Two travellers from Switzerland are boarding the dining car LA COUBRE of the SEUDRE OCEAN EXPRESS of the "Train et Traction" railway in La Tremblade, with the former french railway SNCF diesel locomotive BB # 71008 ("Pédalo"). The lococmotive with rod drive was built by Fives-Lille/CFD in 1965 with a SSCM Poyaud V12 prime mover, now with a Cummins KT19. Withdrawn by the SNCF in 1983, since 2011 with Train et Traction. The train has two former swiss Voralpen-Express "Revvivo" cars rebuilt as dining cars LA COUBRE and CORDOUAN, one similar "voiture-office" car VALLIERES for the kitchen and a former french baggage car with a generator for electricity. The cars are named after famous lighthouses on the atlantic coast. In 2000, Train & Traction purchased a total of 4 “Revvivo” wagons from Switzerland (two first class A wagons and two second class B wagons), which originated from SBB type I standard wagons from 1959/1960. They had been extensively rebuilt and refurbished by StalderRail in 1997 for use on the Voralpen Express (VAE) and equipped with air conditioning and new bogies. When this train was converted to the new TRAVERSO, the coaches were available for other operations. The SEUDRE OCEAN EXPRESS circulates between La Tremblade and Saujon about two times a week and is sold out for months usually. An excellent multi-course menu including wine and beverages is served during the journey of about 3 hours.
