Montreux Glion Rochers de Naye RailwayMontreux Glion Rochers de Naye RailwayThe Montreux Glion Rochers de Naye Railway (MGN), French: Chemin de fer Montreux Glion Rochers de Naye, is an electrically operated rack railway in Switzerland, with a track gauge of 800 mm (2 ft 7 1/2 in). It was originally built as two separate lines, the Glion Rochers de Naye railway (GN) and the Montreux Glion railway (MGI). The line connects the resort of Montreux, on the shores of Lake Geneva, with the summit of the Rochers de Naye mountain. The line operates via the village of Glion, on the mountainside above Montreux, where it connects with the Territet–Glion funicular. Montreux Glion Rochers de Naye Railway History Glion to Rochers de Naye The first section of the line to open was the Glion to Rochers de Naye railway, which was built by the Chemin de fer GlionnRochers de Naye company (GN), and opened in 1892. Initially Glion was reached by the Territet-Glion funicular, which departed from a lower terminus opposite Territet station, the first station east of Montreux station on the Simplon railway. The Glion to Rochers de Naye railway was built to a gauge of 800 mm (2 ft 7 1/2 in), and the line was operated by steam locomotives using the rack and pinion system devised by Roman Abt. Montreux to Glion In 1909, the Montreux to Glion railway opened, built by the Chemin de fer Montreux Glion company (MGl). This ran from a lower terminus within Montreux station, and at its upper end made an end-to-end junction with the Glion to Rochers de Naye line. A cross platform interchange was retained between both lines and the Territet-Glion funicular. The Montreux to Glion railway was built to the same gauge and rack system as the Glion to Rochers de Naye railway, but was electrically operated from the start. Until 1938, when the Glion to Rochers de Naye line was electrified, trains were handed over in Glion between electric and steam locomotives. At the same time, electric railcars took over most services, leaving freight and peak traffic, service trains and snow blowing to the electric locomotives. Merger Even after through railcars took over most services, the two lines remained the property of different companies. The two companies finally merged in 1987, to form the Chemin de fer de Montreux Glion Rochers de Naye company (MGN). In 1992 this company merged with the Territet-Glion funicular to form the Chemin de fer MontreuxnTerritet GlionnRochersndenNaye company (MTGN). In 2001, the MTGN was merged into Transports Montreux Vevey Riviera (MVR), a company that operates a number of railway lines in the Montreux area. It is marketed under the Golden Pass Services' banner. 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. Montreux Glion Rochers de Naye Railway Route 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. 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 is 10.36 km (6.4 mi) long and has a vertical climb of 1,575 m (5,167 ft). This is made up of the Montreux - Glion section, which climbs 292 m (958.0 ft) in 2.73 km (1.7 mi), whilst the Glion Rochers de Naye climbs 1,283 m (4,209 ft) in 7.63 km (4.7 mi).[1] The line uses track of 800 mm (2 ft 7 1/2 in) gauge and the rack and pinion system devised by Roman Abt. It is electrified using 850 V DC supplied by overhead lines. Passing loops are situated in the stations at Glion, Caux, Paccot and Jaman. Montreux Glion Rochers de Naye Railway Rolling Stock Montreux Glion Rochers de Naye Railway Locomotives Number of Locamotives: 1 Class of Locamotive: HGe 2/2 Locomotive Builders Name: SLM/BBC/MFO 1909 Lost in Avalanche in 1966. Number of Locamotives: 1 Class of Locamotive: H 2/3 SLM 1992 Sold to BRB 2005, becoming their No.16. Number of Locamotives: 2 Class of Locamotive: HGe 2/2 Locomotive Builders Name: SLM/BBC/MFO Date Built: 1909 Fitted with a new "old style" wider body in 1986. Number of Locamotives: 3 Name of Locamotive: Veytaux (e) Class of Locamotive: HGe 2/2 Locomotive Builders Name: SLM/BBC/MFO Date Built: 