The railway uses the 60cm Decauville gauge system, widely utilized by the French military during WWI for logistical transport.
The track layout includes a rare 'switchback' section used to manage steep gradients between the valley floor and the plateau.
The collection includes locomotives that once served in sugar beet factories before being restored for heritage use.
APPEVA stands for Association Picarde pour la Préservation et l'Entretien des Véhicules Anciens.
The railway operates on a section of the historic 'P'tit Train de la Haute Somme' which previously served local agricultural industries.
Many of the locomotives in the collection are over 100 years old and originate from various European manufacturers.
The Tiny Train of the Upper Somme (APPEVA) is a heritage narrow-gauge railway museum and active steam train line located in the Somme valley of France. The site operates on a historic 60cm gauge track originally built during the First World War to supply trenches. Visitors ride in vintage carriages pulled by restored steam and diesel locomotives through the marshes and wetlands of the Somme River valley. The site functions as a living museum, maintained by a volunteer association dedicated to preserving industrial railway heritage. The tracks traverse the site of the former battlefields, connecting the stations at La Neuville-lès-Bray and Froissy. The museum exhibits a collection of rare 60cm gauge industrial and military engines housed in a dedicated facility. The route offers unique access to protected natural habitats and former canal towpaths not reachable by road.
The bridge crossing the Somme canal provides the clearest view of the steam train passing over the water.
Bring a light jacket as open-air carriages can be breezy even in summer.
Arrive early to have time to explore the locomotive museum sheds before the train departure.
Check the official website for 'Steam Days' vs 'Diesel Days' if you have a preference for engine type.
Do not attempt to walk along the tracks outside of designated public pathways.
Operates primarily from spring through autumn, generally on weekends and public holidays; check for mid-week operations during peak summer months.
Closed-toe shoes are recommended for walking around the tracks and industrial areas.
