FRENCH STEAM FESTIVAL - MAY 2023 [4]

The first public day of the festival - and the omens weren't good when the 08.30 special train rumbled into Provins an hour late. Arrival at Longueville showed that the tracks between the platform and the heritage lines in the yard were full of modern units - so a great 'viewing area' was blocked off. Never mind... to the roundhouse, where one or two engines were simmering; and the yard... where dozens of people in orange jackets were hanging around. Ah well, it all added to the local colour - especially bright orange.
My attention was taken by the 'Mountain' class 241 P 17 - a beautiful loco - and quite a contrast with 241 P 30, tucked away behind the shed, which will require a bit of work to restore it to running order.
I chugged up and down to Provins a couple of times behind a 2-8-0 (140 C 38) before watching the departure of the 'Mountain' topped and tailed with 141 R 840. A gaggle of orange jackets and the customary whistles and tones completed the picture.