Montreux-Oberland Bernois
Encyclopedia
The Montreux-Oberland Bernois railway , is a railway operating in southwest Switzerland
, one of the oldest electric railways in the country; its main line, 62.4 km (38.8 mi) in length, built to gauge, connects Montreux
, Gstaad
and Zweisimmen
where passengers can transfer to a branch of the standard gauge
Bern-Lötschberg-Simplon railway
. There is also a 12.9 km (8 mi) long branch line from Zweisimmen to Lenk
.
to Les Avants
(10.9 km (6.8 mi)) on December 17, 1901 followed by the Les Avants to Montbovon (11.2 km (7 mi)) section on October 1, 1903. The next stages from Montbovon to Chateau d'Oex (10.6 km (6.6 mi)) and then Gstaad
(13.1 km (8.1 mi)) followed on August 19, 1904 and December 20, 1904 respectively, the final 16.6 km (10.3 mi) of the line reaching Zweisimmen
on July 6, 1905. The spur line to Lenk
was opened in 1912.
From the very start the MOB had the character of a mainline railway and, at an early stage, through trains with dining
and saloon coaches were introduced. The creation of the Golden Mountain Pullman Express in 1931 was unfortunately at a time of world economic crisis
and this accounted for its lack of success. The saloon coaches 103-106 built for this train by Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits (CIWL) were sold to the Rhaetian Railway in 1939, where they are still in use (As 1141-44). Two of the original (1913/4 built) coaches have been restored by the MOB and are used for "Chocolate train" services in the summer months, but still regularly find work on the main line "Classic train" services on Sundays throughout the year. The modern successor of this luxury train is the Golden Pass Panoramic Express, which for the past few years has aroused growing enthusiasm.
The MOB begins its journey in Montreux, departing trains normally making use of platform 5 and arrivals platform 6, between the Swiss Federal Railway
platforms and those of the rack and pinion railway to the Rochers de Naye
. Winding its way up through the vineyards above Lake Geneva
via Chamby, as far as Les Avants, the line passes through the crown tunnel under the Col de Jaman to reach the Saane
Valley. In Montbovon there is a connection to the TPF
(previously GFM) network. Following the Saane upstream, passing the famous hot-air ballooning centre of Château-d'Oex, it leaves the French-speaking Canton
of Vaud
near Rougemont and enters the German-speaking Canton of Berne
. After Saanen the planners would have liked a direct ascent of the Sannenmöser Pass but without the aid of a rack and pinion system this was impossible and the line was diverted to loop around the village of Gstaad, adding greatly to the development and prosperity of the community. Beyond Gstaad railway station it begins the climb to the head of Saanenmöser Pass, the highest point on the line at 1270m (3937 ft). On the other side it descends the Simmen Valley to Zweisimmen, where there is a connection to the standard gauge line of the BLS
to Spiez.
Over the years, while passenger traffic boomed, freight traffic diminished with 2006 seeing the end of cement
transport between Montreux and Saanen and the transport of standard gauge wagons on transporter bogies
between Zweisimmen and stations to Rougemont
and Lenk. By the end of the year the MOB was a passenger only operation, however in Spring 2007 the company purchased nine gravel
(hopper
) wagons and two surplus locomotives from the Transports Publics Fribourgeois
(TPF) (previously GFM). The MOB now operates this transport from Grandvillard
(on the TPF line) to Saanen.
The Lenk
branch retraces this route for a very short distance before continuing on its own trackbed. Because of its poor state of repair, this line was closed on June 14, 1975, however, it was fully modernized between 1977 and 1979, having new tracks
and overhead lines
, reopening on September 27, 1979. New rolling stock was purchased (* in the list below) to operate this line together with the weekdays school service from Zweisimmen and Saanen
. Since reopening it has been included in the regular operating schedule of the MOB with timetabled connections to the main line services.
The work at Gstaad consisted of a complete rebuilding of the platforms to full height and simplification of the track layout. After almost 100 years the station got platform canopies and passenger operated lifts linked by a pedestrian underpass. During this rebuilding the station was reduced to a single line. The canopy is of wooden construction supported on metal uprights. The new layout gives the original platform as No.1 with the new island platform being Nos. 2 and 3. This work was officially opened, if not fully finished, on 13 June 2009.
At Saanenmöser station a straight forward relaying and alignment took place through late 2008 / early 2009 which maintained the passing and siding facility at that location.
During the early part of 2010, by the end of May, the stations underwent a rebranding along with those of other lines which come under the "Golden Pass" banner. All were fitted with signs bearing the new "Golden Pass" logo and name alongside the station nameboards, which were retained in their original colours.
