Tramway du Cap-Ferret

{{Short description|Narrow gauge railway in France}} {{Infobox rail line |name = Tramway du Cap-Ferret |color = |logo = |logo_width = |image = Tramway Cap-Ferret.JPG |image_width = 280px |caption = Train at Belisarius |type = Light railway |system = |status = Operational |locale = Cap Ferret, Gironde, France |start = ''Plage de l'horizon'' |end = ''Jetée de Bélisaire'' |stations = |routes = |daily_ridership = |open = |close = |owner = |operator = |character = |depot = |stock = |linelength = {{convert|2|km|mi|abbr=on}} |tracklength = |tracks = Single track |gauge = {{RailGauge|600mm}} |maxincline = |racksystem = |electrification = |speed = |elevation = |map = {{Tramway du Cap-Ferret}} |map_name = |map_state = collapsed }} The '''Tramway du Cap-Ferret''' ({{IPA|fr|tʁamwɛ dy kap fɛʁɛ}}), also known as the '''Petit train du Cap-Ferret''' ({{IPA|fr|pəti tʁɛ̃ dy-|}}), is a {{RailGauge|600mm|lk=on}} narrow gauge railway on the Atlantic coast of France in the ''department'' of Gironde. The tramway is situated on the Cap Ferret, a peninsular that which divides the Atlantic Ocean from Arcachon Bay, and links the shores of the bay with the beaches on the Atlantic coast.<ref name=apavept>{{cite web | url = http://www.ville-lege-capferret.fr/decouverte/pageLibre00013097.html | title = A pied, à vélo, en petit train ... | language = French | publisher = Mairie Lege Cap Ferret | accessdate = 2010-10-01 | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20090224154650/http://www.ville-lege-capferret.fr/decouverte/pageLibre00013097.html | archivedate = 2009-02-24 | url-status = dead}}</ref><ref name=tlcf>{{cite web | url = http://www.cestenfrance.net/art/Petit_train_de_L%C3%A8ge-Cap-Ferret | title = Train Lège-Cap-Ferret | language = French | work = www.cestenfrance.net | accessdate = 2014-02-18}}</ref>

The line first operated in 1879 and was originally pulled by a horse. Locomotives took over in 1925, but the service ceased in 1935. In 1952, the service was restarted in its current form. In 1989, the train was acquired by the commune of Lège-Cap-Ferret.<ref name=tlcf/>

thumb|right|The beach terminus The line is some {{convert|2|km}} long and connects the beach at ''Plage de l'horizon'' on the Atlantic coast with the jetty at ''Jetée de Bélisaire'' on Arcachon Bay. It operates every afternoon from April to September, with services running every 30 minutes or less, and with some morning services in the peak summer season. Ferries connect the ''Jetée de Bélisaire'' with the resort town of Arcachon on the other side of Arcachon Bay.<ref name=apavept/><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.bateliers-arcachon.com/TRANSBASSIN-17-Navette-Arcachon-Cap-Ferret.php | title = Navettes - Arcachon - Cap Ferret | language = French | publisher = Union des Bateliers Arcachonnais | accessdate = 2010-10-01}}</ref>

Trains are operated by open-sided coaches hauled by diesel locomotives, and the line is largely situated along the road side.<ref name=apavept/><ref name=tlcf/> At the beach terminus, remains of the Atlantic Wall can be seen.

== References == {{reflist}}

== Bibliography == * Jean Desrentes, Le petit train des dunes, Société Historique et Archéologique d’Arcachon et du Pays de Buch, n° 93, 3ème trimestre 1997, p. 58 à 70 (in French) * Luc Dupuyoo, ''Jadis et naguère... les petits trains du Cap-Ferret'', Confluence, Bordeaux, 2007, {{ISBN|978-2-914240-99-4}} (in French)

== External links == * {{commonscat-inline|Tramway du Cap-Ferret}} * [http://www.simplonpc.co.uk/CapFerret.html Cap Ferret: Tramway - Steamers - Vedettes - Lighthouse] * [http://www.ville-lege-capferret.fr/decouverte/pageLibre00013097.html Page on the tramway from the web site of the Mairie Lege Cap Ferret] (in French)

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Category:600 mm gauge railways in France Category:Gironde Cap Ferret, Tramway du Cap Ferret, Tramway du Category:Transport in Nouvelle-Aquitaine {{Heritage railways in France}}