Nouméa-Païta railway

The railway line Noumea Paita was the only railway line of New Caledonia.

Planning

The first plans for the construction of a railway line in New Caledonia originated in May 1884, the line should be the capital Noumea connect with the city Bourail. They decided on a narrow gauge railway with a track width of 914 mm (3 feet ).

Architectural History

The construction could only begin under Governor Paul Feillet on August 17, 1901 because the previous governor Pallu de la Barrière had the project faced hostile. Due to the uneven terrain, it proved more difficult and costly than originally planned. Among other things, the construction of a 200 m long tunnel at the pass Col de Tonghoué was required. The first section from Noumea to Nouméa with a length of 17 km was inaugurated on 30 December 1904. The elongation at Paita was addressed without delay, but set in 1906 because of financial problems and resumed in May 1910. In addition to a bridge of 79 meters in length over the river Dumbéa the construction of several other bridges as well as a second tunnel was required. On January 1, 1914, the second part of Nouméa was inaugurated by Paita. The outbreak of the First World War meant the end of all the planning and preparation of an extension of the line.

Operation

For the 29 km long route from Noumea to Paita, a total of eleven stations and stops were on the need to implement a train for an hour and 15 minutes. The line ran consistently through a sparsely populated area and soon proved to be unprofitable. 1914 were transported an average of 30 tons of cargo per week. In the hot and humid climate of New Caledonia, the cost of maintenance of rolling stock and for the maintenance of the track were higher than the retracted profit.

Closure

The railway line was known as the " Petit Train" ( Little train ) and was operated until the end of 1939. In November 1939, it was decided, for financial reasons, to suspend provisionally the driving conditions on the whole route, which was now in a bad state. On 1 January 1940, the operation was, however, completely set. In April 1942, took advantage of the U.S. Army, the New Caledonia had occupied during the Second World War, the distance scale or for the transport of ammunition and explosives to two near Paita and Nouméa depots.

Today's state

On the northern outskirts of Païta the remains of the railway facilities are in the district of Allotment Scheffleras still recognizable today, even though the tracks were removed and the actual railway line in the countryside is no longer visible. The loading dock is well preserved, as are the foundations of various buildings. On the site of a locomotive was erected, it was known under the name MARGUERITE and was used until the closure of the route. In the center of Noumea is a memorial plaque near the former railway station premises to the railway station Hôtel de la Gare.

Locomotive MARGUERITE

Locomotive MARGUERITE