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86-502: Brittany in the mid nineteenth century was a largely agricultural area. the quarrying of slate and granite also took place. Forests in inland areas had previously supplied timber for construction of buildings and shipbuilding at the larger coastal ports, but this industry had largely declined as the source material was exhausted and the land turned over to agriculture. Apart from roads, the first transportation system constructed in Brittany

172-603: A pelite . Slate can be made into roofing slate, a type of roof tile which are installed by a slater . Slate has two lines of breakability—cleavage and grain—which make it possible to split the stone into thin sheets. When broken, slate retains a natural appearance while remaining relatively flat and easy to stack. A series of "slate booms" occurred in Europe from the 1870s until the First World War following improvements in railway, road and waterway transportation systems. Slate

258-691: A track gauge of 1,435 mm ( 4 ft  8 + 1 ⁄ 2  in ). The standard gauge is also called Stephenson gauge (after George Stephenson ), international gauge , UIC gauge , uniform gauge , normal gauge in Europe, and SGR in East Africa. It is the most widely used track gauge around the world, with about 55% of the lines in the world using it. All high-speed rail lines use standard gauge except those in Russia , Finland , Uzbekistan , and some line sections in Spain . The distance between

344-552: A connection with the CF PO Savernay - Landerneau line. The line between Perros St. Fiacre and Le Fret closed to passengers in May 1946. Between Carhaix and Port de Carhaix, the line ran parallel to the Carhaix - Rosporden line. This gave the impression of double track, but was operated as two separate single track lines. Leaving Port de Carhaix (5.7 km (3.5 mi)), the line crossed

430-628: A country (for example, 1,440 mm or 4 ft  8 + 11 ⁄ 16  in to 1,445 mm or 4 ft  8 + 7 ⁄ 8  in in France). The first tracks in Austria and in the Netherlands had other gauges ( 1,000 mm or 3 ft  3 + 3 ⁄ 8  in in Austria for the Donau Moldau line and 1,945 mm or 6 ft  4 + 9 ⁄ 16  in in

516-544: A high stone arch bridge before Huelgoat-Locmaria (15.8 km (9.8 mi)) was reached. This station stood in Locmaria-Berrien and was some (6 km (3.7 mi)) from Huelgoat. The d'Argent was crossed by a steel bridge before Kervallon Halte (19.8 km (12.3 mi)) was reached. Here, the line passed to the east of the Forêt Domaniale de St-Ambrose . Scrignac-Berrien station (23.6 km (14.7 mi))

602-453: A light-green, spotted texture. These spheres are sometimes deformed by a subsequent applied stress field into ovoids, which appear as ellipses when viewed on a cleavage plane of the specimen. However, some evidence shows that reduced spots may also form after deformation and acquire an elliptical shape from preferential infiltration along the cleavage direction, so caution is required in using reduction ellipsoids to estimate deformation. Before

688-406: A long-lasting weathertight roof with a lifespan of around 60–125 years. Some mainland European slate suppliers suggest that using hook fixing means that: The metal hooks are, however, visible and may be unsuitable for historic properties. Slate tiles are often used for interior and exterior flooring, stairs, walkways and wall cladding. Tiles are installed and set on mortar and grouted along

774-410: A loss of up to 50% of the volume of the mudrock as it is compacted. Grains of platy minerals, such as clay minerals , are rotated to form parallel layers perpendicular to the direction of compaction, which begin to impart cleavage to the rock. Slaty cleavage is fully developed as the clay minerals begin to be converted to chlorite and mica. Organic carbon in the rock is converted to graphite . Slate

860-570: A rudimentary damp-proof membrane . Small offcuts are used as shims to level floor joists. In areas where slate is plentiful it is also used in pieces of various sizes for building walls and hedges, sometimes combined with other kinds of stone. Because it is a good electrical insulator and fireproof, it was used to construct early-20th-century electric switchboards and relay controls for large electric motors . Because of its thermal stability and chemical inertness, slate has been used for laboratory bench tops and for billiard table tops. Slate

946-631: A standard gauge line on 3 July 1967. The first station is Carnoët-Locarn (5.6 km (3.5 mi)), the station being nowhere near either village. Le Plenity Halte (13 km (8.1 mi)) is next. Although plans were made to upgrade this to station status and provide full facilities, these were not carried out. Callac (20.3 km (12.6 mi)) is next, followed by Le Mais Halte (25.2 km (15.7 mi)). Plougonver (29.6 km (18.4 mi)) and Pont Melvez (34.5 km (21.4 mi)) stations are followed by Coat-Guégen Halte (37.8 km (23.5 mi)). Moustéru station (42.1 km (26.2 mi))

