Ghost Station

[Tigger]

well not quite, but its got one heck of a history that should be made into a film

When built in the 1920's between the French & Spanish boarders in the Pyrenees was the jewel of stations in Spain. Then during the 2nd WW Franco agreed to let the Nazi use it for movement of gold !! in fact I did an image search and you can see photos of Hitler & Franco standing on the station. After the war it was still used then a train derailment closed the station in 1970

Since then its been left and whilst fenced off all around I found a way in to get in :)

They do tours during the summer months when you can go into the station but thats something I'll have to return for

Last ...and this sounds like something from a sci fi film, under the station in deep tunnels that the Germans made is an underground laboratory where they are studying dark matter....I'm sure there was cameras watching me LOL ... either way enjoy I think its a stunning station and crazy to let it fall apart .....Oh apparently the train that derailed is still on the line and part of the tour is that .... now is it worth a 7hr drive to visit it

Canfranc Station by Ian Theobald, on Flickr

[Stan]

Re: Ghost Station

Interesting building and history and excellent composition

Is that your tripod in the bottom right corner

Stan

[Tigger]

Re: Ghost Station

cheers and no

The photo doesn't really show the full length as its 800 ft long ...yes I counted it out. Would love to get inside but getting past the main fence was bad enough

[ColytonJohn]

Re: Ghost Station

A nice photo with good composition and processing and a very interesting story.

I couldn't understand why such a large building was deemed necessary in such a remote location and the conclusion I'm drawing is that it must have been to provide border/customs facilities and permit travellers to change trains due to the different gauges used by France and Spain. Perhaps they arrived on one side, passed through the building - gaining a chalk cross on their bags as they went - to depart from a platform on the other side. But that is conjecture.

Cheers,
John

[Tigger]

Re: Ghost Station

thanks John - it was amazing walking around it, even though I had to keep one eye open just in case anyone saw me, but it was totally deserted

... some more info and looks like you were right on the money

It was built to accommodate trains using both the French standard rail gauge and those using the larger Spanish gauge. Despite cargo-moving equipment and luxurious passenger facilities, the time-consuming transition between the two tracks meant that the service was not exactly the shortcut Juan Bruil had foreseen in his proposal way back in 1853.

[chrisec]

Re: Ghost Station

Impressive structure and well composed Ian For a 1920's building it looks in remarkable condition, the roof looks like new

[Tigger]

Re: Ghost Station

thanks Chris

I read somewhere that the roof had been placed sometime ago ...Just need to do what the rest of Europe does and wave the Euro credit card and spend a couple of million renovating it ;o)

[AlexR!]

Re: Ghost Station

Fascinating historical oddity, Ian. Glad you didn't get 'disappeared' wandering around there. Nicely taken image, well composed.

[Tigger]

Re: Ghost Station

thanks Alex....and I live to take another snap :o)

[enneo]

Re: Ghost Station

Great historical pic Ian, nice composition.

[tesarver]

Re: Ghost Station

Nice framing and processing Ian

Tom

[Tigger]

Re: Ghost Station

thanks Derek & Tom

[Parsen66]

Re: Ghost Station

What an amazing place and thanks for the history lesson . Another excellent shot from your road trip

[Tigger]

Re: Ghost Station

thanks Alan ....I knew some of the history but thanks to wikki for the fill in

[davcoll]

Re: Ghost Station

Just had a quick look on a maps app,6 ½ hr drive for me . Seriously considering it but I have promised myself a trip to Carcassonne. We drive down to Portugal every February so a diversion would be possible. Thanks for the information , I did not know this place existed.
Dave