Chemin de fer Monthey-Champéry-Morgins
Encyclopedia
The Monthey-Champéry-Morgins Railway (MCM) was a metre gauge
railway operating in the Chablais
region of Switzerland
.
The concession to build the line was awarded on 22 June 1899 but the work proceeded slowly. It was the original intention to complete the work at the same time as the Chemin de fer Aigle-Ollon-Monthey, with which it made an end-on junction, the two lines opening together in April 1907. The line eventually opened to passenger traffic on 30 January 1908. There was also to be a branch line, leaving the main line at d'Illiez, to Morgins
. Although that line was never built due to poor economic expectations, the village remained in the company title until amalgamation.
Nowadays the line is part of a larger, regional system operated, along with local bus services, by the Transports Publics du Chablais
.
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...
railway operating in the Chablais
Chablais
Chablais was a province of the Duchy of Savoy. Its capital was Thonon-les-Bains.This region is currently divided into three territories, the Chablais savoyard, the Chablais valaisan, and the Chablais vaudois, and is now split across two countries: France and Switzerland...
region of Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
.
The concession to build the line was awarded on 22 June 1899 but the work proceeded slowly. It was the original intention to complete the work at the same time as the Chemin de fer Aigle-Ollon-Monthey, with which it made an end-on junction, the two lines opening together in April 1907. The line eventually opened to passenger traffic on 30 January 1908. There was also to be a branch line, leaving the main line at d'Illiez, to Morgins
Morgins
Morgins is a village in the municipality of Troistorrents in the district of Monthey in the canton of Valais in southern Switzerland.It is noted for skiing and is part of the Portes du Soleil ski resort...
. Although that line was never built due to poor economic expectations, the village remained in the company title until amalgamation.
Nowadays the line is part of a larger, regional system operated, along with local bus services, by the Transports Publics du Chablais
Transports Publics du Chablais
In the interests of the communities in the Chablais region, at the eastern end of Lake Geneva, it was decided in 1999, to bring together passenger transport companies, to co-ordinate and develop services and investment in transport in the area...
.