| Chemin de fer Montreux- Glion-Rochers-de-Naye |
|
|---|---|
| Technical | |
| Track gauge | 800 mm (2 ft 7 1⁄2 in) |
| Electrification | 850 V, DC, overhead line |
| Highest elevation | 1,578 m (5,177 ft) |
| Rack system | Abt |
The Chemin de fer Montreux - Glion - Rochers-de-Naye is an electrically operated rack and pinion railway in Switzerland, with a track gauge of 800 mm (2 ft 7 1⁄2 in), which links the places mentioned in its title.
Contents |
The line as it currently exists was built by two independent companies, the Chemin de fer Glion-Rochers-de-Naye (GN), which linked the two places in its title and opened in 1892, and the Chemin de fer Montreux-Glion (MGl), with which it made an end - on junction, and which opened in 1909. Prior to this opening in 1909 the GN line formed a cross -platform connection with the Chemin de fer funiculaire Territet-Glion, a feature which still operates today and forms part of the station at Glion. The line operates on 850 V DC with overhead electrical pick up. The line is built to a gauge of 800 mm (2 ft 7 1⁄2 in) and is totally a rack and pinion system based on that devised by Roman Abt.
In 1987 the two companies merged to form the Chemin de fer de Montreux–Glion–Rochers-de-Naye (MGN). Five years later, 1992, the Chemin de fer funiculaire Territet-Glion (TG) joined the club and the company changed its name to Chemin de fer Montreux–Territet–Glion–Rochers-de-Naye (MTGN). 2001 MTGN was merged into Transports Montreux-Vevey-Riviera (MVR).
The railway from Montreux, which departs from platform 8 of the main line Montreux railway station, begins to climb steeply almost as soon as it leaves the station and enters the first of many tunnels. The line changes direction by a series of minimum radius curves, views of Lake Geneva alternating from side to side, before reaching the station at Glion. This is the upper terminus of a funicular which commences opposite the main line railway station at Territet and which gave access to (the clean air of) Glion before the coming of the direct railway from Montreux in 1909. The workshops and depot are alongside the line as it leaves Glion, the main shops accessed from a traverser set off a loop line alongside the main line.
The line continues higher to the small village of Caux passing through Alpine meadows which, in the Springtime, are full of wild growing narcissus, forget-me-nots and others, before reaching its upper terminus at Rochers-de-Naye, the home of the Marmot Paradise, a centre where seven varieties of these small mammals can be seen in a natural environment. From here there are spectacular views over Lake Geneva and across to the French Alps, well worth the trip alone.
The line, which is 7.6 km (4.7 mi) long has a vertical climb on the Montreux - Glion section of 305 m (1,001 ft), whilst that of the Glion - Rochers-de-Naye is 1,273 m (4,177 ft), giving a total of 1,578 m (5,177 ft). Passing points are situated at Glion, Caux, Paccot and Jaman.
Since 1 January 2001 the railway has been part of the MVR and is marketed under the Golden Pass Services' banner.
| No. | Name | Class | Builders details | Date Built | Notes. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | HGe 2/2 | SLM/BBC/MFO | 1909 | Lost in Avalanche, 1966 | |
| 1 | H 2/3 | SLM | 1992 | Sold to BRB 2005, becoming their No.16 | |
| 2 | HGe 2/2 | SLM/BBC/MFO | 1909 | Fitted with a new "old style" wider body in 1986 | |
| 3 | Veytaux (e) | HGe 2/2 | SLM/BBC/MFO | 1909 | Received new modern body in 1976, renumbered 101. In 1998 returned to No.3. Semi-permanently coupled to snowplough. Destroyed in accident September 8 2011 |
| 4 | Brienz | Hm 2/2 | Buhler/Caterpillar | 1973 | New to BRB, No.8, sold to MGN, 1996. To Chernex 15.4.2009 for overhaul with some rebuilding inc larger engine bonnet, repaint in bright red livery, name removed, returned to service 7.09 |
| No. | Name | Class | Builders details | Date Built | Notes. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 201 | Bhe 2/4 | SLM/BBC | 1939 | ex ABhe 2/4, out of service (Montreux), 4/2008
Scrapped March 2011 |
|
| 202 | Bhe 2/4 | SLM/BBC | 1939 | ex ABhe 2/4, wthdrawn scrapped April 2007 | |
| 203 | Bhe 2/4 | SLM/BBC | 1939 | ex ABhe 2/4 | |
| 204 | Bhe 2/4 | SLM/BBC | 1939 | ex ABhe 2/4 | |
| 205 | Bhe 2/4 | SLM/BBC | 1939 | ex ABhe 2/4, withdrawn scrapped April 2007 | |
| 206 | Bhe 2/4 | SLM/BBC | 1949 | ex ABhe 2/4, withdrawn scrapped July 2000 | |
| 207 | Bhe 2/4 | SLM/BBC | 1949 | ex ABeh 2/4 | |
| 208 | Bhe 2/4 | SLM/BBC | 1966 | ex ABhe 2/4, withdrawn scrapped April 2007 | |
| 301 | Montreux | Bhe 4/8 | SLM/Siemens | 1983 | (b) |
| 302 | Veytaux (e) | Bhe 4/8 | SLM/Siemens | 1983 | (b)(c) |
| 303 | Villeneuve | Bhe 4/8 | SLM/Siemens | 1983 | (b)(d) |
| 304 | La Tour de Peilz | Bhe 4/8 | SLM/Siemens | 1992 | (b) |
| 305 | Bhe 4/8 | MOB Chernex / Siemens | 2010 | (b)(f) Delivered to traffic w/c 30.11.10 |
Abbreviations.
| No. | Name | Class | Builders details | Date Built | Notes. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Xrote | RACO/MFO/Beilhack | 1954 | Electric rotary snowplough |
| Previous Company | No. | Class | Builders details | Seats | Date Built | Notes. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montreux-Glion | 2 | BC | Luzern, Company not known | 56 in 7 comp. | 1908 | Built for the opening of the line |
| Montreux-Glion | 1908 | Built for the opening ot the line | ||||
| Glion-Rochers de Naye | 16 | BC |
The line operates an hourly service in each direction; from Montreux, in the summer months to Rochers de Naye and at other times as far as Caux. The trains are timed to offer connections at Montreux with main line services of the SBB-CFF-FFS and MOB.
In May 2008 the Montreux to Glion section of the line was closed so that work on the lining of the Tunnel de Valmont could be carried out. It reopened on schedule on 2 June ready for the summer season. During this closure the Glion to Caux and Rochers de Naye section had operated normally with the Montreux to Glion section being covered by a replacement bus service.