Montreux-Oberland Bernois

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MOB train at Les Avants on 11 July 1985.

The MOB railway, Compagnie du chemin de fer Montreux-Oberland bernois, located in southwest Switzerland,is one of the oldest electric railways in Switzerland; its main line, 62.4 km in length, built to 1,000 mm (3 ft 3⅜ in) gauge, connects Montreux, Gstaad and Zweisimmen where passengers can transfer to the standard-gauge Bern-Lötschberg-Simplon railway. There is also a 12.9 km. long branch line from Zweisimmen to Lenk.

[edit] History

The line was opened in stages, the first, from Montreux to Les Avants (10.9 km) on December 17, 1901 followed by the Les Avants to Montbovon (11.2 km) section on October 1, 1903. The next stages from Montbovon to Chateau d'Oex (10.6 km) and then Gstaad (13.1 km) followed on August 19, 1904 and December 20, 1904 respectively, the final 16.6 km of the line reaching Zweisimmen on July 6, 1912.

For the MOB, Zweisimmen is the terminus station; the branch line to Lenk continues in the opposite direction. Because of its poor state of repair, this line was closed on June 14, 1975, however, it was fully modernized between 1977 and 1979, having new tracks and overhead lines, reopening on September 27, 1979. New rolling stock was purchased (* in the list below) to operate this line together with the weekdays school service from Zweisimmen and Saanen. Since reopening it has been included in the regular operating schedule of the MOB with timetabled connections to the main line services.

From the very start the MOB had the character of a mainline railway and, at an early stage, through trains with dining and saloon coaches were introduced. The creation of the Golden Mountain Pullman Express in 1931, unfortunately at a time of world economic crisis accounted for its lack of success. The saloon coaches 103-106 built for this train by Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits (CIWLT) were sold to the Rhaetian Railway in 1939, where they are still in use (As 1141-44). The modern successor of this luxury train is the Golden Pass Panoramic Express, which for the past few years has aroused growing enthusiasm. Several of the original coaches have been restored by the MOB and are used for special services in the summer months.

While passenger traffic boomed, freight traffic diminshed over the years. 2006 saw the demise of cement transport from Montreux to Saanen and transport of standard gauge wagons on transporter bogies from Zweisimmen to any station till Lenk and Rougemont. By the end of the year the MOB was without any freight traffic, however in Spring 2007 the MOB purchased nine gravel wagons and two locomotives from the Transports Publics Fribourgeois (TPF). Now the MOB operates this transport from Grandvillard (on the TPF line) to Saanen.

[edit] Routes

The MOB begins its journey in Montreux, departing trains normally making use of platform 5 and arrivals platform 6, between the Swiss Federal Railway platforms and those of the rack and pinion railway to the Rochers de Naye. Winding its way up through the vineyards above Lake Geneva via Chamby, as far as Les Avants, the line passes through the crown tunnel under the Col de Jaman to reach the Saane Valley. In Montbovon there is a connection to the TPF (previously GFM) network. Following the Saane upstream, passing the famous hot-air ballooning centre of Château-d'Oex, it leaves the French-speaking Canton of Vaud near Rougemont and enters the German-speaking Canton of Bern. After Saanen the planners would have liked a direct ascent of the Sannenmöser Pass but without the aid of a rack and pinion system this was impossible and the line was diverted through and to loop around the village of Gstaad, adding greatly to the development and prosperity of the community. Beyond Gstaad railway station it begins the climb to the head of Saanenmöser Pass, the highest point on the line. On the other side it descends the Simmen Valley to Zweisimmen, where there is a connection to the standard gauge line of the BLS to Spiez.

[edit] Timetables and Train Formations

Golden Pass Panoramic trains, with VIP seating (domed end cars), depart Montreux at 09h45, 13h45 and 17h45 (Train Nos 3116, 3124 and 2134) and return from Zweisimmen at 10h26, 14h26 and 16h26 (Train Nos 3121, 3129 and 2131). They are made up in the following formation and operate in the "Push-Pull" mode :

• Ast / Brs / As / Locomotive / BDs / Bs* / Arst* : This is the length limit of the train due to platform lengths. Trains may be shorter off-season and there is only one consist for trains 3116/3129 from December to April.

Golden Pass Panoramic passing near Rougemont during centennial celebration on 29 May 2004

Ast 116 and Brs 228 at the head of a Montreux-bound train in Zweisimmen on 23 June 2004

Arst 152 at the end of the same train

Original Crystal Panormaic livery of Arst 151-152 and As 153-154, now Bs 251-252. Zweisimmen, 17 July 1993

There are other Golden Pass trains without VIP seating (Dome end cars) and these depart Montreux at 10h45 and 15h45 (Trains 2222 and 2128) and from Zweisimmen at 08h26 and 13h05 (Trains 2119 and 2227). These trains are locomotive hauled and utilise stock not required for the trains with VIP seating. The formation, which is flexible, is usually as follows :

• Locomotive / As / As / BDs / Bs / Bs : Off-season there are two trains of this formation and they also cover trains 3124, 2134, 3121 and 2131.

