Chemin de fer Les Avants-Sonloup
Encyclopedia
The Chemin de fer Les Avants–Sonloup is a metre gauge
funicular
which runs from the railway station of the Chemin de fer Montreux-Oberland Bernois
at Les Avants
, between Montreux
and Montbovon, and an upper terminus at Sonloup. The funicular, which was opened on 14 December 1912, runs at a right angle to the MOB line for a distance of 532 m (1,745.4 ft) and in doing so climbs at a 54% gradient to a height of 184 m (603.7 ft) above Les Avants.
The cars used are unusual in that they have a single compartment but are on four levels which take account of the gradient.
The peak season for tourists, is in the spring when the narcissus and forget-me-not
plants flower in the meadowlands near the summit.
The line is operated under the MOB "Golden Pass Services" banner.
Metre gauge
Metre gauge refers to narrow gauge railways and tramways with a track gauge of . In some African, American and Asian countries it is the main gauge. In Europe it has been used for local railways in France, Germany, and Belgium, most of which were closed down in mid 20th century. Only in Switzerland...
funicular
Funicular
A funicular, also known as an inclined plane or cliff railway, is a cable railway in which a cable attached to a pair of tram-like vehicles on rails moves them up and down a steep slope; the ascending and descending vehicles counterbalance each other.-Operation:The basic principle of funicular...
which runs from the railway station of the Chemin de fer Montreux-Oberland Bernois
Montreux-Oberland Bernois
The Montreux-Oberland Bernois railway , is a railway operating in southwest Switzerland, one of the oldest electric railways in the country; its main line, in length, built to gauge, connects Montreux, Gstaad and Zweisimmen where passengers can transfer to a branch of the standard gauge...
at Les Avants
Les Avants
Les Avants is a village in the canton of Vaud in Switzerland. It is located in the municipality of Montreux, in the east of the canton, in the district of Vevey. It lies north-east of the town of Montreux and east of Lausanne....
, between Montreux
Montreux
Montreux is a municipality in the district of Riviera-Pays-d'Enhaut in the canton of Vaud in Switzerland.It is located on Lake Geneva at the foot of the Alps and has a population, , of and nearly 90,000 in the agglomeration.- History :...
and Montbovon, and an upper terminus at Sonloup. The funicular, which was opened on 14 December 1912, runs at a right angle to the MOB line for a distance of 532 m (1,745.4 ft) and in doing so climbs at a 54% gradient to a height of 184 m (603.7 ft) above Les Avants.
The cars used are unusual in that they have a single compartment but are on four levels which take account of the gradient.
The peak season for tourists, is in the spring when the narcissus and forget-me-not
Forget-me-not
Myosotis is a genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae that are commonly called Forget-me-nots. Its common name was calqued from the French, "ne m'oubliez pas" and first used in English in c. 1532. Similar names and variations are found in many languages.-Description:There are...
plants flower in the meadowlands near the summit.
The line is operated under the MOB "Golden Pass Services" banner.