(Source : 24 heures, Vaud edition, various dates in April/May 2009)
(Source : Journal du Pays d'Enhaut, 1st October 2009)
" mode :
In the reverse direction the Golden Pass trains with VIP (domed observation cars) seating are the 12h26 (Train 2119) and 18h20 from Zweisimmen (Train 2131).
There are other Golden Pass trains without VIP seating (Dome end cars) and these depart Montreux at 07h45, 11h49, 14h47 and 17h45 (Trains 2112, 2124, 2228 and 2134) and from Zweisimmen at 08h26, 10h26, 14h26 and 17h05 (Trains 2111, 3115, 3123 and 2229). These trains are locomotive hauled and utilise stock not required for the trains with VIP seating. The formation, which is flexible, is usually as follows :
This leaves a surplus of one domed observation car (two in use on the Golden Pass panorama and one on the "Chocolate Train")
Golden Pass Classic trains operate daily departing Montreux at 08h47 and 13h45 (Trains 2216 and 3126), returning from Zweisimmen at 11h09 and 16h26 (Trains 2217 and 2127) and are made up in the following formation :
The Golden Pass "Chocolate Train" operates in June, September and October every Monday, Wednesday and Friday and in July and August Monday to Friday, departing Montreux at 09h12 (Train 2118) but no return working is shown in the timetable. Until the end of the 2008 season it was made up in the following formation which ran throughout between Montreux and Broc Fabrique:
In the 2009 timetable the formation was changed and only operated between Montreux and Gruyere only with a coach connection to Broc (Due to operating problems), as follows:
Other trains Montreux - Zweisimmen may be pulled by a Ge 4/4, GDe 4/4 or an ABDe 8/8 and they can have up to five coaches.
Local services operate connecting Montreux to Fontanivent (Mon - Fri ), Chernex, Sonzier and Les Avants, operated by Be 2/6 7001-7004 and from Château-d'Oex, Saanen or Gstaad to Zweisimmen. The branch line from Zweisimmen to Lenk offers a regular service timetabled to connect into and out of the MOB main line services. These trains are operated by Be 4/4 5001-5004.
and BAM. Any of these locomotives can be seen working the principal trains.
In December 2006 the TPF
gave over its freight operations to the SBB Cargo and its two GDe 4/4 locomotives became surplus to requirements. In April 2007 these were purchased by the MOB and have since been allocated numbers following on from those of their new owners.
The MOB is run with 900 V DC, overhead contact and has gradients of up to 7.3 % (1 in 13.5).
Withdrawn and Preserved Items
Note 1: Class Be 4/4 after rebuild operate as the centre-car (non driving motor) of a three-car set made up as Bt - BDe4/4 - ABt. The Bt vehicles are numbered 241 - 244 and the ABt vehicles 341 - 344. Bt242 carries R+J Builders plate 70671 - 2005.
Note 2: Class Be 2/6, No's 7001 to 7004, are listed under the stock owned by the Chemins de fer électriques Veveysans
(CEV) but they also work short journeys over the MOB from Montreux to Fontanivent, Sonzier and Les Avents.
These include:
Note (a). BDs No.220 was outshopped from Chernex in late June 2010, following a press demonstration the previous month, as the first vehicle to be fitted on axle-less, dual gauge
bogies to be tested in readyness for the through running to Interlaken.
x43 and x44 were built by Ramseier+Jenzer and fitted with SIG-type bogies, x41 and x42 are built by Raility, the successor company of R+J, and will receive Alstom Centro 1000 bogies with air suspension on delivery.
The first of these to enter full revenue - earning service did so in mid-December 2010 when 231 and 232 were formed as a regular part of the "Golden Pass Panorama" trains 3118/2119/2128/2131
Source : MOB/Raility press release together with personal observation.
s to allow through running across the 1000 mm/1435 mm break-of-gauge
. The axle-less bogie was developed by MOB and engineered by Prose of Winterthur
. Some components were designed for the Centro 1000 bogie and built by Alstom. Apart from changing the gauge, the bogies also adjust the height of the coaches to suit the different platform
heights on the two gauges. MOB announced commercial service with variable gauge trains for 2015.
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....
, one of the oldest electric railways in the country; its main line, 62.4 km (38.8 mi) in length, built to gauge, connects Montreux
Montreux railway station
Montreux railway station is the largest of the railway stations serving the municipality of Montreux, in the Canton of Vaud, Switzerland.All of the SBB-CFF-FFS standard gauge passenger trains operating on the Simplon railway line call at this station, which is also the western terminus of the...
