Virtual Railfan Tour of Switzerland - Tuesday - Vapeur Parc Suisse

The Parc Vapeur Suisse is located at Le Bouveret on the southern shore of Lac Leman opposite Montreux.  Getting there can be half the fun as there is a frequent service of paddle steamers.
La Suisse is the doyen of the Lac Leman paddle steamer fleet

The restoration is exquisite

Our Swiss Passes allow us to travel in the first class cabin

Everything is kept spotless and the motion of the steam engine is open to view

From Lausanne we travel alongside the vineyards to Vevey, Montreux, the Chateau de Chillon and Villeneuve. From Villeneuve we cross the delta where the River Rhone empties into the lake.
This is a wildlife reserve with this curious small island completely covered with trees

The next stop is Le Bouveret where a short walk brings us to the Vapeur Parc. 
This is a complex railway which carries passengers. Once inside visitors are free to ride as much as they wish

They manage to cram a lot of railway in a small space - as well as restaurants, cafes and excellent scenery

The roundhouse is an interesting place to start

The rides start from a central station where announcements are made using the Swiss railway jingle

This is where the steam locomotive is watered and serviced.  Great Western Railway locomotives did not have a padded seat - there was just a wooden flap, one cheek wide







A second train has electric outline although it is internal combustion powered.


A third train runs on a fully operational rack railway




Some of the trackwork on this fully computer controlled railway is quite complex



The modelling is very well done

There are a couple of good restaurants in the little village near the  railway station.  The daily specials are good although one must be careful of the menu. Last time I was there I ordered poulain, thinking it was a type of chicken (poule). I realized my error when the server asked me "quel cuisson?". Turns out poulain is a foal (horse). It was very good indeed.

With lunch over we now have to get back.  There are two options.
There is a train to St. Maurice from where there are trains back to Montreux and Lausanne

The paddle steamer calls at St. Gingolfe then goes direct across the lake to Vevey.  The steamer is shorter.

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