The Vivarais railway preserves 149 wagons and locomotives, of which 35 are classed as "Monuments Historiques". Without doubt, the cream of this exceptional collection comprises the 6 "Mallet" type steam locomotives, dating from 1902 to 1932. Ideal for the narrow mountain tracks, these double chassis (articulating front and fixed rear) locomotives can follow tight curves (of 100 metre radius). Moreover, the steam initially feeds high-pressure cylinders, before activating low-pressure cylinders and this efficient use of energy propels these 48 tonne locomotives - pulling trains of 250 tonnes - up inclines of 1 in 50.

In his cabin the Stoker feeds the boiler with 1.2 tonnes of coal for the climb from Tournon to Lamastre (only 0.2 tonnes for the descent) and controls the water supply (6-8,000 litres for the climb and half of this for the descent). The Engine Driver controls the locomotive and checks the pressure as well as 50 greasing points before departure. It takes four hours of work to prepare a locomotive before heating the water to produce a head of steam. The 4 "Billard diesel railcars (often wrongly called "Michelines"), dating from the 1930s, were conceived for fast service on very light tracks. With motors of between 80 and 150 horsepower the railcars can achieve the impressive speed of 35 miles per hour!