Good afternoon everyone. Today I return to the most famous French island, having already suggested the Balagne Line. Today I'm here to introduce you the "Ligne Centrale Corse" (Corse Central Line). Specifically from its North-East terminus of Bastia, up to Ponte-Leccia. We're in southern France, on the mysterious, fascinating and wild Corse. The largest island in the country. The Mediterranean Sea completely surrounds it, creating a stark contrast with the rugged and rocky nature of this land. Crystalline sea, small beaches, mountains and hills: all one with the small villages, perched on the slopes, and the extended urban area of Bastia. The route begins in the administrative capital, following the suburban stretch, until reaching Casamozza. From here, the regional section begins, climbing up the Golo stream valley. Our arrival is set at Ponte-Leccia, node station of this metric Reséaux. You should expect a rather linear and fast "bust-stop" course in the first half. While you'll have to test yourself as a driver in the second section, full of curves, steep slopes, viaducts and sudden speed drops! This is the Ligne Centrale Corse: Bastia, Casamozza to Ponte-Leccia! GENERAL FEATURES The route in question features: - 47km(29mi) total mainline length. - 11km(7mi) Folelli branch lenght (under reactivation 2025/2026). Total of 57km(35mi). - Single track, metric gauge (1000mm-3 ft 3+3⁄8 in), no electrification on site (mainline path, except for loops at some stations). Except for a small stretch near Ponte-Leccia (double track). - Single track, metric gauge, no electrification on site (Folelli branch). The path is equipped with: - CTC/CCT (Contrôle Centralisé du Trafic) under CCVU (Contrôle Centralisé Voie Unique), as signaling system adopted. - DAAT (Dispositif d’Arrêt Automatique des Trains) by KFS, as safety system adopted. These are tramway-derived systems, adapted to Corse network. Here I add the link to their explanation: https://www.clearsy.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/KFS-KFSV-Product-sheet-November-2021.pdf - The maximum gradient on this section reaches 1.2-2.4/2.6%(12-24/26x1000). - The maximum permitted speed reaches 80km/h(50mph) suburban section, 50-70km/h(31-44mph) regional one. The line is managed by: - CDC (Collectivité de Corse), local government public infrastructure manager. The passenger service is operated by: - CFC (Chemins de fer de la Corse), also under local public management. The network was transferred under Corse regional control in 2012. It was previously owned by SNCF. No SNCF license required! ROUTE AND STATIONS The route has a total of 21 active stops/stations, 1 seasonal stop (L'Arinella), plus 5 demolished ones. Two further stops are planned (Vescovato and Folelli). The calls are, as follows: - Bastia CFC, North-eastern terminus of the route. Km0* Bastia temporary sidings + refueling point (previously old depot). - Lupino [on request], Km1.7* - Bassanese [on request], Km2.5* - L'Arinella [summer only, on request], Km3.3* - Montesoru [on request], Km3.6* - Erbajolo [on request], Km4.4* - Sansonetti-Polyclinique [on request], Km4.9* - Furiani station, Km5.8* - Saltatojo [on request], Km6.5* - Ceppe [on request], Km8* - Casatorra [on request], Km9.4* - Biguglia station [on request], Km10* - Tragone [on request], Km12.4* - Purettone [on request], Km13.7* - Borgo-Maison d'Arrêt [on request], Km14.7* - Borgo station, Km16* - Lucciana-L'Alivella [on request], Km18.3* - Precoghju-Espace Sportif [on request], Km19 c.a. - Casamozza terminus station, equipped with yard and depot/workshop, refueling point and washing/cleaning area. End of suburban area. Km21* Towards Folelli branch (under reactivation). ---- Folelli branch---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Vescovato [planned 2025/26]. - Folelli station [planned 2025/26]. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Barchetta [on request], Km29.6* - Ponte Novu [on request], Km39* Towards Calvi (Balagne Line), already suggested by me: https://forums.dovetailgames.com/th...