Alan Sewell visits Sifraco, Sabliere de Bourron...

In this week's visit Alan shares with us another of his French summer holidays and a trip to Sifraco in 2002...

Sifraco, August 2002. Photo Alan Sewell.

Cie FRANCAISE des SILICES de NEMOURS ( SIFRACO )

Sabliere de Bourron
Bourron-Marlotte
Seine et Marne 
France

Gauge: Standard

Date of Visit: 16th August 2002

Extensive sand pits and washing and preparation plant to north of the SNCF Paris–Nevers mainline and west of RN7 just outside the village. 

The standard gauge sidings curve around the plant following the line of the now disused SNCF branch to Malesherbes. A long line of 100-ton bogie sand hoppers stood in the yard awaiting the end of the August holidays. 

Two locos were found a yellow Fauvet-Girel 4wD parked under an old loading bay, which doubles as a loco shelter and a Gaston Moyse 4wD Type BN parked in the head shunt, by the N7 overbridge. Both locos appeared used and in good condition and the Moyse may be possibly radio controlled. 

This plant was served by an extensive 60cm gauge system in use until the 1960’s. The abutments of the bridge bringing trains from the southern pits  (part of which system is now the Tacot de Lacs preserved railway) across the SNCF can still be found by the N7, and the loco shed and workshops are still used by the company for maintenance.

Also on site was an ex-US Army GMC 6x6 dump truck dating from the 39/45 War of the type used in the quarries, and which later replaced the narrow gauge system along with the current conveyor belts serving pits to the north.

Photo Alan Sewell.

Fauvet-Girel 4wD. Photo Alan Sewell.

Fauvet-Girel 4wD. Photo Alan Sewell.

Gaston Moyse 4wD Type BN, photo Alan Sewell.

 ex-US Army GMC 6x6 dump truck. Photo Alan Sewell.

Remains of 60cm system. Photo Alan Sewell.

Thank you once again to Alan for sharing these wonderfully extensive and inspiring visit notes with us all! I'm not sure that this is the last of his 'summer holiday' trips, I'm sure he will comment either way, but hopefully there will be more of his extensive collection to share in the future. Until next time, more soon...