The PO Corrèze (POC) is a former metre-gauge railway in the Corrèze department in central France. The concession was granted to the Chemin de Fer de Paris à Orléans (PO) and constructed by the Société de Construction des Batignolles. Together with the Chemin de fer du Blanc-Argent and the Blois à Saint Aignan, they formed the metre-gauge network of the PO.
The centre of the railway was at Tulle, where there was a connection with the SNCF, and consisted of three lines: From Tulle, north to Uzerche and a connection with the standard gauge PO (later SNCF) lines, From Tulle, south to Argentat, From Seillac, a branch headed east to Treignac.
There was also a connection with the Tramways de Corrèze (TC) at Saint Bonnet Avalouze. TC used POC tracks to reach Tulle.
The entire line was opened in 1904. It was closed to passengers on 3 November 1969 and to freight on 31 May 1970.
Steam traction was used throughout the duration of operation. Diesel traction appeared in the 1930s for passenger service in the form of autorails (railcars). Diesel locomotives arrived in 1962 to power the freight trains.
Permanent way
Due to the difficult terrain, it was necessary to build a number of bridges, viaducts and tunnels. Tulle–Uzerche Viaduct of 7 arches of 10 m across the Cérrone, length Viaduct of 5 arches of 8.5 m across the Cérrone, length Viaduct of 5 arches of 10 m across the Cérrone, length Viaduct of 4 arches of 10 m across the Vézère, length Viaduct of 11 arches of 10 m and one of 12 m across the GC3, length long Tulle Tunnel long Puy l'Évêque Tunnel, long Sainte Eulalie Tunnel,
Tulle–Argentat long steel bridge over the Corrèze (river) Viaduct of 4 arches of 10 across the Corrèze, length long Pandrines Tunnel.
Stations
The station buildings were built in the style of the PO, with a combined station house and goods shed, with the roof extended over the loading dock. The stations at Tulle and Uzerche shared facilities with the SNCF.
Tulle–Argentat () Tulle Laguenne Saint-Bonnet-Avalouse Pandrignrd - Saint Paul Saint-Sylvian (Corrèze) Forgès Saint-Chamas (Corrèze) Argentat
Tulle–Uzerche () Tulle Naves Saint Clément - Lagraulière Seilhac Saint-Jul Uzerche
Seilhac–Treignac () Seilhac Chamboulive Le Lonzac Treignac
Rolling stock Steam locomotives
Ten 2-4-0 tank locomotives were built by the Société de Construction des Batignolles for the opening of the line. Four 0-4-4-0 Mallet tank locomotives were ordered from Ateliers de construction du Nord de la France (Blanc-Misseron), who subcontracted the order to Ateliers de Tubize.
No. W.A. Manufacturer Serial No. Year Comments 61 2-4-0T Batignolles 1471 1903 62 2-4-0T Batignolles 1472 1903 63 2-4-0T Batignolles 1473 1903 to Chemin de fer du Blanc-Argent 64 2-4-0T Batignolles 1474 1903 to Chemins de fer départementaux de la Meuse 65 2-4-0T Batignolles 1475 1903 66 2-4-0T Batignolles 1476 1903 to Chemins de fer départementaux de la Meuse 67 2-4-0T Batignolles 1477 1903 to Chemins de fer départementaux de la Meuse 68 2-4-0T Batignolles 1478 1903 to Chemins de fer départementaux de la Meuse 69 2-4-0T Batignolles 1479 1903 to Limagne 70 2-4-0T Batignolles 1480 1903 101 0-4-4-0T Blanc-Misseron / Tubize 337 / 1473 1906 Preserved at the Voies ferrées du Velay 102 0-4-4-0T Blanc-Misseron / Tubize 338 / 1474 1906 103 0-4-4-0T Blanc-Misseron / Tubize 339 / 1475 1906 to Chemins de fer départementaux de la Meuse 104 0-4-4-0T Blanc-Misseron / Tubize 340 / 1476 1906 Preserved at the Chemin de fer du Vivarais
Diesel locomotives 401–402, 32-tonnes loco-tractors built by CFD Montmirail and delivered on 1962.
Autorails (railcars) X 211 and X 212, type X 210 built by SCF Verney in 1951
Carriages and wagons Passenger carriages 38 four-wheel carriages with outside platforms 1 first-third composite saloon AC2f No. 1 11 28-seat first-third composites AC3 Nos. 2–10, AC3f Nos. 11–12 18 39-seat third class AC4f Nos. 21–38 9 passenger luggage vans DPf Nos. 51–59 Goods vehicles Covered van K 96–100, 5.5 tonnes, 1904 Covered van K 101–125, 5.5 tonnes, 1904, series saw service on the Chemins de fer départementaux de la Meuse Covered van with brake compartment Kf 126–140, 6 tonnes, 1906 Covered van with brake compartment Kf 141–150, 6 tonnes, 1908 Open wagon I 201–225, 5 tonnes, 1904 Open wagon I 226–230, 5 tonnes, 1908 Open wagon I 231–245, 5 tonnes, 1925 Flat wagon HH 301–320, 4 tonnes, 1904 Flat wagon with brake, HHf 321–335, 4 tonnes, 1904 Flat wagon with brake, HHf 336–350, 4 tonnes, 1912 Flat wagon, HH 351–356, 4 tonnes, 1904 Flat wagon (sleepers), L 401–402, 4 tonnes, 1904
Additional stock A number of vehicles have also run on the PO-Corrèze De Dion-Bouton autorails from the Réseau des Tramways de l'Ain, Nos. 51–56 An 0-6-6-0 Mallet tank locomotive from the Chemin de Fer du Blanc-Argent, No. 41 Billard type A 80D autorail from the Réseau de la Dordogne, CFD Nos. 601–605, 607, 609, 611 Three bogie passenger carriages from the Tramways de la Sarthe, Nos. B 39–41 Four Billard type A 80D from the Chemin de Fer du Blanc-Argent in 1968, Nos. 31–32, 311–312 A railcar and trailer from the Réseau Breton, Nos. X 153 and RL 5 Approximately 100 goods wagons from the Réseau Breton Four sleeper flat wagons from the Chemin de Fer du Blanc-Argent, Nos. 501–502, 601–602
Notes and references
Bibliography « Le PO Corrèze », dans Chemins de Fer Régionaux et Urbains, vol. 1969-III, no 93, Mai-Juin 1969