For "railroad enthusiasts", literally rail crazy, it is an almost sacred place. The RATP historical reserve, installed since 2012 in Villeneuve-Saint-Georges (Val-de-Marne), is a “must” for any self-respecting urban transport enthusiast. This weekend, a handful of lucky people, previously registered, will be able to admire this unique collection of old metro, buses, trams and trains. "We will have theatrical visits, with a troupe of six actors who will come and tell the story of the RATP through the rolling stock", explains Marie Aulanier, in charge of cultural events at the Régie.
In this 15,000 m2 hangar, the entire history of transport in Paris and its suburbs unfolds. Carefully aligned, the machines bear witness to the fashions and advances made in each era. “We keep a copy of the most remarkable models once they are withdrawn from circulation. We select them according to their scientific and technological interest, ”explains Claire Morillon, heritage officer at RATP. In one corner, the agency put aside one of the double-decker buses, like in London, which it briefly operated. “It was a total failure, tells us Claire Morillon. The bridges, the trees not pruned made their circulation difficult ”. Not to mention the lack of enthusiasm of Parisians to climb upstairs for a trip of a few minutes. In 1977,double-decker buses were definitely disappearing.
In Villeneuve Triage, the RATP keeps old models of rolling stock: buses, trams, metro and trains.
The chic trains of the North-South company
The other part of the hangar contains the “nuggets” of the rail network.
A replica of the first wooden metro, inaugurated in 1900, testifies to the basic comfort of the beginnings.
It was stored after the terrible fire at the Couronnes station, which claimed the lives of 84 people in 1903. A few years later, the legendary Sprague -Thomson train took over.
Very robust, it will remain in circulation from 1908 to ... 1983.
Visiting Villeneuve-Triage is an opportunity to learn that the metro has long been operated by two companies that were in fierce competition.
On the one hand, the Compagnie du Métro Parisien (CMP).
On the other hand, the Société du chemin de fer électrique métro Nord-Sud de Paris (current line 12), which dreamed of outclassing the former by offering more refined cars and stations.
All these beautiful people will be integrated into the RATP in 1949.
The Chelles museum open all year round
This long history and this heritage fascinate a large audience.
“As soon as we open our sites, registrations are complete in a few hours,” observes the RATP.
So why not open a permanent museum?
“The Villeneuve site is not suitable for receiving the public on a regular basis,” recalls the management.
It only opens its doors on an exceptional basis, for heritage days or museum nights.
Opening a permanent museum would require heavy investments, it is not our priority, nor our vocation ”.
In Villeneuve Triage, the RATP keeps old models of rolling stock: buses, trams, metro and trains.
The idea of a large transport museum has been in the air for years. The enthusiasts of the association of the museum of urban, interurban and rural transport (AMTUIR), founded in 1957, are fighting to bring this project to life. After exhibiting its collection of 130 vehicles in Malakoff (92), Saint-Mandé (94) or Colombes (92), AMTUIR found its quarters in Chelles, in Seine-et-Marne, in 2007. But lack of space , part of the historic machines is housed by the RATP in Villeneuve-Triage.
The Chelles museum accessible by RER, which also opens this weekend, should change size in the coming years. The association won the call for projects “Let's invent the Grand-Paris metropolis” to rehabilitate the Castermant sector. The new 4,300 m2 buildings should see the light of day by 2026 as part of a real estate project entrusted to Atland and Vinci by the Métropole du Grand Paris. “The mayor of Chelles and the Métropole du Grand Paris are supporting us and we are in discussions with the Réunion des Musées Nationaux-Grand Palais (RMNGP). We know how to run a museum and we want to remain an associative structure. On the other hand, we have to improve ourselves in marketing ”, analyzes the president of the association, Michel Arlais.
Who knows ? One day, Ile-de-France could host a complex equivalent to the London Transport Museum ... This British institution receives 400,000 visitors per year. The quality of its exhibitions has won it numerous awards. But for that, it would be necessary that the hexagonal partners sit down to table. Only the Ministry of Culture, communities, transport operators and a few important patrons could provide the impetus for a large national museum devoted to the mobilities of yesterday and today. Even if the idea is gaining ground, it is not at the center of the priorities in this post-Covid period.