Opening of the Tour 1873 (≈ 1873)
Section created by the East Company.
1878
Opening Vouziers-Challerange
Opening Vouziers-Challerange 1878 (≈ 1878)
Line of the Argonne Company.
1969
End of passenger traffic
End of passenger traffic 1969 (≈ 1969)
Replaced by SNCF buses.
1988
Start of tourist exploitation
Start of tourist exploitation 1988 (≈ 1988)
Launch by the VAT association.
1997
Closure of the sugar factory
Closure of the sugar factory 1997 (≈ 1997)
End of the sugar trade in Attigny.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Key figures
Roland Garros - Aviation
Called to the station of Monthois.
Arthur Rimbaud - Poet
Mentioned via *The trunk of Rimbaud*.
Origin and history
The Southern Ardennes Tourist Railway (CFTSA) is managed by the Association Friends of Steam Traction in Ardennes (ATVA), based in Attigny in the Ardennes. This line, closed to passenger traffic but still active for the freight SNCF (cereals, fertilizers, wood), offers tourist routes in Picasso autorail between Amagne-Lucquy and Challerange, along the Aisne valley and its side canal. Attigny Train Station, a central point, houses a ticket office and shop open on Sundays in season.
The tourist line, inaugurated in 1988, includes two historical sections: Amagne-Vouziers (opened in 1873 by the Compagnie de l'Est) and Vouziers-Challerange (1878 by the Compagnie des chemins de fer de l'Argonne). SNCF abolished passenger traffic in 1969, replacing trains with buses. Today, the CFTSA organizes Sunday traffic and special trains, with thematic stops such as La trunke de Rimbaud à Voncq or a tribute to the airman Roland Garros in Monthois.
The rolling stock includes Picasso (X 3800 series), some of which are approved for the national network, such as X 3943 (1959) or X 4719 (2009). These vehicles, acquired or rented by the association, allow journeys at 100 km/h. The line crosses rural landscapes, with stops offering local tastings (apple juices) and historical comments. The current goods traffic is limited to cereals, fertilizers, and wood, the transport of sugar having ceased in 1997 with the closure of the sugar factory d-Attigny.
