in Melle, which ceased in January 1991. In 2011, only the Niort - Prahecq section remained. The formal dates of closure were: Chef-Boutonne to Paizay-Naudoin (PK 49,790 to 60,900): November 12, 1954 Paizay-Naudoin to Ruffec (PK 60,900 to 76,500): May 24, 1960 Melle to Chef-Boutonne (PK 27,290 to 49,790): January 29, 1979 Prahecq to Melle (PK 5,350 to 27,290): November 10, 1993 Locomotives and rolling stock Types of locomotives used on the line included: Compagnie des Charentes 120 series 2000 until 1929 121B from 1900 to 1938 030-100 from 1914 141 from 1920 to 1936 220B-500 from 1930 230G-800 from 1940s to 1957 140C from 1913 131T from 1955 BB 63000 from 1964 Infrastructure Five stations were proposed when the line was built: Tauche Mougon Celles Melle Brioux sur Boutonne Chef-Boutonne Continued use of the route From 1987, an arboretum and botanic gardens were created on the trackbed though Melle, with more than 1000 species of plants. In 1999, the 14.8 km section between Tauche, Mougon and Melle was converted into a walking, cycling and horse riding route, known as the 'Ruban Vert'. References Railway lines in France