Chemin de fer Montreux-Glion-Rochers-de-Naye
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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 7½ in), which links the places mentioned in its title.
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[edit] History
The line, as we know it today, 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 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).
[edit] The Line
The railway from Montreux, which departs from platform 8 of the main line 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. The workshops and depot are alongside the line as it leaves Glion the main shops accessed from a traverser off a side 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 long has a vertical climb on the Montreux - Glion section of 305 m, whilst that of the Glion - Rochers-de-Naye is 1273 m, giving a total of 1578 m.
Since 1st January 2001 the railway has been part of the MVR and is marketed under the Golden Pass Services' banner.
[edit] Locomotive and Railcars
Nowadays the line is home to two of its original three electric locomotives, both of class HGe2/2. They were built in 1909 by SLM / MFO. The locomotives are similar to those found working on the Schynige Platte Bahn and the Wengernalpbahn.
- No.1, was lost in an avalanche in 1966 and never replaced.
- No.2, is the nearest to being original but in 1986 it received a new old-style, but wider body.
- No.3, named Veytaux, was identical to Nos. 1 and 2 but received a new, modern body in 1976 and was renumbered 101. In 1998 it was numbered back to 3.
The locomotives are now only used for the snow plough, freight, work trains and occasional passenger specials using restored passenger vehicles.
For the first time in many years the line became home to a steam locomotive in 1992 when it took delivery of a "light oil" fired locomotive built by SLM and numbered 1. This was sold to the Brienz Rothorn Bahn in September 2003, becoming their No.16.
The line is also home to a "Kneeling Cow" diesel locomotive, class Hm 2/2, No.4, built by Bühler with a Caterpillar diesel engine in 1973 and delivered to the Brienz Rothorn Bahn where it became their No.8. Sold to the line in 1996 it kept the BRB name and nameplate "Brienz" on one side. Also on the line can be found an electric rotary snowplough, Class Xrot e 3, built in 1954 by RACO/ MFO and Beilhack of Rosenheim.
Passenger traffic is handled by railcars. On lighter traffic days and service times these are 42 - seat single units of class Beh 2/4. The class originally consisted of 8 members, No's.201 to 208, built by SLM and BBC, the first 5 being delivered in 1939, the others in 1949, 1949 and 1966 respectively. Today only No's 203, 204, 207 and 208 are still working, although 201 still survives out of service. In busier times there are four twin - units of class Bhe 4/8, built by SLM and Siemens, No's 301 - 303 being delivered in 1983 and No.304 in 1992. No. 301 carries the name Montreux, 304 La Tour de Pelzwhilst 302 and 303 carry distinctive special liveries, one advertising Marmot Paradis, the other Pere Noel (the visit of Santa to Rochers de Naye). These units have the capability of multiple operation, giving two four-car units.
[edit] Services
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.
[edit] Closures
In May 2008 the Montreux to Glion section of the line was closed so that work on the lining of the Tunnel de Valmont clould be carried out. It reopened on schedual on 2nd June ready for the summer season. During thuis closure the Glion to Caux and Rochers de Naye section had operated normally with the Montreux to Glion section being cover by a replacement bus service.
