Route Balagne Line: Calvi To Ponte- Leccia ( Corse ) / New French Metric Route (no Sncf)

Good afternoon everyone!
This time I want to propose you another amazing route, set in Corse (southern France): the Ponte-Leccia / Calvi Line, better known as "The Balagne".
It's approximately 74 km(46mi) long, single track (unelectrified) and metric gauge served (1000 mm).
This itinerary goes up from the magnificent town of Calvi, on the North-West coast of the island, towards the inland (Ponte-Leccia).
The maximum gradient reaches 15/20%.
The maximum speed reaches 40-50km/h(25-31mph).
The route appears as a branch of the main Bastia-Ajaccio Line (158 km/98mi).
It's part of the Corsica Railway Network (Chemins de fer de Corse), which boasts 232 km/144 Mi in length, divided into the two previously mentioned routes.
It's composed by two parts: suburban (coastal area) and regional (up hill).
The line is currently managed by: Corse Collectivity (Collectivité de Corse or CDC).
The passenger service is operated by: CFC (Chemins de fer de Corse), since 2012 (replacing SNCF).

STATIONS/STOPS

There are 24 active stations/stops. The calls are, as follows.

- Calvi CFC (main station and terminal).
- Calvi Talle [on request].
- Calvi Padule [on request].
- Calvi Pinetu [on request].
- Calvi L'Alzeta Suprana [on request].
- Fiumeseccu Alzeta [on request].
- Santa Restituta [on request].
- Lumio L'Arinella [on request].
- Ghjorghju [on request].
- Marina di Sant'Ambroggio [on request].
- Sant'Ambroggio [on request].
- L’Algaghjola [on request].
- Aregno [on request].
- Marina di Davia [on request].
- Botri [on request].
- L'Île Rousse (main station, end of suburban area).
- Monticello [on request].
- Reginu [on request].
- Belgudè [on request].
- Belgudè Pozzatellu [on request].
- Palasca [on request].
- Novella station.
- Pietralba [on request].
- Ponte-Leccia (node station and terminal).

Stops on request are carried out if the driver sees passengers waiting on platforms, or by calling buttons fitted onboard convoys.

ROUTE MAP

General route map (left). As you can see, this island has its own language!

ROLLING STOCK

There are three types of rolling stock currently in service:

- X 97050 - XR 97000 Diesel-hydraulic railcar+cabcar trailer (main stock).

Type: Diesel-Mechanical Self Propelled Railcar
Number of car: 1 (can be coupled with another unit or unit + trailer)
Boogie: 2 (2 axle each), metric gauge (1000 mm)
prime mower: 2x Cummins flat 6 turbodiesel, 290 HP each
Transmission: Hydro-mechanical, Voith 2 speed
Max power output: 216 kW
Brakes: Air and Electromagnetic
Capacity: 44 people each
Max speed: 90 km/h - 56 mph
Year: from 1989
Number of units: 3 sets (3 Power cars+3 trailers) still in service

- AMG 800 Tilting DMU (complementary stock).

Type: Diesel-Mechanical Multiple Unit
Number of car: 2
Boogie: B'2'+2'B' (4/12), metric gauge (1000 mm)
Primer mower: 2x Deutz V8 turbodiesel, 440 HP each
Transmission: Hydro-mechanical, Voith 2 speed
Max power output: 880 kW
Brakes: Air and Electromagnetic
Capacity: 105 people
Max speed: 100 km/h - 62mph
Year: from 2009
Number of units: 12

- X 200 ABH 8 Diesel-mechanical railcar+XR 500 cabcar trailer (railtour stock).

Type: Diesel-Mechanical Self Propelled Rail Car
Number of car: 1 (works in push/pull with its dedicated trailer)
Boogie: 2 (2 axle each), metric gauge (1000 mm)
Primer mower: 1x Renault V12 diesel, 300 HP
Transmission: mechanical manual, 4 speed+reverser
Max power output: 250 kW
Brakes: Air (direct)
Capacity: 44+33 people (railcar+trailer): 77 seats
Max speed: 75 km/h - 47mph
Year: 1950-2009 (now occasional railtours)
Number of units: 8+trailers (two survived, 404 and 406+trailers)

PASSENGER SERVICE

- TER Ponte-Leccia - L'Île Rousse - Calvi (regional service).
a) Ponte-Leccia-->Calvi, with 2 services/day.
b) Calvi-->Ponte-Leccia, with 3 services/day.

Total of 5 services/day (all seasons).

- TER Calvi - L'Île Rousse (suburban service).
a) Calvi-->L'Île Rousse, with 8 services/day (all seasons).
b) L'Île Rousse-->Calvi, with 7 services/day (winter time) or 8 services/day (summer time).

Total of 15/16 services/day.

Total daily services: 21/day (summer peak).

Winter 2024/25 Timetable:
https://cf-corse.corsica/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/GLignes18nov2024-5janv2025.pdf (regional)
https://cf-corse.corsica/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Balagna18nov2024-5janv2025.pdf (suburban)

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ROUTE VIDEOS


Cabride Ponte-Leccia - Calvi, AMG 800 DMU.


Cabride Calvi - Ponte-Leccia, AMG 800 DMU.

ROUTE PICS


L'Île Rousse station, terminal of the suburban area.


L'Île Rousse (main square and shoreline).


Calvi Station, route terminal.


General view of Calvi and its harbor. Its famous citadel and station are not visible here.


Characteristic view of Novella, perched on the hill overlooking the route.

I hope that this introduction will help you better understand this route, which is considered one of the most beautiful in Southern Europe. Let me know yours by leaving a comment!
Caravatt.