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1032-505: A standard gauge of 4 ft  8 + 1 ⁄ 2  in ( 1,435 mm ), and those in Ireland to a new standard gauge of 5 ft 3 in ( 1,600 mm ). In Great Britain, Stephenson's gauge was chosen on the grounds that existing lines of this gauge were eight times longer than those of the rival 7 ft or 2,134 mm (later 7 ft  1 ⁄ 4  in or 2,140 mm ) gauge adopted principally by

1118-422: Is a fine-grained, metamorphic rock that shows no obvious compositional layering but can easily be split into thin slabs and plates. It is usually formed by low-grade regional metamorphism of mudrock . This mild degree of metamorphism produces a rock in which the individual mineral crystals remain microscopic in size, producing a characteristic slaty cleavage in which fresh cleavage surfaces appear dull. This

1204-525: Is also fire resistant and energy efficient. Slate roof tiles are usually fixed (fastened) either with nails or with hooks (as is common with Spanish slate). In the UK, fixing is typically with double nails onto timber battens (England and Wales) or nailed directly onto timber sarking boards (Scotland and Northern Ireland). Nails were traditionally of copper, although there are modern alloy and stainless steel alternatives. Both these methods, if used properly, provide

1290-745: Is currently operated by the Ghana Railway Company Limited . Kojokrom-Sekondi Railway Line (The Kojokrom-Sekondi line is a branch line that joins the Western Railway Line at Kojokrom ) Indian nationwide rail system ( Indian Railways ) uses 1,676 mm ( 5 ft 6 in ) broad gauge. 96% of the broad gauge network is electrified. The railway tracks of Java and Sumatra use 1,067 mm ( 3 ft 6 in ). Planned and under construction high-speed railways to use 1,668 mm ( 5 ft  5 + 21 ⁄ 32  in ) to maintain interoperability with

1376-442: Is in contrast to the silky cleaved surfaces of phyllite , which is the next-higher grade of metamorphic rock derived from mudstone. The direction of cleavage is independent of any sedimentary structures in the original mudrock, reflecting instead the direction of regional compression. Slaty cleavage is continuous, meaning that the individual cleavage planes are too closely spaced to be discernible in hand samples. The texture of

1462-462: Is mainly composed of the minerals quartz, illite , and chlorite, which account for up to 95% of its composition. The most important accessory minerals are iron oxides (such as hematite and magnetite ), iron sulfides (such as pyrite ), and carbonate minerals. Feldspar may be present as albite or, less commonly, orthoclase . Occasionally, as in the purple slates of North Wales , ferrous ( iron(II) ) reduction spheres form around iron nuclei, leaving

1548-614: Is next, followed by Trégonneau-Squiffec (63.3 km (39.3 mi)) then Brélidy-Plouëc (68.6 km (42.6 mi)), which is nearer to La Belle Eglise than Brélidy or Plouëc de Trieux. Plouëc had a connection with the CdN Plouëc - Tréguier line. Leaving Brélidy-Plouec, the line heads for the Trieux . After leaving Pontrieux Halte (73.8 km (45.9 mi)), the Trieux is crossed by a six-arch viaduct before Pontrieux (74.9 km (46.5 mi))

1634-486: Is not to be confused with shale, from which it may be formed, or schist . The word "slate" is also used for certain types of object made from slate rock. It may mean a single roofing tile made of slate, or a writing slate , which was traditionally a small, smooth piece of the rock, often framed in wood, used with chalk as a notepad or notice board, and especially for recording charges in pubs and inns. The phrases "clean slate" and " blank slate " come from this usage. Slate

1720-505: Is particularly suitable as a roofing material as it has an extremely low water absorption index of less than 0.4%, making the material resistant to frost damage. Natural slate, which requires only minimal processing, has an embodied energy that compares favorably with other roofing materials. Natural slate is used by building professionals as a result of its beauty and durability. Slate is incredibly durable and can last several hundred years, often with little or no maintenance. Natural slate

1806-592: Is reached. A branch here served the port. The Leff is crossed by a steel bridge on the approach to Frynadour (79.6 km (49.5 mi)). Lancherf (84.3 km (52.4 mi)) and Plounez (87.4 km (54.3 mi)) are next, before the terminus at Paimpol Station (90.2 km (56.0 mi)). A branch at Paimpol served the port. Next to the RB station was a CdN station which served the Paimpol - Tréguier and Paimpol - Plouha lines. The CdN line between Paimpol and Tréguier crossed

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1892-426: Is the finest-grained foliated metamorphic rock. Foliation may not correspond to the original sedimentary layering, but instead is in planes perpendicular to the direction of metamorphic compression. The foliation in slate, called " slaty cleavage ", is caused by strong compression in which fine-grained clay forms flakes to regrow in planes perpendicular to the compression. When expertly "cut" by striking parallel to

