Chemin de fer funiculaire Territet-Glion

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The Chemin de fer funiculaire Territet - Glion is a funicular in Switzerland, which runs from Territet to Glion, connecting at its upper terminus with what was the lower terminus of the Chemin de fer Glion-Rochers-de-Naye (GN) mountain railway, which opened in 1892. This later line was joined, in 1909, in an end on junction at Glion with the newly constructed Chemin de fer Montreux-Glion (MGl).

[edit] History

The line was opened in 1883 and built to metre - gauge with two separate and adjacent tracks which opened out to allow passing at the halfway point. The stations had two side (flanking) platforms.

In 1992 the company merged with Chemin de fer Montreux-Glion-Rochers-de-Naye, since 2001 they are part of Transports Montreux-Vevey-Riviera (MVR).

Up to the mid 1980's the railway operated by gravity alone: Both cars had a water tank under their decks and the one at the upper station was filled with water while the one at the lower station (Territet) was dumping its contents in the lake Leman. Once the fill-dump process and passenger boarding were complete the brakes were gradually released and since both cars were attached together with a cable-pulley arrangement, the heavier car descented the slope carrying up the lighter car. The process was then repeated so the car uphill was always filled and the one downhill always empty and thus pulled uphill when brakes were released. An added picturesque note was that the two car operators were communicating for synchronisation with whistles instead of an intercom or similar device. Eventually the system was abandoned and the train now uses electric traction.

With rebuilding the line adapted the more conventional approach in which only a single track is used, the two rails opening at the halfway point to form a passing loop. One platform in use at each stations, however the second platform which was originally used can still be seen.

The present two cars, painted in an all-over red livery, were built by Carrosserie Gangloff AG of Bern.

[edit] Services

The service, in each direction, commences at 05h25, then at 05h45 and every 15 minutes until 21h15, 21h45 and every 30 minutes until 23h15, 23h50, 00h20 and 00h45. On Saturday and Sunday mornings there is a service at 01h30.