Golden Pass Panoramic with a blue/cream coach replacing a panoramic coach, 27 July 2006 above Zweisimmen

The very first panoramic coach, As 110 of 1976, still in its original livery which it maintained until May 2008 photographed on 25 June 2004 in Zweisimmen

Golden Pass Classic trains operate daily departing Montreux at 08h45 and 14h45 (Trains 2216 and 2228), returning from Zweisimmen at 12h26 and 18h26 (Trains 2127 and 2133) and are made up in the following formation :

• Locomotive / As / As / Brs / Bs / Non-Classic Type BD (to provide cycle / luggage space)

MOB GDe 4/4 6002 with Golden Pass Classic in Zweisimmen, 2005-05-06

MOB As 107 and 103 after arrival of the Golden Pass Classic in Montreux

Detail of GDe 4/4 6002

The Golden Pass "Chocolate Train" operates in June, September and October every Monday, Wednesday and Friday and in July and August Monday's to Friday's, departing Montreux at 09h36 (Train 2118) and returning there at 17h52 (Train 2129). It is made up in the following formation :

• Locomotive / Belle Epoque Ars / Belle Epoque As / Other vehicles as required

Other trains Montreux - Zweisimmen may be pulled by a Ge 4/4, GDe 4/4 or an ABDe 8/8 and they can have up to five coaches.

Apart from the through trains between Montreux and Zweisimmen there are local services connecting Montreux to Fontanivent (Mon - Fri ), Chernex, Sonzier and Les Avants, operated by Be 2/6 7001-7004 and from Château-d'Oex or Saanen or Gstaad to Zweisimmen. The branch line from Zweisimmen to Lenk offers a regular service timetabled to connect into and out of the MOB main line services. These trains are operated by Be 4/4 5001-5004.

Regional train with ABDe 8/8 4004, AB 304, one B and two Ucek on 29 May 2004

Local service with ABt 343 - Be 4/4 5003 - Bt 243 on 29 May 2004 near Rougemont

MVR Be 2/6 7004 in Montreux local service on 6 May 2005

[edit] Locomotives and motor coaches

For decades the traffic on the MOB had been handled by electric motor coaches available in four-, six- and eight-axle designs. In 1983, four locomotives of the type GDe 4/4 were bought, to be followed in 1994 by four newer and more powerful Ge 4/4 locomotives from the same manufacturer. These are similar to the ones purchased by the RhB and BAM. Any of these locomotives can be seen working the principal trains.

In December 2006 the TPF gave over its freight operations to the SBB Cargo and its two GDe 4/4 locomotives became surplus to requirements. In April 2007 these were purchased by the MOB and have since been allocated numbers following on from those of their new owners.

The MOB is run with 900 V d.c., overhead contact and has gradients of up to 7.3 % (1 in 13.5).

Withdrawn and Preserved Items

MOB De 4/4 26, former BFZe 4/4, fast train motor coach from 1912, in use as club home in Saanen

MOB B 61 and Gk (ex-K) 529 in use as club home in Saanen, with activity of the centennial celebration in 2004

Note 1: Class Be 4/4 after rebuild operate as the centre-car (non driving motor) of a three-car set made up as Bt - BDe4/4 - ABt. The Bt vehicles are numbered 241 - 244 and the ABt vehicles 341 - 344.

Note 2: Class Be 2/6, No's 7001 to 7004, are listed under the stock owned by the Chemins de fer électriques Veveysans (CEV) but they also work short journeys over the MOB from Montreux to Fontanivent, Sonzier and Les Avents.

Abbreviations:

• ABB/BBC Asea-Brown-Boveri AG / AG Brown Boveri & Cie
• ACMV Ateliers de constructions mécaniques, Vevey
• SLM Swiss Loco and Machine Works, Winterthur
• SAAS SA des Ateliers de Sécheron, Geneva.
• SIG Schweizerische Industriegesellschaft, Neuhausen am Rheinfall
• SWS Schweizerische Wagons- und Aufzügefabrik, Schlieren ZH

[edit] Passenger Rolling Stock

The passenger carrying rolling stock can be divided into the categories: "Classic", "Panoramic", "Ordinary" and "Saanenland".

[edit] Classic stock

"Classic" stock are six Pullman type coaches, two from 1914 and four rebuilt in 2004-06 on structures from 1964. Details are as follows:

• Type Ars : Belle Epoque, First Class saloon built in 1914, No. 101. Along with As 102 this normally works as part of the "Chocolate Train" formation.
• Type As  : Belle Epoque, First Class saloon with 36 seats, built in 1914, No. 102. This coach served as prototype for the CIWL coaches and also for the rebuilds of 2004-06. Along with Ars 101 this is normally to be found in the "Chocolate Train" formation.
• Type As  : Pullman Saloon Car, First Class Nos. 103 and 107. Built in 1964 and rebuilt in 2004/05, Air Conditioned. No. 103 has 36 seats, No. 107 has 38.
• Type Brs : Second Class Pullman "Cave Car" (Buffet), No. 201. Built in 1964 and rebuilt in 2005 with air conditioning and seats for 47 passengers.
• Type Bs  : Second Class Pullman Saloon Car, No. 202. Built in 1964 and rebuilt in 2006 with air conditioning and seats for 47 passengers.