1978-473: Is the last before Guingamp (53.3 km (33.1 mi)). At Guingamp there were loco sheds and facilities to service metre and standard gauge rolling stock. There is a connection with the standard gauge Paris - Brest line. Guingamp station had a connection with the Chemin de fer des Côtes-du-Nord (CdN) Guingamp - Plouha and Guingamp - St. Nicolas du Pélem lines. Gourland station (55.8 km (34.7 mi))

2064-533: The Chemins de fer départementaux du Finistère , and closed before the Second World War. In 1947 it was reopened as a standard-gauge line for freight traffic only, before finally closing in 1963. The metre gauge line between Guingamp and Paimpol was converted to dual gauge in 1924. With the removal of the metre gauge third rail in 1953, the line became standard gauge only between Guingamp and Paimpol. The conversion of

2150-598: The Liverpool and Manchester Railway , authorised in 1826 and opened 30 September 1830. The extra half inch was not regarded at first as very significant, and some early trains ran on both gauges daily without compromising safety. The success of this project led to Stephenson and his son Robert being employed to engineer several other larger railway projects. Thus the 4 ft  8 + 1 ⁄ 2  in ( 1,435 mm ) gauge became widespread and dominant in Britain. Robert

2236-666: The Mid North at Mintaro and Spalding . Slate is abundant in Brazil , the world's second-largest producer of slate, around Papagaios in Minas Gerais , which extracts 95 percent of Brazil's slate. However, not all "slate" products from Brazil are entitled to bear the CE mark . Most slate in Europe today comes from Spain , the world's largest producer and exporter of natural slate, and 90 percent of Europe's natural slate used for roofing originates from

2322-578: The CF Blonay-Camay and No. 6 on the CF Touristique d'Ardèche. The first RB standard gauge locomotive was an 0-6-0 built in the 1860s for the CF de l'Ouest. Several were in use until the end of the Second World War. There were also five 0-10-0 T locomotives ex Saxony Railways class XI, built by Hartman between 1913 and 1918. In 1939, some 2-6-2 T locomotives were acquired. They were in service until 1953. After

2408-613: The Canal de Nantes à Brest. In 1880, the concession to build an Intérêt Générale system in Brittany was given to the CF de l'Ouest. It was agreed that the lines would be built to metre gauge , but provision would be made for conversion to standard gauge should the need arise. Morlaix would be the administrative headquarters, but Carhaix would be the main station, with engineering workshops, locomotive depôt and carriage workshops. The first line opened in 1891 and further extensions until 1925 gave

2494-591: The D769 road and then followed the Canal du Nantes à Brest until St Hernin - Cléden Halte 11.9 km (7.4 mi)) was reached. The canal was followed until Spézet-Landeleau station 16.7 km (10.4 mi)), after which the Aulne was crossed by a long steel bridge. The railway then began its ascent of the Monts d'Arreé. Kerivarc'h Halte 22.3 km (13.9 mi)) was followed by Châteauneuf du Faou 27.9 km (17.3 mi)), where

2580-889: The Great Western Railway. It allowed the broad-gauge companies in Great Britain to continue with their tracks and expand their networks within the "Limits of Deviation" and the exceptions defined in the Act. After an intervening period of mixed-gauge operation (tracks were laid with three rails), the Great Western Railway finally completed the conversion of its network to standard gauge in 1892. In North East England, some early lines in colliery ( coal mining ) areas were 4 ft 8 in ( 1,422 mm ), while in Scotland some early lines were 4 ft 6 in ( 1,372 mm ). The British gauges converged starting from 1846 as

2666-631: The Netherlands for the Hollandsche IJzeren Spoorweg-Maatschappij ), but for interoperability reasons (the first rail service between Paris and Berlin began in 1849, first Chaix timetable) Germany adopted standard gauges, as did most other European countries. The modern method of measuring rail gauge was agreed in the first Berne rail convention of 1886. Several lines were initially built as standard gauge but were later converted to another gauge for cost or for compatibility reasons. 2,295 km (1,426 mi) Victoria built

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2752-593: The RB line by the standard gauge PO line. Leaving Châteauneuf Embranchement, the D887 road was crossed by a high arch bridge. Kerhillac Halte 64.5 km (40.1 mi)) was followed by Plomodiern-Ploéven station 69.9 km (43.4 mi)). St Nicolas Pentrez station 75.6 km (47.0 mi)) was followed by Argol Halte 80.5 km (50.0 mi)) before Telgruc 83.1 km (51.6 mi)) and Tal-ar-Groas 89.1 km (55.4 mi)) stations were followed by Crozon-Morgat station 94.65 km (58.81 mi)). The next station