1909 Notes about this Locomotive: Received new modern body in 1976, renumbered 101. In 1998 returned to No.3. Semi-permanently coupled to snowplough. Destroyed in accident in 2011. Number of Locamotives: 4 Name of Locamotive: Brienz Class of Locamotive: Hm 2/2 Locomotive Builders Name: Buhler/Caterpillar Date Built: 1973 Notes about this Locomotive: New to BRB as No.8, sold to MGN in 1996. Overhauled at Chernex in 2009 with fitting of larger engine bonnet and repaint in bright red livery. Number of Locamotives: 11 Class of Locamotive: Hem 2/2 Locomotive Builders Name: Stadler Date Built: 2013 Notes about this Locomotive: Delivered December 2013.Multiple working fitted to work with No.12. Bright red livery Number of Locamotives: 12 Class of Locamotive: Hem 2/2 - Locomotive Builders Name: Stadler Date Built: 2013 Notes about this Locomotive: Delivered December 2013.Multiple working fitted to work with No.11. Bright red livery Montreux Glion Rochers de Naye Railway Railcars No. Name Class Builders details. Date Built. Notes. 201 Bhe 2/4 SLM/BBC 1939 ex ABhe 2/4, Scrapped March 2011 202 Bhe 2/4 SLM/BBC 1939 ex ABhe 2/4, 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, Scrapped April 2007 206 Bhe 2/4 SLM/BBC 1949 ex ABhe 2/4, 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, 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 Bhe 4/8 SLM/Siemens 1992 (b) Peilz 305 Bhe 4/8 MOB Chernex/ 2010 (b)(f) Delivered to traffic w/c 30.11.10 Siemens Abbreviations. (b) Fitted for multiple unit with two or three double headed motor coaches serie Bhe 4/8 301-305. (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 unnamed. (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 Montreux Glion Rochers de Naye Railway Rotary Snowplow No. Name Class Builders details Date Built Notes 3 Xrote BC RACO/MFO/Beilhack 1954 Electric rotary snowplough 4 Xrote BC 2013 Electric rotary snowplough Montreux Glion Rochers de Naye Railway Preserved Coaches Previous Company No. Class. Builders details. Seats Date Built. Notes. Montreux-Glion 2 BC Luzern, Company 56. in 7 1908 Built for the not known comparments opening of the line Montreux-Glion 1908 Built for the opening of 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 Montreux Glion Rochers de Naye Railway Services The line operates throughout the year, and provides an hourly service in each direction between Montreux and Rochers de Naye from around 09:00 to dusk. Additional services between Montreux and Caux operate in the early morning, in the evenings, and during peak periods. The trains are timed to offer connections at Montreux with main line services of the Swiss Federal Railways and MOB. Montreux Glion Rochers de Naye Railway Overview Montreux Glion Rochers de Naye Railway Type: Rack railway Montreux Glion Rochers de Naye Railway Status: Open Montreux Glion Rochers de Naye Railway Locale: Canton of Vaud, Switzerland Montreux Glion Rochers de Naye Railway Terminal Stations: Montreux, Rochers de Naye Montreux Glion Rochers de Naye Railway Operation Opened: Glion Rochers de Naye 1892 Montreux-Glion 1909 Montreux Glion Rochers de Naye Railway Owner: Transports Montreux Vevey Riviera Montreux Glion Rochers de Naye Railway Line Length: 10.3 km (6.4 mi) Montreux Glion Rochers de Naye Railway Track Gauge: 800 mm (2 ft 7 1/2 in) Montreux Glion Rochers de Naye Railway Electrification: 850 V, DC, overhead line Montreux Glion Rochers de Naye Railway Elevation and Incline Montreux Glion Rochers de Naye Railway Highest Elevation: 1,970 m (6,463 ft) Montreux Glion Rochers de Naye Railway Maximum Incline: 22% Montreux Glion Rochers de Naye Railway Rack System: Abt Montreux Glion Rochers de Naye Railway Route 0.0 Montreux 395 m above sea level. Montreux tunnel (390m) 0.6 Montreux Les Planches Funiculaire tunnel (83m) Toveyres tunnel (26m) 1.7 Toveyre Valmont tunnel (386m) 2.2 Valmont 2.7 Glion 687m above sea level. Glion tunnel (45 m) 3.0 Glion Hotel des Alps | |||||
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