Virtual Railfan Tour of Switzerland - Thursday - Montreux

 

Classic picture of an SBB class 460 on one of the half hourly trains between Geneva Airport, Lausanne, Montreux and Brig

Montreux is an interesting railway centre in its own right. It is in a very restricted area in the centre of town but its main claim to railfan fame is that it contains railways of thee different gauges. The standard gauge line is  double track only. It has a very heavy passenger and freight traffic. The metre gauge (900V DC adhesion) Montreux Oberland Bernois (MOB) with its very heavy tourist traffic has a terminal and shops here. The 800mm gauge (850 V DC Abt Rack) Montreux Territet Glion Naye (MGTN) skulks in its terminus hidden away under the overhanging buildings.

This shows the basic railway layout. The SBB main line is in orange on the left (west) while the two narrow gaige lines are shown in green. The MOB leaves southwards, enters a tunnel and completely reverses direction. The MGTN climbs southwards in tunnel on its way to Glion and Rochers de Naye.

SBB Main Line trains

Many of the Re 460 locomotives carry advertising livery. This train is headed dor Brig

The older Re 4/4s are still used on some three weekday commuter trains to Lausanne.

The 610 Pendolinos form the service to Milano via the Simplon tunnel.

With two fast passenger trains and two commuter trains in both directions in each hour the freight trains have to move smartly to keep out of the way. This Re 6/6 is hustling a trains of tank cars towards Lausanne

Occasionally BLS locomotives show up

There is also a steady movement of light engines like this diesel switcher.



Narrow Gauge Operations

Looking north down on the narrow gauge. The MGTN is on the right and the MOB on the left. Stub end platform tracks are at the top  with the SBB beyond under the train shed

MGTN tunnel entrance with the MOB yard to the right



MOB yard with the main line climbing up to the left

Montreux Oberland Bernois

The MOB trains carry a heavy tourist traffic. On this one it is possible, by paying ultra extra first class to ride in the front. The engineer still has the best seat in the house in his small cabin above the observation lounge. 

Many of the MOB locomotives carry advertising livery

The Chocolate Train takes visitors to the Nestle plant at Broc. Note both pantographs are up to carry the heavy current draw on the climb out.

Much of the switching is carried out by main line locomotives

Until recently these EMUs were used for local services

These new units now work the local trains up the hill from Montreux. There is an interesting notice at this platform telling waiting passengers not to sit on the platform edge.  It might be better to provide more seating accommodation.

These units are also used on the line out of Vevey. The power pick up and propulsion is in the centre section while the outer units, with just one truck each are hung on either side.

The exit from Monteux is quite dramatic with a steep climb and tunnel.

Montreux Territet Glion Naye - The Marmot Line

It is difficult to get pictures of the Richers de Naye trains here because they are always in deep shade



The Trolley Buses (Vevey - Montreux - Territet - Veytaux)

We should not leave Montreux without mentioning the excellent trolley bus service which parallels the SBB.

This picture taken by Alain Gavillet

Interdiction de reproduire cette photo à des fins commerciales, sans mon accord

Prise le 15 février 2017

Trolleybus Van-Hool 15 de 1994

Vevey

 Le réseau de trolleybus VMCV est composé d'une unique ligne. Elle relie Vevey-Funi à Villeneuve Gare (CFF) prolongée à Rennaz Vilage depuis 2019 en passant par La Tour-de-Peilz, Clarens, Montreux, Territet et Veytaux

The trolley buses all have on-board ticket machines

Finally another beautiful picture from Alain Gavillet

Interdiction de reproduire cette photo à des fins commerciales

Prise en 1957

Motrice Ce 2/2 17 de 1913

Place de la Gare

Ligne partant de Vevey pour Villeneuve en passant par Montreux, Chillon, ligne supprimée le 31 mars 1958, remplacée par des trolleybus dès le 1er avril 1958.

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