2838-446: The RB station lay alongside the CA station, which was on the CA's Landivisiau - Rosporden line. Leaving Châteauneuf du Faou, Langelet Halte 31.9 km (19.8 mi)) was followed by Lennon station 35.6 km (22.1 mi)) before Pleyben 41.1 km (25.5 mi)) was reached. Saint Segal station 47.9 km (29.8 mi)) was followed by Port Launay 51.8 km (32.2 mi)), where

2924-423: The RB. All five lines that made up the main RB system originated from Carhaix. The station is located to the east of the town. In common with many of the station on the RB, Carhaix was architecturally similar to may CF de l'Ouest stations. The lines of the RB were mainly built with Moroccan labour. Many of the stations were not in the settlements they purported to serve. Often a double-barrelled name indicated that

3010-584: The advantages of equipment interchange became increasingly apparent. By the 1890s, the entire network was converted to standard gauge. The Royal Commission made no comment about small lines narrower than standard gauge (to be called "narrow gauge"), such as the Ffestiniog Railway . Thus it permitted a future multiplicity of narrow gauges in the UK. It also made no comments about future gauges in British colonies, which allowed various gauges to be adopted across

3096-531: The branch to the port on a flat crossing . The 49.75-kilometre (30.91 mi) line from Carhaix to Rosporden opened on 2 August 1896. Leaving Carhaix, the N164 Angers - Brest road was crossed by a skew bridge. The railway crossed the Canal de Nantes à Brest before Port de Carhaix station (5.7 km (3.5 mi)) was reached. On leaving Port de Carhaix, the D769 road was crossed. Motreff (12.9 km (8.0 mi))

3182-645: The calls of all four species of wild turkey in North America: eastern, Rio Grande, Osceola and Merriam's. Slate is found in the Arctic and was used by Inuit to make the blades for ulus . China has vast slate deposits; in recent years its export of finished and unfinished slate has increased. Deposits of slate exist throughout Australia, with large reserves quarried in the Adelaide Hills in Willunga , Kanmantoo , and

3268-476: The coal mines of County Durham . He favoured 4 ft 8 in ( 1,422 mm ) for wagonways in Northumberland and Durham , and used it on his Killingworth line. The Hetton and Springwell wagonways also used this gauge. Stephenson's Stockton and Darlington railway (S&DR) was built primarily to transport coal from mines near Shildon to the port at Stockton-on-Tees . Opening in 1825,

3354-581: The colonies. Parts of the United States, mainly in the Northeast, adopted the same gauge, because some early trains were purchased from Britain. The American gauges converged, as the advantages of equipment interchange became increasingly apparent. Notably, all the 5 ft ( 1,524 mm ) broad gauge track in the South was converted to "almost standard" gauge 4 ft 9 in ( 1,448 mm ) over

3440-459: The course of two days beginning on 31 May 1886. See Track gauge in the United States . In continental Europe, France and Belgium adopted a 1,500 mm ( 4 ft  11 + 1 ⁄ 16  in ) gauge (measured between the midpoints of each rail's profile ) for their early railways. The gauge between the interior edges of the rails (the measurement adopted from 1844) differed slightly between countries, and even between networks within

3526-634: The edges. Chemical sealants are often used on tiles to improve durability and appearance, increase stain resistance, reduce efflorescence , and increase or reduce surface smoothness. Tiles are often sold gauged, meaning that the back surface is ground for ease of installation. Slate flooring can be slippery when used in external locations subject to rain. Slate tiles were used in 19th century UK building construction (apart from roofs) and in slate quarrying areas such as Blaenau Ffestiniog and Bethesda , Wales there are still many buildings wholly constructed of slate. Slates can also be set into walls to provide

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3612-735: The first railways to the 5 ft 3 in ( 1,600 mm ) Irish broad gauge. New South Wales then built to the standard gauge, so trains had to stop on the border and passengers transferred, which was only rectified in the 1960s. Queensland still runs on a narrow gauge but there is a standard gauge line from NSW to Brisbane. NMBS/SNCB 3,619 km (2,249 mi) Brussels Metro 40 km (25 mi) Trams in Brussels 140 km (87 mi) 1,032 km (641 mi) The Toronto Transit Commission uses 4 ft  10 + 7 ⁄ 8  in ( 1,495 mm ) gauge on its streetcar and subway lines. Takoradi to Sekondi Route,

3698-512: The foliation with a specialized tool in the quarry, many slates display a property called fissility , forming smooth, flat sheets of stone which have long been used for roofing , floor tiles, and other purposes. Slate is frequently grey in color, especially when seen en masse covering roofs. However, slate occurs in a variety of colors even from a single locality; for example, slate from North Wales can be found in many shades of grey, from pale to dark, and may also be purple, green, or cyan. Slate

