System SNCF Locale France (Aquitaine) Operator(s) SNCF Owner Réseau Ferré de France | Status Operational Opened 1891 - 1898 Line length 52 km (32 mi) | |
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Terminis Gare de Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, Gare de Bayonne | ||
The Bayonne - Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port railway is a French 52-kilometre long railway line, that connects the Bayonne to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, running through the foothills of the Pyrenees. The railway was opened fully in 1898.
Contents
Route
The Bayonne - Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port railway leaves the Gare de Bayonne in a southerly direction. It crosses the river Adour south of Bayonne town centre, and then splits with the Toulouse-Bayonne railway and Bordeaux-Irun railway. It continues through valleys within the Pyrenees until it reaches Gare de Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, its south-western terminus.
History
The line opened in 3 sections between 1891 and 1898 as follows:
Between 1930 and 1931 the line was electrified to 1.5 kV DC, however in May 2010 the line was de-electrified to reduce the costs of renewing the electrical equipment.
As of 2014 no trains run south from Cambo-les-Bains and a rail replacement bus service is used from this station onwards to SJPP. The rails are rusty and there are weeds growing up between the crossties. The line hugs a river valley and in places is only 20 feet above the Nive river. At one point, where the line crosses the river on a truss bridge, the ballast has been washed away over a distance of about 30 feet and the rail and crossties are suspended in mid-air. There is a collection of driftwood at this point; evidence of flood damage (probably at this location: 43.256303, -1.320315).
Line has been reopened on November, 22nd, 2015.
Services
The Bayonne - Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port railway is used by the following passenger services: