Train de Rillé
Tourist railway with 60 cm gauge on the shore of Lake Rillé, with historic steam and diesel locomotives operated by volunteers.
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About the museum
In 1973, three enthusiasts of narrow-gauge railways acquired 60 cm gauge equipment and began building a small network. In 1977 they founded the AECFM association (Association d’Exploitation du Chemin de Fer du réseau de Marcilly). The first network, at Marcilly, ran on diesel from 1981 to 1985 and on steam from 1986 to 1990, but it lacked visitors.
The association therefore moved to Lake Rillé in 1989–1990, with help from local authorities and the Centre region. The new network was partially opened on August 26, 1990 and officially inaugurated in May 1991. The association now has about 130 members, around forty of whom work on the network regularly. The track and buildings belong to the association, while part of the rolling stock belongs to members who lend it.
The single-track 60 cm line is 3 km long. It runs along the lake, climbs through the woods to the water stop for the steam locomotives, then crosses fields and meadows to the dam, where the locomotive changes ends before the return. The train runs from May to September; winter is devoted to maintaining the equipment, which includes steam locomotives, diesel locotractors and about fifty historic carriages and wagons.
Highlights
- Steam locomotive “La Touraine” (Orenstein & Koppel, 1913), in service
- Steam locomotive “Polska” (Henschel, 1918), in service
- Decauville locotractors and other historic diesel vehicles
- “Le Petit Anjou” passenger carriage of 1893 and open carriage “La Baignoire”
- 3 km line along Lake Rillé and through the woods
- More than 50 historic carriages and wagons
Permanent exhibition
- Matériel roulant historique à voie de 60 cm – Steam locomotives, diesel locotractors and about fifty historic carriages and wagons, restored by volunteers.
- Founded
- 1990
- Operated by
- AECFM (association de bénévoles)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €6 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €4Accompanied children aged 4 to 16, people with disabilities and groups of 10 or more |
| Children & teens | €4free up to age 3 · Free for children under 4 accompanied by adults; reduced rate from 4 to 16 when accompanied. |
| Visitors with disabilities | €4Reduced rate for people with disabilities. |
| Groups (10+ people) | €4 per personReduced rate from 10 people. Special trains for groups outside running days: packages for 60 people. |
| Passion Vapeur fare | €12Ticket valid all afternoon with free access to all trains, for enthusiasts. |
| Special steam train, adult group (package for 60 people) | €400€100 deposit at booking. |
| Special diesel train, adult group (package for 60 people) | €300€100 deposit at booking. |
| Special steam train, school group (package for 60 people) | €250 |
| Special diesel train, school group (package for 60 people) | €200 |
| Guided tour of the facilities (group option) | €150In addition to a special train. |
The fare is the same whether the train is hauled by a steam or a diesel locomotive. Payment by bank card accepted.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The train is accessible to people with reduced mobility; wheelchairs are kept at the station if needed. Dogs travel free on board (small dogs on laps, large dogs on a leash and muzzled if possible); category 1 dogs and reptiles are prohibited.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 3 |
|---|
Free for children under 4 accompanied by adults; reduced rate from 4 to 16.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
Entrance to the car park, which gives access to the station, 2 km from the center of Rillé on the D49 towards Noyant, La Pellerine and Lake Rillé (GPS coordinates 47.456150 / 0.223213). The path to the depot is 1.6 km from the center of Rillé and opens only by invitation.
The site is near Lake Rillé, 40 km west of Tours and 20 km northwest of Langeais.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Coat check
Luggage, bicycles and scooters are kept free of charge in a locked room at the station for the duration of the journey.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | The 3 km journey includes a stop at the steam locomotives’ water stop, then a return to the station after the locomotive changes ends. Smoking is prohibited on board. Special group trains are booked only by email via the website; seats cannot be reserved on the calendar days, but small groups are invited to report to the station master. |
