Piguet 0-6-0 T N° 4 was part of a series of 18 locomotives built in Lyon between 1911 et 1912, for the « Tramways Départementaux de la Corrèze » metre gauge network.
This network was opened in 1912/1913. However, badly designed, built cheaply and consisting of 3 separate and steeply graded lines, it saw little traffic and was partially closed as early as 1931!
One line only remained open, from Tulle to Neuvic d’Ussel. It closed in 1959. By that time, interest in railway preservation was growing in France. This led the AMTUIR association (“Association du Musée des Transports Urbains, Interurbains et Ruraux”, “Association for an urban, inter-urban and rural transport museum”) to buy locomotive N° 4 in 1961. This engine had been completely overhauled shortly before the railway closed down. A wise choice, as it has not run since then and is mechanically in excellent condition.

From 1964 to 1972, Piguet N° 4 was displayed in the AMTUIR’s first museum in Malakoff, in the western suburbs of Paris. The museum and the engine were then transferred to St Mandé, in the eastern suburbs, until this museum closed in turn in 2000. The Piguet was then stored successively in Colombes (Paris western suburbs), and in Noyon (Oise).

Finally in early 2013, an agreement was reached between AMTUIR and the CFBS whereby the engine was entrusted to the CFBS for restoration to working order, AMTUIR retaining ownership of the locomotive.

Having arrived in St Valery in April the same year, the Piguet has since been undergoing a full overhaul. Its boiler was re-tubed in October 2017 and pressure-tested in early 2020. The buffer beams have been replaced and the wheel tyres have been machined. In early 2020, various other parts were being restored, air brakes were being fitted, and the CFBS hopes to have this engine ready for the 2020 high season.

Some technical data:
Weight empty: 18.5 metric tons
Wheel diameter: 850mm
Working pressure of the boiler: 13 bar
Grate surface: 0.76m2
Length: 7m
Width: 2.1m
Water/coal capacity: 2500l./700kg
Cylinder diameter: 320mm
Piston stroke: 420mm