3784-508: The following passenger stock:- Some twenty vehicles survive, including twelve on the Chemin de fer du Vivarais and four on the CF du Velay. Vehicles with a "f" in their numbers were equipped with a vacuum brake . Non braked vehicles were through piped. Some twenty vehicles have been preserved, mostly vans. They can be found on the CF Blanc-Argent, CFBS, ACFCdN and MTVS. Six of the inspection cars have been preserved, including No.3 on

3870-429: The initial gauge of 4 ft 8 in ( 1,422 mm ) was set to accommodate the existing gauge of hundreds of horse-drawn chaldron wagons that were already in use on the wagonways in the mines. The railway used this gauge for 15 years before a change was made, debuting around 1850, to the 1,435 mm ( 4 ft  8 + 1 ⁄ 2  in ) gauge. The historic Mount Washington Cog Railway ,

3956-534: The inner sides of the rails) to be used. Different railways used different gauges, and where rails of different gauge met – a " gauge break " – loads had to be unloaded from one set of rail cars and reloaded onto another, a time-consuming and expensive process. The result was the adoption throughout a large part of the world of a "standard gauge" of 1,435 mm ( 4 ft  8 + 1 ⁄ 2  in ), allowing interconnectivity and interoperability. A popular legend that has circulated since at least 1937 traces

4042-400: The inside edges of the rails is defined to be 1,435 mm except in the United States, Canada, and on some heritage British lines, where it is defined in U.S. customary / Imperial units as exactly "four feet eight and one half inches", which is equivalent to 1,435.1   mm. As railways developed and expanded, one of the key issues was the track gauge (the distance, or width, between

4128-524: The late 19th and early 20th centuries, where the slate is usually dark purple to blackish, and many local structures are roofed with slate tiles. The roof of St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City and the headstone of John F. Kennedy 's gravesite in Arlington National Cemetery are both made of Monson slate. Standard gauge A standard-gauge railway is a railway with

4214-636: The line initially ran parallel to the Morlaix and Guingamp lines before climbing and heading east when the other two line curved away to the left. The line crossed the D20 road then followed the D49 road. Trébrivan - Le Moustoir Halte (6.5 km (4.0 mi)) was the first stop, followed by Maël Carhaix (12 km (7.5 mi)). On leaving Maël Carhaix, the line followed the D23 road. La Croix Madelaine Halte (17.3 km (10.7 mi))

4300-569: The line. They met near Lancerf, where an arrangement had to be arranged to allow the metre gauge track to switch sides. This was known as the Sauterelle (English: Grasshopper ), the term being a corruption of saut rail (English: to jump the rails ). The sauterelle had to be approached slowly. In 1953, the metre gauge rail was removed between Guingamp and Paimpol, the line operating as standard gauge since then. The metre gauge line between Carhaix and Guingamp closed on 14 February 1967, re-opening as

4386-579: The metre gauge line to standard gauge between Carhaix and Guingamp was completed on 3 July 1967. The RB was not much affected by the First World War , although some equipment was requisitioned. During the Second World War , the line was sabotaged by the Resistance . These incidents are recorded:- The RB had no major accidents. The majority of accidents being collisions with road vehicles at level crossings. A British Thomson-Houston diesel locomotive

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4472-446: The mid-19th century, the terms "slate", " shale ", and " schist " were not sharply distinguished. In the context of underground coal mining in the United States, the term slate was commonly used to refer to shale well into the 20th century. For example, roof slate referred to shale above a coal seam , and draw slate referred to shale that fell from the mine roof as the coal was removed. The British Geological Survey recommends that

4558-561: The network a total length of 428 kilometres (266 mi) of metre gauge line. The lines closed to passengers in 1939, but with the replacement buses being requisitioned at the outbreak of the Second World War the passenger service was resumed, with a couple of trips daily on each line. The RB saw an increase in freight traffic, being used to transport materials for the Atlantic Wall . After the war, passenger services were gradually withdrawn, and all metre gauge lines closed on 9 April 1967 with

4644-499: The origin of the 1,435 mm ( 4 ft  8 + 1 ⁄ 2  in ) gauge even further back than the coalfields of northern England, pointing to the evidence of rutted roads marked by chariot wheels dating from the Roman Empire . Snopes categorised this legend as "false", but commented that it "is perhaps more fairly labeled as 'Partly true, but for trivial and unremarkable reasons. ' " The historical tendency to place

4730-405: The outermost portions of the wheel rims, it became apparent that for vehicles travelling on rails, having main wheel flanges that fit inside the rails is better, thus the minimum distance between the wheels (and, by extension, the inside faces of the rail heads ) was the important one. A standard gauge for horse railways never existed, but rough groupings were used; in the north of England none

