Perhaps, a forgotten railway whispers tales of coal and camaraderie here at the Voie Mère de Pont-à-Vendin à Violaines. This path beneath our feet was once a vital artery. It pulsed with the lifeblood of the Mines de Lens.
The Voie Mère de Pont-à-Vendin à Violaines tells a story of industrial might. It speaks of a time when coal fueled a nation. Imagine the scene. It is the late 19th century. Steam locomotives chug along this very track. They ferry miners to work. They carry coal to market. The air is thick with smoke and the scent of industry.
This wasn’t just any railway. The Voie Mère de Pont-à-Vendin à Violaines was the Chemin de Fer des Mines de Lens. It was a private network serving the Compagnie des Mines de Lens. A decree in 1860 authorized its construction. It aimed to connect the mines to the Gare de Lens and the canal. A second decree in 1862 extended the line to the Fosse 3.
In 1875, an important connection was authorized. A new line of eight kilometers would link Violaines to the Fosse Saint Elisabeth. It would pass through Vendin, Wingles and Douvrin. This enhanced the network’s reach. The Voie Mère de Pont-à-Vendin à Violaines became more crucial.
By the late 1800s, the Compagnie des Mines de Lens boasted an impressive railway. It had 43 kilometers of track and eight locomotives. Over 300 wagons were in use alongside three special passenger cars. Each passenger car could hold 60 people.
For many years, this line transported both goods and people. Miners from surrounding villages relied on what some called “le petit train”. It connected Lens to La Bassée. The journey took about an hour. The train stopped at Lens, Vendin, Pont-à-Vendin, Wingles, Douvrin, and Auchy-les-Mines.
The Compagnie des Mines de Lens even employed people to maintain the stations. They were known to keep platforms decorated with flowers. The hedges were neatly trimmed. The entire route was well-cared for.
The Voie Mère de Pont-à-Vendin à Violaines served various purposes. People used it to go to school or work in Lens. Others traveled to markets or Racing Club de Lens matches. Some passengers even brought their bicycles on board. A special wagon was reserved just behind the locomotive.
While primarily a freight line, passenger service existed. The Voie Mère de Pont-à-Vendin à Violaines offered first and second class tickets. Miners and their families rode for free. The service ended around 1958.
The Voie Mère de Pont-à-Vendin à Violaines eventually faded into disuse. In 1986, freight traffic ceased between Lens and Pont-à-Vendin. Today, sections remain undeferred. The Voie Mère de Pont-à-Vendin à Violaines serves as a reminder. It echoes a past of coal mines and railways. It whispers tales of communities linked by iron tracks. As we stand here, we can almost hear the echoes of the past. The Voie Mère de Pont-à-Vendin à Violaines stands as a testament. It shows the enduring legacy of industry.