afternoon of Saturday 1st November 1969.

Spain. 1969/11/01, 09. RENFE 2-8-2 No. 141F2292 starts away from the station and yards at Miranda de Ebro with a mixed freight train for Zaragoza, while a diesel shunter is busy in the background. Saturday 1st November 1969.

Spain. 1969/11/01, 10. Having connected with an electric-hauled main line express at Miranda de Ebro station, RENFE 2-8-2 No. 141F.2251 is now in full cry with a Rapido (semi-fast passenger train) from Miranda to Zaragoza. It is crossing the bridge over the Rio Ebro as it makes its way out of the town. There wasn't much clearance on the bridge! Saturday 1st November 1969.

Spain. 1970/10/31, 1. Double-headed RENFE class 141F 2-8-2s wait in the yards at Alsasua station with a freight train eventually bound for the Pamplona line on the afternoon of Saturday 31st October 1970.

Spain. 1970/10/31, 2. Double-headed RENFE class 141F 2-8-2s wait in the yards at Alsasua station with a freight train eventually bound for the Pamplona line on the afternoon of Saturday 31st October 1970. Alongside is a rather ancient EMU with a northbound local stopping train bound for Irun, while a diesel shunter is just visible at the far end of the yard.

Spain. 1970/10/31, 3. Approaching Alsasua station from the Pamplona line a freight train is double-headed by class 141F 2-8-2s, still working quite hard. The pilot loco is 141F2381, the train engine unidentified. The road is set for them to enter the yard on the southbound side of the main line. Saturday 31st October 1970.

Spain. 1970/10/31, 4. RENFE 2-8-2 No. 141F2381 is double-heading with another member of the same class as they arrive at the head of a freight train from Pamplona into Alsasua in the foothills of the Pyrenees. Saturday 31st October 1970.

Spain. 1970/10/31, 5. Approaching Alsasua station from the Pamplona line a freight train is double-headed by class 141F 2-8-2s, the pilot loco is 141F2381, the train engine unidentified. The road is set for them to enter the yard on the southbound side of the main line. Saturday 31st October 1970.

Spain. 1970/10/31, 6. RENFE 141F class 2-8-2 No. 141F2381 is one of the class that was fitted with a double-chimney. The engine has been turned on the turntable at Alsasua loco depot and is now returning light engine towards Pamplona. Saturday 31st October 1970.

Spain. 1970/10/31, 7. Two local kids play with their toys at Alsasua station in the foothills of the Pyrenees, oblivious to the RENFE 141F 2-8-2 simmering in the background at the head of a freight train waiting to take the line to Pamplona. Saturday 31st October 1970.

Spain. 1970/11/01. The sun has not long risen over Fuentes de Oñoro on the Spanish side of the border with Portugal at Vilar Formoso as I arrive aboard the overnight train from Irun to Porto. The line from Salamanca to here was still partially steam operated and RENFE 4-8-0 No. 240F2207 is about to go off shed. The Spanish engine came off our train here and was replaced by a CP diesel for the run to Pampilhosa and on to Porto. Sunday 1st November 1970.