|
The 600 mm interurban steam tramway known as Chemins de fer du Calvados operated within the vicinity of Caen between 1891 - 1944. The network consisted of two separate divisions: one operated out of Caen, and another one operated out of the town of Bayeux. Both divisions were connected via the 8 km.-long dual gauge segment of the track along the standard gauge railroad right-of-way between Luc-sur-Mer and Courseulles, which was used for non-revenue rolling stock transfers only. The Caen system was split in two service-wise as there was no revenue service through the segment via the Caen’s city center, with the northern branch services terminating at Pont de Cortonne near St. Pierre, and the southern branch services terminating at Gare de L’Quest. Both terminals were connected by the urban electric tramway. In addition to passenger service, there were branches to local ore depositories. The system was in decline since 1925, which led to massive closures of most segments of the system between 1929 - 1932. The last and the most popular line connecting Caen with the Atlantic coast at Luc-sur-Mer remained in service until 1944, succumbing to heavy fighting on the D-Day invasion during the World War II.
|
