The roundhouse was originally built in 1858 by the Chemins de Fer de l'Est company.
The museum holds several steam locomotives that are protected as Monument Historique items.
The site features a functional 18-meter-wide turntable used for rotating locomotives into their respective service bays.
AJECTA is an acronym for the Association de Jeunes pour l'Entretien et la Conservation des Trains d'Autrefois.
The depot at Longueville remains one of the few places in France where a mid-19th-century engine shed is still used for its original purpose.
The Living Museum of Railway, managed by the AJECTA association, is located within a genuine 19th-century railway depot in Longueville. The site features a preserved 1858-era roundhouse and a operational turntable that remains central to its collection. The museum houses a significant assembly of steam locomotives, vintage passenger carriages, and historic freight wagons dating back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Many of the displayed locomotives are classified as official Historical Monuments in France. The site operates as a working workshop where volunteers restore and maintain these railway relics. Visitors can observe the mechanical complexities of steam-era engineering in an authentic industrial setting. The facility showcases the evolution of French railway technology from the early days of steam power to more modern rolling stock.
From the center of the turntable, looking toward the open stalls of the roundhouse.
Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes as you will be walking on gravel and around industrial machinery.
Bring a jacket, as the interior of the historic roundhouse can remain cool even during summer months.
Check the website for specific 'Steam Train' event days, as these are the only times the locomotives are typically under steam.
Do not expect a fully modern, climate-controlled museum; this is an industrial site, so manage expectations regarding dust and uneven terrain.
Open primarily on weekends and holidays from spring through autumn; closed during the winter months.
Avoid touching the machinery or climbing on rolling stock unless explicitly permitted by staff, as many components are covered in industrial grease.
