Chemin de fer Montreux–Glion–Rochers-de-Naye

Coordinates: 46°25′40.93″N 6°55′25.33″E / 46.4280361°N 6.9237028°E / 46.4280361; 6.9237028

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.

History

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 Line

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.

• 

  A train on the Montreux-de Naye line at Caux.

Rolling stock

Locomotives

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

Railcars

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.

• (b) Fitted for multiple working with one other class member to form 4 car unit.
• (c) Carries "Marmot Paradis" livery
• (d) Carries "Pere Noel" livery, (marking the visit of Santa to Rochers de Naye).
• (e) No.302 carries "Veytaux" nameplate low down on cab side on front (uphill) cab. Name removed from locomotive No.3 which is now un-named.
• (f) Painted in new "Golden Pass" gold/white livery from new.

• BBC : Brown, Boveri & Cie
• SLM : Swiss Locomotive and Machine Works, Winterthur
• MFO : Maschinenfabrik Oerlikon

Rotary Snowplow

No.	Name	Class	Builders details	Date Built	Notes.
3		Xrote	RACO/MFO/Beilhack	1954	Electric rotary snowplough

Preserved Coaches

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

• Coaches of the Montreux-Glion Railway are restored to original red livery, usually kept at Glion and work with Locomotive No.2. During its time at the line also worked with steam locomotive No.1.
• Coach No.16 is painted a dark blue livery with lighter blue panels. Also worked with steam locomotive No.1.

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.

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 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.

References

• Official publications of the MOB (and the companies under its marketing banner).
• 24 heures, Riviera Edition.
• Livery details by personnel observation, last updated July 2010.