Established in the Epinay-sur-Orge park since 1993, the network of Little Templar train makes young and old dream. Each year, an average of 1,200 passengers board the reduced-format locomotives.
A sunny day is always synonymous with success. President of the association Le petit train des Templiers, Jean-Claude Fabrello predicted: ” With this beautiful weather, for sure, we will have requests to take a walk! “And it seems that the station master was right … Barely a few minutes later, the judo club of Villemoisson-sur-Orge, passing through with some of its young licensees, could not resist the train call. Although this is their DIY day – they meet every Wednesday and Thursday afternoon – it is with pleasure that the members of the association have taken out their locomotives for
offer an exceptional trip to children. Indeed, the activity established since 1993 in the park of Epinay-sur-Orge is unique in Ile-de-France: boarding a network of small trains.
With its two distinct tracks and its 450 linear meters, the course allows you to circulate several oars and even exercise bikes! In total, three locomotives can be put into circulation: the blue one (a French model of more than
70 years old), the green (an American machine) and the red (a
reproduction of the Swiss train Le Glacier express). These funny electric or thermal machines [ndlr: le club ne possède pas de machines à vapeur] are maintained and renovated by passionate volunteers… who have kept their childlike soul. ” This
that we love is to please! Do you see all those smiles and how happy the little ones are? But we also appreciate DIY and, personally, I am very happy to be able to share my knowledge with the youngest. [ndlr : l’as-
sociation compte des membres âgés de six à 87 ans !]. Moreover, I will be delighted that we can take over with motivated young people! here (speaking of the workshop made from four sea containers), we store our equipment, most of which is collected at the recycling center opposite, and we repair old locomotives. During the confinement, we even manufactured new wagons to accommodate adults and children.», Explains Jean-Claude Fabrello.
A bigger circuit soon?
While 1,200 to 1,500 people, on average, are transported each year, the association’s ambition is to extend its route. It has indeed recovered more than 200 additional meters of rails and would like to expand its outer track. ” We also want to create a real transit station to avoid pushing back the trains in the hangar. [ndlr : les faire reculer]. We therefore plan to create an additional entrance into the workshop, which we can then cross to exit on the other side. », Continues the station master.
When you leave, don’t forget to say hello to Natacha, the person in charge of the counter, and to reward the little marmot. Always accompanied by her locomotive, she collects donations from passengers. Although the activity is free, the generosity of visitors helps to maintain the network and, above all, to make it last. Because it would be a shame if the station closed its doors for good.
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• Train running on the first and third Sunday of the month, and on public holidays, from 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. (April to May depending on the weather). The station should be open this Thursday, November 11.
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