Tournon and the Steam Engine Trip from Ardeche

This was a couple hour trip being pulled by restored and beautifully maintained steam engines over one hundred years old,.  The train cars carried us into the most beautiful and inaccessible part of the Doux Gorge.  The trip offers views of an untouched and rugged landscape with views of a once used aqueduct channel and bridges. At the upper station, the locomotive had to be turned round on a turntable and placed at the front of the train for the return trip. Watching the one man push the turntable is a sight worth seeing.

A backward view of this bridge crossing the Doux Gorge as the train emerges from a tunnel

Looking way down at the rocks that line the gorge

France is anxious to get more rain.  It has been a very hot and dry summer for them.

End of the line for this trip.  Time to uncouple the steam engine, turn it around manually and send it back to the other end of the train to pull the cars back down the gorge.

Engine now recoupling with train after the engine was turned around

Dam controlling water in the Doux river gorge

Coming back down the gorge you get a good look at the aqueduct bridge and the aqueduct hugging the right side of the gorge wall as it allows water to be transported down the valley.

Nice aerial view (from internet) shows an overhead look at the aqueduct with water in it.

Back on the Rhone River approaching a low bridge 

with the crew doing chores on the upper deck.  Duck, guys!

Just some beautiful river photos with the picturesque clouds being reflected in the calm waters.  This first picture actually has the French Alps way in the background.

Exiting a lock and looking back at some really stormy dark clouds.  For the most part our weather these past couple of weeks has been incredible.  Only a little rain but not enough to keep us from exploring.