4816-688: The port at Gouarec. Bon Repos Halte (37.7 km (23.4 mi)) and Saint Gelven Halte (41.8 km (26.0 mi)) were followed by Caurel (45.7 km (28.4 mi)). Here, the railway ran high above the Lac de Guerlédan . At Mûr de Bretagne (50.7 km (31.5 mi)), a branch served a quarry. After closure, the section of trackbed between Caurel and Mûr de Bretagne was used for the short-lived 5 km (3.1 mi) long Réseau Guerlédan , which opened on 2 July 1978. The next stations were St Guen (55.3 km (34.4 mi)) and St Caradec (64.6 km (40.1 mi)). Loudéac station (71.2 km (44.2 mi))

4902-682: The railway joined the Aulne, running along its east bank to Châteaulin Ville station 54.4 km (33.8 mi)), which was shared with the CF PO. Châteaulin Ville was on the CF PO Quimper - Landernau line. Leaving Châteaulin Ville, the RB line crossed the Aulne on a curving eleven-arch viaduct before Châteaulin Embranchement station 56.9 km (35.4 mi)) was reached. Here, the goods facilities were separated from

4988-411: The rest of the network. All other railways use 1,668 mm ( 5 ft  5 + 21 ⁄ 32  in ) ( broad gauge ) and/or 1,000 mm ( 3 ft  3 + 3 ⁄ 8  in ) metre gauge . BLS , Rigi Railways (rack railway) 449 km Several states in the United States had laws requiring road vehicles to have a consistent gauge to allow them to follow ruts in

5074-458: The section between Carhaix - Paimpol having been converted to dual gauge in 1924 and converted to standard gauge in 1953, and Carhaix - Guingamp, closed in February 1967 for conversion to standard gauge later in 1967, remaining open. The metre gauge lines of the RB were:- The 49-kilometre (30 mi) line from Carhaix to Morlaix opened on 28 September 1891. Carhaix station was the headquarters of

5160-768: The slate from Wales and Cumbria is colored slate (non-blue): purple and formerly green in Wales and green in Cumbria. In North America, slate is produced in Newfoundland , eastern Pennsylvania , Buckingham County, Virginia , and the Slate Valley region in Vermont and New York , where colored slate is mined in the Granville, New York , area. A major slating operation existed in Monson, Maine , during

5246-732: The slate industry there. Lesser slate-producing regions in present-day Europe include Wales (with UNESCO landscape status and a museum at Llanberis ), Cornwall (famously the village of Delabole ), Cumbria (see Burlington Slate Quarries , Honister Slate Mine and Skiddaw Slate ) and, formerly in the West Highlands of Scotland, around Ballachulish and the Slate Islands in the United Kingdom . Parts of France ( Anjou , Loire Valley , Ardennes , Brittany , Savoie ) and Belgium (Ardennes), Liguria in northern Italy , especially between

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5332-544: The slate is totally dominated by these pervasive cleavage planes. Under a microscope, the slate is found to consist of very thin lenses of quartz and feldspar (QF-domains) separated by layers of mica (M-domains). These are typically less than 100 μm (micron) thick. Because slate was formed in low heat and pressure, compared to most other metamorphic rocks, some fossils can be found in slate; sometimes even microscopic remains of delicate organisms can be found in slate. The process of conversion of mudrock to slate involves

5418-512: The station lay between two places. Leaving Carhaix, the railway shared the trackbed with the line to Guingamp until it curved to the left and crossed the D787 road. The first station was Plounézéval Halte, (5.6 km (3.5 mi)). The halt actually stood in Le Frostel, some 2.5 km (1.6 mi) from Plounézéval. Pouallaouen (10.8 km (6.7 mi)) was the next station. The Ulne was crossed on

5504-429: The term "narrow gauge" for gauges less than standard did not arise for many years, until the first such locomotive-hauled passenger railway, the Ffestiniog Railway , was built. In 1845, in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland , a Royal Commission on Railway Gauges reported in favour of a standard gauge. The subsequent Gauge Act ruled that new passenger-carrying railways in Great Britain should be built to

5590-415: The term "slate" be used in scientific writings only when very little else is known about the rock that would allow a more definite classification. For example, if the characteristics of the rock show definitely that it was formed by metamorphosis of shale, it should be described in scientific writings as a metashale. If its origin is uncertain, but the rock is known to be rich in mica, it should be described as

5676-451: The town of Lavagna (whose name is inherited as the term for chalkboard in Italian ) and Fontanabuona valley; Portugal especially around Valongo in the north of the country. Germany 's Moselle River region, Hunsrück (with a former mine open as a museum at Fell ), Eifel , Westerwald , Thuringia and north Bavaria ; and Alta , Norway (actually schist , not a true slate). Some of

5762-626: The war, some 2-8-0 locomotives by Baldwin and Alco were acquired. In 1956, some 4-6-0 locomotive are acquired from the CF PO, and in 1958, some 2-8-2 locomotives by Fives-Lille are leased. These are used until the end of steam in 1971. This article has been compiled with information translated from the French article on the RB. Slate Slate is a fine-grained, foliated , homogeneous, metamorphic rock derived from an original shale -type sedimentary rock composed of clay or volcanic ash through low-grade, regional metamorphism . It