-metric-route-no-sncf-license-required.78018/ - Ponte-Leccia station, southern terminus of the route. Equipped with service sidings, attached depot and refueling point. Towards Ajaccio (rest of the route). * Distance from route origin, Bastia CFC (Km0). Stop on request Normally, one service perform a small number of major stops. All the others are to be considered by reservation: onboard the convoy with appropriate bell buttons; on platforms by waving your arm. If the driver notices passengers waiting, stops anyway! In game, this could be simulated creating different stop patterns! ROUTE PLAN General view of the route. all main points/places are indicated. Route scheme. Note the high amount of stops on the suburban stretch. Future Folelli branch isn't included! PASSENGER SERVICE REGIONAL – "GRANDES LIGNES" - TER Bastia – Corte – Ajaccio a) Bastia-->Ajaccio via Ponte-Leccia, with 5 services/day. b) Ajaccio-->Bastia via Ponte-Leccia, with 5 services/day. c) Bastia-->Corte, with 1 service/day. d) Corte-->Bastia, with 1 service/day. Total of 12 services/day (entire route, all seasons). SUBURBAN – "PÉRIURBAINE" - TER Bastia – Casamozza a) Bastia-->Casamozza, with 21 services/day (winter time) or 24 services/day (summer time). b) Casamozza-->Bastia, with 24 services/day (all seasons). Total of 45-48 services/day (depends on the season). Total daily TER services (regional+suburban): 60 services/day (summer time). Winter 2024/25 Timetable Link: https://cf-corse.corsica/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Bastia-18nov24-5janv25.pdf OTHER SERVICES There are also a variety of service activities: - Ballast reinstatement along the tracks, using dedicated hopper wagons. - Concrete sleepers and track elements transport, using dedicated flatbed wagons (also about the new Folelli branch reopening). - Ballast weed killer treatment, especially stations and overtaking loops. There are specifically designed tank-sprayer wagons for this. - Recovery of broken or faulty units along the line, using dedicated locos. These activities don't follow a real timetable, but should be introduced at creator's discretion. Generally, they look for the moment when the line is less active (night/off peak moments). ROLLING STOCK The following rolling stock can be seen on this route: PASSENGER - AMG 800 Tilting DMU, for CFC regional and suburban services. Powerful and modern metric-gauge DMU, designated as "Autorail Métrique Grand confort". It's composed of two locked cars, equipped with 4 dedicated tilting bogies (specifically designed for the low-radius curves of Corse). It's powered by 2 powerful (880kW total) Deutz V8 turbodiesel engines, combined with a 2-speed Voith hydraulic transmission (amazing sound!). Maximum speed of 100km/h (62mph). 105 comfort seats, 2 toilets and 220V sockets + headrest tablets. PIS + on-board announcements also presents. The CFC fleet consist of 12 units, In service since 2011. The current livery is clearly inspired by the TGV Duplex Carmillon, decorated with the graphics shown above+new CDC and CFC logos (see route map). Other passenger stock layer: - X 97050 - XR 97000 diesel-hydraulic railcar + cabcar trailer (AI Only at Ponte-Leccia). 3 formations are used on the Balagne Line (Ponte-Leccia – Calvi). SERVICE ACTIVITIES - CFD BB 400 Diesel-mechanical locomotive, for CFC service activities. These are two metric-gauge industrial engines, equipped with two B-type bogies. They're powered by two Caterpillar I6 turbodiesel engines (522kW total), combined with a direct mechanical transmission. Maximum speed of 60km/h (37mph). They're designated by CFC as BB 407 and 408. Originally built for CFD in 1977, they've undergone a major rebuild (2010s): new engines, updated driving desk and modern push/pull (suitable for the CFC fleet). Today they're used on all previously listed activities. Their livery is the classic CFC one, with black frame and white-blue superstructure. Related wagons: - Rgkmm Universal flatbed wagon (various setups)+CFD Type Ballast hopper wagon. The first is a bogie wagon, originally designed for the Romanian metric railways. It's UIC "K" type. There are 9 specimens, configured with both lock poles and fixed side panels. The colour scheme is Yellow-blue (lock poles) and grey (fixed side panels). The same frame serves as base for the 3 herbicide wagons: 1x stainless steel tank, an engine (petrol?) powered dispensing circuit (5 frame-fixed nozzles+manual dispenser) and a second engine (loading and mixing). The second is an old CFD-origin axle wagon, derived from flatbed stock (without the bottom), to which an hopper and the unloading mechanism have been fitted. Here present in 8 specimens. STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES STRONG POINTS - No SNCF license required! - The route is just the right length and not linear at all. - Good number of daily passenger services (60/day). - Good number of stops. - Presence of service activities: track elements/sleepers transport, weed killer treatment, ballast reinstatement and faulty units recovery. - Herbicide treatment, never appeared on TSW before (RHTT based?)