The Chemin de fer à vapeur des Trois Vallées (English: Three Valleys Steam Railway) is a
heritage railway in southern
Belgium, created in 1973.
It is a
non-profit society that operates a railway from the town of
Mariembourg, near
Couvin to
Treignes, near
Viroinval. The length of the railway runs about 14 km over
standard gauge track. The society's name comes from the three rivers followed by the line; River Eau Blanche, River Eau Noire, and River Viroin. The heritage railway connects with the greater
Belgian rail network in Mariembourg.
The society runs two main facilities. The society has constructed its own platforms near the old locomotive
roundhouse and
water tower in Mariembourg, and in Treignes, a former border station, a museum with a large workshop has been built. The last 3 kilometers from the line (partially established in
France) are no longer usable, as its tunnel has been sold and turned in a mushroom growing plant.
Founded by former rail employees, the society purchased many steam engines from the largely nascent coal industry in its early years. Since then, it has also acquired representative rolling stocks from Belgium and neighbouring countries, France and Luxembourg, and from countries where steam locomotives were still in use, such as Poland and East Germany.
Rolling stock
Steam locomotives
Operational
AD05 (
0-6-0T): built by Ateliers métallurgiques, Tubize in 1926 for coal mine André Dumont (
Waterschei). Restored in 2009.
SA01 (0-6-0T): built by Anglo-Franco-Belge in 1945. Acquired operational in 1978. Firebox replaced in 2008–2010.
NE61 (
0-8-0T) : built by SACM, Graffenstaden in 1952 for Neuenkirche Hütte.
SA03 (0-6-0T): built by Ateliers métallurgiques, Tubize in 1929. Restored in 2014.
SNCV 808 (0-6-0T): built by Société Saint Léonard,
Liège, in 1894. Restored in 2007.
DG22 (
0-4-0T): built by Cockerill,
Liège, in 1913 for Heuze – Malevez – Simon,
Auvelais. Small shunter with vertical boiler. Acquired operational in 1980.
MF32 (0-4-0T): built by Haine Saint Pierre in 1904 for Monceau-Fontaine coal mine. Acquired in 1976. Under reconstruction.
NE61 (SACM).
TKt48-87
Elna 158
SNCV 808
DR 64.250
AD07 at Treignes in 1982
Stored, cosmetic condition
DR 52-467 (ex
52 8200-9 oOOOOO) : built by Borsig in 1942, reko-lok retrofitted to its original type in 2004.
MF91 (0-8-0T): built by Usines Metallurgiques du Hainaut, Couillet in 1930. Acquired operational in 1975. This engine has hauled the first train of the CFV3V.
MF73 (0-6-0T): built by Usines Metallurgiques du Hainaut, Couillet in 1922. Acquired operational in 1975.
PF84 (0-4-0T): acquired from Pieux Franki, Liège. Displayed as monument in Treignes.
MF33 (0-4-0T): built by Haine Saint Pierre in 1911 for Monceau-Fontaine coal mine. Acquired operational in 1976. Sold in 2013 to
National Railway Company of Belgium for
Trainworld.
In storage, needing restoration
ÖBB 52-3314 (oOOOOO): built by Jung in 1944.
SA02 (0-6-0T): built by Anglo-Franco-Belge. Rusted and in bad technical condition. may be used for didactical purpose.
MF62 (0-4-0T): built by Baldwin, Philadelphia in 1916 for the US Transportation Corp. Former
SNCB type 50.
VL02-1 and VL02-2 B, built by Cockerill (Liège) for Dolomies de Marche les Dames. Repainted in the Class 77 painting scheme (as the two similar units from SNCB's Ostend depot)
SNCF 63123 (Bo'Bo'), built by Brissonneau et Lotz in 1956. Repainted as
CFLBB 914 (previously in Swiss' CFF Em 4/41123)
SNCF 63149 (Bo'Bo'), built by Brissonneau et Lotz in 1956. In SNCF's original green painting scheme.
SNCF Y 5130 (B), built by De Dietrich, Reichshoffen in 1964.