Created on November 15, 1994, under the name Musée ferroviaire de Saint-Géry (Saint-Géry Railway Museum), the Mémorail is dedicated to trains and railways.
It includes a museum, a veritable repository of railway history from 1880 to the present day, and a model railway layout with five circuits on three levels in a superb setting, with regular traffic of railcars and passenger and freight trains from different eras.
A fun ride on a small train pulled by a steam or diesel engine is also available.
The Museum
The museum is housed in a former goods shed on the Cahors–Capdenac line.
Much of the equipment on display comes from this line and was saved when it closed in 1989. An interesting collection of posters and lanterns, as well as other high-quality objects, complete the exhibition.
Don't miss two exceptional acquisitions made in 2004: a 1/10 scale model of the 141 R and a 1/10 scale BB 12000 electric locomotive, a true marvel of technology that can be seen in operation.
The H.O. miniature network
Also worth seeing is an H.O. miniature network created by enthusiasts.
This set of more than 100 meters of track on three levels was completely renovated in 2005 and modernized in 2014 to accommodate Märklin 3-rail vehicles controlled in digital mode (Märklin/Motorola or DCC formats).
The five circuits are embellished with superb scenery, including reproductions of landscapes, a Quercy village, and a railway site with a station, depot, roundhouse, marshalling yard, tunnel, level crossing, and swing bridge.
The regulated traffic of railcars and freight or passenger trains clearly illustrates the evolution of rolling stock and traction equipment over different eras.
The outdoor mini-train circuit
These same enthusiasts were involved in the creation of this small outdoor network on a scale of 7¼ inches, or a gauge of 18.63 cm.
The 450 meters of track, made of 40 x 18 flat iron rails on metal sleepers, feature eight switches, one of which is remotely controlled, a station with a bell, a tunnel, a viaduct over a basin, a swing bridge, and a crane with a water tower.
Sixteen people can ride in the four cars pulled by a live steam locomotive or a diesel locomotive.
The live steam locomotive is a 3/25 scale Decauville 030 built in 1986 by Daniel Chevalier and acquired in 1999. The boiler contains 23 liters of water, is rated at 7 bar, and has been tested at 14 bar. The wheels measure 186 mm and the pistons, with a diameter of 60 mm, have a stroke of 90 mm.
Mémorail Quercy Vapeur
46330 Saint-Géry
Tel.: 05 65 31 33 48 or 05 65 35 46 91
https://www.aiguillages.eu/pages/reportage.php?video=609
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