BVZ Zermatt-Bahn
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BVZ Zermatt-Bahn is a narrow gauge railway in the Canton of Wallis, Switzerland. Its gauge is 1 m (3 ft 33⁄8 in). The line runs from Brig, to Visp, to Täsch and on to Zermatt. It is the most important transportation in Zermatt because cars are not allowed in Zermatt.
Construction began in 1888 and the route between Visp and Zermatt opened in 1891 as VZ Visp - Zermatt - Bahn. It was operated during the summer months only. In 1930, the track was extended to Brig and the company changed its name to BVZ Brig - Visp - Zermatt - Bahn. It is part of the Glacier Express between Zermatt and St. Moritz. The road to Zermatt was closed in 1931 and was replaced by rail. In 1933, the railway began operating all year round.
In 1991, a landslide affected roads and the railway tracks in Randa. The railway was closed for 105 days. The name was changed to BVZ Zermatt-Bahn. On January 1, 2003, it merged with Furka-Oberalp-Bahn (FO) into the present-day Matterhorn-Gotthard-Bahn (MGB).
The Gornergratbahn (which was opened in 1898) continues out of Zermatt and is connected to the MGB. The MGB is also the largest shareholder in the Gornergratbahn.
