Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
The “Viaduc du Viaur” (Viaur Viaduct) was the first large steel railway bridge built in France. The 220 meters long arch bridge was constructed in 1902. The single-track viaduct is located along the French railway line between Toulouse, Carmaux and Rodez. The Viaur Viaduct was the longest metallic arch span constructed up to that point in time.
French model maker and model railroad enthusiast Jean-Yves Page took on the challenge of rebuilding this steel bridge in miniature. His magnificent 5.60 meters long model railroad layout consists of four railway modules on a scale of 1/160 (N Scale or N Gauge). In his miniature world, the bridge has a length of 2.87 meters. All elements of the model train layout were made by hand according to plans: Bridge, buildings, lighting, trees, decorations and landscape.
One unique feature is that the model bridge is made of real metal. Jean-Yves Page also installed lighting inside the bridge to really show it off to its best advantage. Typical French railway vehicles, such as freight trains and passenger trains pulled by diesel locomotives, cross the bridge. A common sight in France is the railbus (“Autorail”), which crosses the bridge several times and stops at the little station.
*Pilentum Television*
pilentum.org
The “Viaduc du Viaur” (Viaur Viaduct) was the first large steel railway bridge built in France. The 220 meters long arch bridge was constructed in 1902. The single-track viaduct is located along the French railway line between Toulouse, Carmaux and Rodez. The Viaur Viaduct was the longest metallic arch span constructed up to that point in time.
French model maker and model railroad enthusiast Jean-Yves Page took on the challenge of rebuilding this steel bridge in miniature. His magnificent 5.60 meters long model railroad layout consists of four railway modules on a scale of 1/160 (N Scale or N Gauge). In his miniature world, the bridge has a length of 2.87 meters. All elements of the model train layout were made by hand according to plans: Bridge, buildings, lighting, trees, decorations and landscape.
One unique feature is that the model bridge is made of real metal. Jean-Yves Page also installed lighting inside the bridge to really show it off to its best advantage. Typical French railway vehicles, such as freight trains and passenger trains pulled by diesel locomotives, cross the bridge. A common sight in France is the railbus (“Autorail”), which crosses the bridge several times and stops at the little station.
*Pilentum Television*
pilentum.org