[edit] Panoramic stock

"Panoramic" stock is that used on the Golden Pass Panoramic services and includes the observation vehicles used at each end of train when the locomotive is centrally situated. Most "panoramic" coaching stock has been built by the former Biel-based coach work builder Ramseier+Jenzer. All coaches are air conditioned. These include:

• Type As  : First Class saloon coach, Nos. 110, 111, 112, 114, built 1976-83 and 118-119, built 1992-93. These coaches were originally seated 2+2 but since been changed to 1+2, reducing their seating capacity to 33. Coach No.110 was the last of these coaches to carry the dark blue and cream livery and have the 2+2 seating. It entered Chernex workshops in early May 2008 for rebuilding and will return to service in the summer.
• Type Ast : First Class Observation Car, Nos. 116 (named Lausanne) and 117 (named Château-d'Oex), built 1985-86. These vehicles have 8 seats in the "Observation Dome", now facing Montreux.
• Type Arst: First Class Observation Car, Nos., 151 and 152, built in 1993 by Breda. With a seating capacity of 27 plus 8 seats within the "Observation Dome", now facing Zweisimmen.
• Type Bs  : Second Class saloon, Nos. 251 and 252, built in 1993 by Breda as As 153-154. With a seating capacity of 48. These coaches were nearly identical to those delivered to FO and BVZ, now Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn (MGB).
• Type Bs : Second Class saloon, Nos. 222, 223, built 1982 and 226, 227 built 1989.
• Type BDs : Second Class saloon with disabled compartment and wheelchair lift, Nos. 220, 224 to 225, built 1979-83, rebuilt 2001-02.
• Type Brs : Second Class buffet, Nos. 221 and 228, built 1979 and 1985 (as Ars 115) and rebuilt 1987/95.

[edit] Ordinary stock

The "Ordinary" stock is used on all services not operated by the Panoramic and Classic coaches. These are painted in a light blue and cream livery and can be hauled by locomotives or railcars. They also include driving trailers (Voiture pilote). These comprise of:

• Type ABt : Driving Trailer Composite, Nos. 5301 to 5304
• Type ABDt: Driving Trailer Composite with guards/luggage compartment, No. 3301 (At April 2008 working with 3001 in Engineers Dept. use).
• Type A  : First Class saloon, Nos. 105 and 106
• Type AB  : First/Second Composite, Nos. 303 to 308
• Type B  : Second Class saloon, No. 207, "Marmotte Paradis" (Rochers de Naye) Livery.
• Type B  : Second Class saloon, No. 208, Painted in a special livery depicting road transport from the stagecoach to the early motor car. Lettered "Saanenland - Enhaut".
• Type B  : Second Class saloon, Nos. 203, 209 to 213 and 215 to 218.
• Type B  : Second Class saloon, No. 214. Painted in a white livery advertising KPT, the insurers of the MOB.
• Type BD  : Second Class saloon with guards/parcels compartment, Nos. 204 to 206
• Type BD  : Short, Single Second Class saloon with guards/parcels compartment, Nos. 32 and 33.
• Type D  : Short length, Guards / Parcels / Cycle vehicle, No. 31

[edit] Saanenland stock

"Saanenland" stock is specially liveried for work over the Zweissimmen to Lenk line and local services between Zweissimmen and Saanen. The stock works in conjunction with motor vehicles of type Be 4/4, Nos. 5001-4 and these sets are usually worked as fixed formations of Bt-Be 4/4-ABt, the first being ready in 2004 was 243-5003-343. 244-5004-344 followed in 2006 and 242-5002-342 is expected for 2008. The driving trailers that replaced ABt 5301-04 are:

• Type Bt : Second class driving trailer, Nos. 241 to 244.
• Type ABt: First / Second Composite driving trailer, Nos. 341 to 344.

x43 and x44 were built by Ramseier+Jenzer and fitted with SIG-type bogies, x41 and x42 are built by Raility, the successor company of R+J, and will get Alstom Centro 1000 bogies with air suspension.

[edit] New Stock on Order

On 22 June 2007 the MOB gave details to the press that it had placed orders with Raility of Biel for 8 new air conditioned coaches with large panoramic windows and low floor access and seating. The coaches will have standard level seating towards the vestibule ends with a central section of low floor seating and containing the access doors which will assist those with restricted mobility. They will also contain handicapped accessible toilets. The coaches will be fitted with a new type of bogie "Centro 1000" incorporating air suspension, produced by Alstom. The first of these is expected to be delivered to Chernex in Autumn 2008, the order being completed by the end of 2010. Four of the new coaches will be put between the two halves of ABDe 8/8 4001-4004, forming three-car-EMUs.

(Source : MOB/Raility press release)

Coordinates: 46°26′8″N, 6°54′40″E