As early as 1879, the Tournemire-Le Vigan line was part of a major project to open up Aveyron: linking Albi to Nîmes to reach Marseille and the Mediterranean coast.
After 11 years of gigantic work, the line was inaugurated in 1896. More than 60 kilometers of rails were laid, 16 viaducts were erected, 32 tunnels were drilled, 12 stations were built... not to mention kilometers of walls of support! At first, the passenger service was provided by 4 round trips daily, then two... then nothing: the line was closed to passengers in 1939.
In 1978, the State had plans to extend the Larzac military camp, at La Cavalerie. He bought the platform of the railway line between Tournemire and L'Hospitalet to rebuild the railway.
The struggle of farmers and peace movements is raging. A radical organization went so far as to blow up the Cayrelet viaduct.
In 1981, the extension project was definitively abandoned. The end of the work has sounded. In 1999, with the support of the military and all local elected officials, the railway found a very peaceful use: the Vélo Rail and the Tourist Train!
The activity started in 2001.