5848-434: The wheels of horse-drawn vehicles around 5 ft ( 1,524 mm ) apart probably derives from the width needed to fit a carthorse in between the shafts. Research, however, has been undertaken to support the hypothesis that "the origin of the standard gauge of the railway might result from an interval of wheel ruts of prehistoric ancient carriages". In addition, while road-travelling vehicles are typically measured from

5934-426: The world's first mountain -climbing rack railway , is still in operation in the 21st century, and has used the earlier 4 ft 8 in ( 1,422 mm ) gauge since its inauguration in 1868. George Stephenson introduced the 1,435 mm ( 4 ft  8 + 1 ⁄ 2  in ) gauge (including a belated extra 1 ⁄ 2  in (13 mm) of free movement to reduce binding on curves ) for

6020-412: Was Perros-St Fiacre 99.4 km (61.8 mi)), which was the junction for the 3.6 km (2.2 mi)) branch to Le Fret, 103 km (64 mi)) from Carhaix. The main line continued to Penfrat Halte 102.7 km (63.8 mi)) before terminating at Camaret-sur-Mer, 105 km (65 mi)) from Carhaix. The line between Pont-l'Abbé and Saint-Guénolé, built to metre gauge, had been opened by

6106-459: Was about (5 km (3.1 mi)) from Scrignac and Berrien. Kermarzin (27 km (17 mi)) and Le Cloître-Lannéanou (32.8 km (20.4 mi)) stations were followed by the summit of the line (over 210 metres (690 ft)) before Ploungonven-Plourin (39.5 km (24.5 mi)) was reached. At Morlaix the line was shared with the CF de l'Ouest's standard gauge dual gauge line between Paris and Brest . A dual gauge section of track

6192-433: Was completed in 1865. The CF PO built a line from Quimper to Châteaulin and Landerneau , where it connected with the CF PO. This line was completed in 1867. The CF PO built a line from Auray to Pontivy , which was completed in 1864. In 1872, the CF de l'Ouest built a line from Saint Brieuc to Pontivy, where it connected with the CF PO line. These lines left central Brittany an area devoid of railways, and served only by

6278-411: Was extended a further 37 km (23 mi) to Paimpol on 14 August 1894. The line between Guingamp and Paimpol was converted to dual gauge in the early 1920s with the addition of a third rail for standard gauge traffic. The standard gauge line opened to traffic on 24 May 1924. When the extra rail was added, gangs started from each end of the line, laying the extra rail to the left as they were facing

6364-439: Was followed by Laurenan (94.7 km (58.8 mi)), Merdrignac (104 km (65 mi)) and Trémorel (113.95 km (70.81 mi)) stations. After Loscouet Halte (116.9 km (72.6 mi)), the CF de l'Ouest's La Brohinière - Ploërmel line was crossed on the level before St Meén station (122.7 km (76.2 mi)) was reached. The RB then ran parallel to the CF de l'Ouest. Le Crouais Halte (126.6 km (78.7 mi))

6450-493: Was followed by Rostrenen (21.5 km (13.4 mi)). Rostrenen was the terminus of the CdN line from Saint-Nicolas-du-Pélem, the Cdn station was adjacent to the RB station. Plouguernével (27.2 km (16.9 mi)) was the next station. The Blavet was crossed by a steel girder bridge before Gouarec station (33.6 km (20.9 mi)) was reached. A branch was opened on 1 June 1912 serving

6536-673: Was followed by the terminus at La Brohinière (129.3 km (80.3 mi)), where there was a connection with the CF de l'Ouest's Paris - Brest line. The 109-kilometre (68 mi) line from Carhaix to Camaret opened in stages between 1893 and 1925, bringing the total extent of the RB to 428 km (266 mi). Carhaix - Pleyben opened on 30 August 1904. Pleyben - Châteaulin Ville opened on 4 August 1906. Châteaulin Ville - Châteaulin Gare opened on 11 August 1907. Châteaulin Gare - Crozon-Morgat opened on 13 August 1923. Crozon-Morgat - Camaret and Le Fret opened on 14 June 1925. Châteaulin Gare station had

6622-589: Was laid on the up line on the viaduct across the harbour. This was built by the CF de l'Ouest as part of their Paris - Brest line. The viaduct crossed the Chemins de fer armoricains (CFA) Morlaix - Plestin-les-Grèves line. A platform at Morlaix was shared with the standard gauge. A branch was opened on 12 February 1906 to serve the port at Morlaix. Freight traffic beyond Plougonver ceased from 25 September 1962. The line between Carhaix and Morlaix closed completely on 9 April 1967. The 53-kilometre (33 mi) line from Carhaix to Guingamp opened on 24 September 1893, and

