La Forest-Landerneau is a commune in the Finistère department of Brittany in northwestern France. Continue reading... From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Specialty Museum Attractions In La Forest-Landerneau
A shorter version of the video (speeded up and with a music track) is available to view on Vimeo:
In Brittany for a break last week (September 2016), I looked for a nearby railway siding location on Google satellite / street maps to film - and came up with the Cooperl factory at Plounerin.
I could see from the view from above that there might be a shunter or two on site and thought it might be a bit different. Even if they were absent now, I could still film some TGVs flying past.
Apparently there is an app for passenger train times in France, but not one I could find for freight train movements, so whatever happened on the day would be pot luck!
Ignoring the heat, the dust, the banging and crashing from a nearby warehouse being stripped out, and the near gale from 160kph TGV's flying past, I managed to gain this footage!
I did ask if I could be admitted on site to take some film of the 0-4-0 diesel shunter (which I could see in the background at the factory), but I was offered a polite 'Non'. However I have since found some images - courtesy of 'Train Joel' taken in 2008, when there was also a level crossing nearby (now replaced by an underpass for traffic): - merci Train Joel!
Also on the film is a TER, one of only a couple a day that actually stop at Plounerin station.
I had picked up that there was a Class 66 (No 66209) at the rear end of the site. It was showing EWS livery but with the Euro Cargo logo. I managed to film this being checked over although only through the security fence.
66209 eventually eased 21 maize wagons slowly onto the mainline (direction Brest), with the aid of a DBS man speaking constantly to the loco driver on his radio from his vantage point on the rear wagon.
The freight train then crossed over in the direction of Rennes - and there was a cheery smile from the driver as the Class 66 (or 'shed') passed by. At the end of the film you can hear a donkey braying - rural France - I love it!
The factory smelt like a brewery (I was hoping for a tour - or maybe a sample), but it seems it is actually food destined for pigs - maybe they enjoy a beer with their maize?
You can see more about Cooperl in this promo film from 2012 - they are a massive producer of pork in France and elsewhere:
Hope you enjoy the film - it took hours to edit / upload :)