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    The Alphonse Company A factory for drilling out needles’ eyes

    Jul 14, 2020 5 minutes
    Text and illustrations: Sylvain Costes

    François Fontana: Sylvain, tell us the fabulous story of the Alphonse Company.

    Sylvain Costes: The Alphonse Company is a small industry specialized in drilling out needles’ eyes. Located in the hills overlooking the valley of the Garonne, at the foot of the Pyrenees, the factory is served by a short 60cm gauge line, built in the late 1930s when the phylloxera of the rubber tree ruined the economy of rubber, therefore of tyres, consequently preventing the growth of the road vehicle industry.

    FF: If I remember correctly, this story of the phylloxera of the rubber tree was the fictional postulate upon which the Croisées de l’Étroit challenge was based?

    SC: Indeed, this fantasy meant that all types of transport had to be carried out by rail, due to the shortage of tyres. A kind of science-fiction for train lovers!

    FF: Sorry for interrupting you, but thanks for this confirmation.

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