6708-768: Was less than 4 ft ( 1,219 mm ). Wylam colliery's system, built before 1763, was 5 ft ( 1,524 mm ), as was John Blenkinsop 's Middleton Railway ; the old 4 ft ( 1,219 mm ) plateway was relaid to 5 ft ( 1,524 mm ) so that Blenkinsop's engine could be used. Others were 4 ft 4 in ( 1,321 mm ) (in Beamish ) or 4 ft  7 + 1 ⁄ 2  in ( 1,410 mm ) (in Bigges Main (in Wallsend ), Kenton , and Coxlodge ). English railway pioneer George Stephenson spent much of his early engineering career working for

6794-805: Was reached. Rosporden station had a connection with the standard gauge Chemin de fer de Paris à Orléans (CF PO) Savernay - Landerneau line and there was an end-on junction with the CFA Rosporden - Landivisiau line. The almost 130-kilometre (81 mi) long line from Carhaix to La Brohinière opened in sections between 1898 and 1904. Carhaix - Rostrenen opened on 15 May 1898. Rostrenen - St. Lubin-le-Vaublanc opened on 17 August 1904. St. Lubin-le-Vaublanc - Loudéac opened on 1 October 1904. Loudéac - La Brohinière opened on 12 August 1907. The line between Loudéac and La Brohinière closed to passengers in October 1953. The line closed entirely on 9 April 1967. Leaving Carhaix,

6880-589: Was reported to have said that if he had had a second chance to choose a gauge, he would have chosen one wider than 4 ft  8 + 1 ⁄ 2  in ( 1,435 mm ). "I would take a few inches more, but a very few". During the " gauge war " with the Great Western Railway , standard gauge was called " narrow gauge ", in contrast to the Great Western's 7 ft  1 ⁄ 4  in ( 2,140 mm ) broad gauge . The modern use of

6966-611: Was shared with the CF de l'Ouest, lying on that company's St Brieuc - Pontivy line. The CdN line from Plémy also terminated at Loudéac. Full facilities were provided here, the turntable being a dual gauge one, shared with the CF de l'Ouest. Leaving Loudéac, the line crossed the standard gauge CF de l'Ouest line on the level. Ganland Halte (76.5 km (47.5 mi)) was followed by La Chèze St Barnabé (80.5 km (50.0 mi)), Plémet La Prénassaye (85.1 km (52.9 mi)) and St Lubin le Vaublanc (87.4 km (54.3 mi)) stations. Le Carguier Halte (91.2 km (56.7 mi))

7052-423: Was the Canal de Nantes à Brest , started in 1811 and completed in 1842. Although the canal could carry high volumes of freight, it was slow, relying on horse-drawn barges. The first standard gauge railways in Brittany were the Chemin de fer de Paris à Orléans (CF PO) line from Paris to Quimper , which was completed in 1863 and the Chemins de fer de l'Ouest (CF de l'Ouest) line from Paris to Brest , which

7138-577: Was the next station. It was (1.5 kilometres (0.9 mi)) from the town. Gourin station (20 km (12 mi)) was also the terminus of the Chemins de fer du Morbihan (CM) line to Meslan , although there was no direct link here between the two networks. Kerbiquet (25.5 km (15.8 mi)) was the next station, then Guiscriff (31.6 km (19.6 mi)), Scaër (37.1 km (23.1 mi)) and Coatloc'h (42.1 km (26.2 mi)) stations were followed by Kerneval Halte (46.3 km (28.8 mi)) before Rosporden station (49.75 km (30.91 mi))

7224-424: Was trialled on the RB, having previously been tested on the CF du Vivarais. Despite being given a more powerful engine, it was not a success. In 1948, a Renault railcar with a 600 horsepower (450 kW) engine that had been destined for French Indo-China was tested on the RB for six months before being exported to Cameroon . In 1951, two Floirat railcars were tested on the RB before being exported. The RB had

7310-460: Was used by earlier cultures as whetstone to hone knives, but whetstones are nowadays more typically made of quartz. In 18th- and 19th-century schools, slate was extensively used for blackboards and individual writing slates , for which slate or chalk pencils were used. In modern homes slate is often used as table coasters. In areas where it is available, high-quality slate is used for tombstones and commemorative tablets. In some cases slate

7396-478: Was used by the ancient Maya civilization to fashion stelae . Slate was the traditional material of choice for black Go stones in Japan, alongside clamshell for white stones. It is now considered to be a luxury. Pennsylvania slate is widely used in the manufacture of turkey calls used for hunting turkeys. The tones produced from the slate, when scratched with various species of wood striker, imitates almost exactly

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