! - Stops on request. Can be implemented? - Presence of ECS services: Casamozza depot, Bastia and Ponte-Leccia sidings. - Good mix of passenger services (suburban and regional). - Excellent route articulation, with a fast initial suburban "bus-stop" section, followed by a hilly one (fewer stops and more curves/climbs). - Excellent scenery variety: sea town, countrisyde (suburban, valley and hill). - Stunning and immersive landscape, full of details. - Only one passenger rolling stock required (optimized development time). - Majority of layers available with the proposed stock. - Ability to reuse the AMG 800 on possible future routes, such as the North Provence Line (AMP 800). Already suggested by me: https://forums.dovetailgames.com/threads/north-provence-line-nice-ville-st-andr%C3%A9-les-alpes-france.80354/ WEAK POINTS - The route isn't too fast (max 80km/h-50mph), but it offers an excellent driving challenge. - Some old stops are demolished. - Few daily passenger services in the upper section (12/day), which can be integrated with the proposed service pack. - Folelli's branch won't be open anytime soon (couple of year). Please, put your LIKE here firs, Thank You! Continue Below...
STATIONS Bastia CFC main terminal. the most important station of the route, located in the namesake urban area. Note the old depot, now demolished (Its complete demolition/reconstruction is planned). Left: Borgo station, located about 2/3 of the suburban stretch. It has recently been renovated (platforms etc...). Right: Lucciana-L'Alivella stop, also located on the suburban section. Recent modernization works have also been carried out here. Casamozza station, alongside the CFC depot and maintenance center of the entire Corse network. It's an important stop for southbound services. Left: Barchetta stop, located on the first part of the climb towards Ponte-Leccia. It has also been recently renovated. Right: Ponte Novu station, located around 2/3 of the Casamozza-Ponte-Leccia stretch. It's one of the very few stops still awaiting restoration (planned). Ponte-Leccia node station, Located at the top of the route. It represents a key hub between our line (Bastia-Ajaccio) and the Balagne one. Note the service engines depot. ROUTE VIDEOS Bastia-Venaco cabride, AMG 800 DMU. Please, consider only the Bastia - Ponte-Leccia stretch! Corte-Bastia cabride, AMG 800 DMU. Please, consider only the Ponte-Leccia – Bastia Stretch! Continue Below...
ROUTE PICS Left: general view of Bastia. Right: View of Biguglia Pond. Bastia on the background. Left: Bastia-Poretta Airport, one of the island's 4 domestic flight hub. Right: Lucciana Power Plant, the only local source of electricity! Left: Albano Viaduct, between Barchetta and Ponte Novu. Right: Prunelli Viaduct. In the foreground, remains of the "Pont Génois" (17th Century). Left: Asco Bridge, near Ponte-Leccia. In the background, its twin (Balagne Line). Right: Muzelle Viaduct, near Ponte Novu. One of the many railway structures on this route. Left. Golo Valley, crossed by the namesake stream . It represents the location where our line climbs towards Ponte-Leccia. Right: General view of Ponte-Leccia. Center of, its station. It's located in the Golo and Asco streams basin (highest point of the line). Other important structures are: bridge over the Golo River (immediately after Casamozza) and the imposing North portal of the "La Torreta" Gallery (front of Bastia Terminal). CONCLUSIONS Bienvenue en Corse! An ancient and fascinating land, a meeting point between French and Italian cultures and languages. Without forgetting their local speech... They're so jealous and proud of it! Try your hand at passenger transport on this island, crossing the vast plain of Bastia. Perform both regional and suburban services, ensuring connections with the inland mountains. Challenge the steep slopes and tight bends with the modern and powerful AMG 800 and its tilting! You'll also be able to indulge in some new TSW activities, such as weed killer treatment of ballast! If you love the climate and Mediterranean territories, this route is definitely for you! This is the Ligne Centrale Corse: Bastia, Casamozza to Ponte-Leccia! Given the period, I wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year! See you in 2025, with new proposals of mine! Caravatt.
Oh yes, It's a really nice route! Great setting and some cool new features. And it would solve french licensing issues!