, Gstaad
Gstaad
Gstaad is a village in the German-speaking section of the Canton of Berne in southwestern Switzerland. Part of the municipality of Saanen, Gstaad is known as one of the most exclusive ski resorts in the world....
and Zweisimmen
Zweisimmen
Zweisimmen is a municipality in the Obersimmental-Saanen administrative district in the canton of Bern in Switzerland.-Geography:Zweisimmen has an area of . Of this area, 56.2% is used for agricultural purposes, while 32.9% is forested...
where passengers can transfer to a branch of the standard gauge
Standard gauge
The standard gauge is a widely-used track gauge . Approximately 60% of the world's existing railway lines are built to this gauge...
Bern-Lötschberg-Simplon railway
Bern-Lötschberg-Simplon railway
The Bern-Lötschberg-Simplon railway, known since the merger of the "old" BLS with the Bern-Neuenburg-Bahn , the Gürbetal-Bern-Schwarzenburg-Bahn and the Simmentalbahn in 1997 as the BLS Lötschbergbahn, is a Swiss railway company. It is the largest standard gauge network on the Swiss Railway...
. There is also a 12.9 km (8 mi) long branch line from Zweisimmen to Lenk
Lenk
Lenk may refer to:Places:* Lenk im Simmental, a municipality in the district of Obersimmental in the canton of Bern in SwitzerlandPeople:* Arthur Lenk, an Israeli diplomat* Maria Lenk, a Brazilian swimmer...
.
History and route
The main line of the MOB was opened in stages, the first, from MontreuxMontreux railway station
Montreux railway station is the largest of the railway stations serving the municipality of Montreux, in the Canton of Vaud, Switzerland.All of the SBB-CFF-FFS standard gauge passenger trains operating on the Simplon railway line call at this station, which is also the western terminus of the...
to 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....
(10.9 km (6.8 mi)) on December 17, 1901 followed by the Les Avants to Montbovon (11.2 km (7 mi)) section on October 1, 1903. The next stages from Montbovon to Chateau d'Oex (10.6 km (6.6 mi)) and then Gstaad
Gstaad
Gstaad is a village in the German-speaking section of the Canton of Berne in southwestern Switzerland. Part of the municipality of Saanen, Gstaad is known as one of the most exclusive ski resorts in the world....
(13.1 km (8.1 mi)) followed on August 19, 1904 and December 20, 1904 respectively, the final 16.6 km (10.3 mi) of the line reaching Zweisimmen
Zweisimmen
Zweisimmen is a municipality in the Obersimmental-Saanen administrative district in the canton of Bern in Switzerland.-Geography:Zweisimmen has an area of . Of this area, 56.2% is used for agricultural purposes, while 32.9% is forested...
on July 6, 1905. The spur line to Lenk
Lenk
Lenk may refer to:Places:* Lenk im Simmental, a municipality in the district of Obersimmental in the canton of Bern in SwitzerlandPeople:* Arthur Lenk, an Israeli diplomat* Maria Lenk, a Brazilian swimmer...
was opened in 1912.
From the very start the MOB had the character of a mainline railway and, at an early stage, through trains with dining
Dining car
A dining car or restaurant carriage , also diner, is a railroad passenger car that serves meals in the manner of a full-service, sit-down restaurant....
and saloon coaches were introduced. The creation of the Golden Mountain Pullman Express in 1931 was unfortunately at a time of world economic crisis
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
and this accounted for its lack of success. The saloon coaches 103-106 built for this train by Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits (CIWL) were sold to the Rhaetian Railway in 1939, where they are still in use (As 1141-44). Two of the original (1913/4 built) coaches have been restored by the MOB and are used for "Chocolate train" services in the summer months, but still regularly find work on the main line "Classic train" services on Sundays throughout the year. The modern successor of this luxury train is the Golden Pass Panoramic Express, which for the past few years has aroused growing enthusiasm.
The MOB begins its journey in Montreux, departing trains normally making use of platform 5 and arrivals platform 6, between the Swiss Federal Railway
SBB
This article is about the Polish band. For the Michigan band, see Small Brown BikeSBB is a Polish progressive rock band formed in 1971 in Siemianowice, Upper Silesia by multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Józef Skrzek...
platforms and those of the rack and pinion railway to the Rochers de Naye
Rochers de Naye
Rochers de Naye is a mountain above Montreux, from where the Chemin de fer Montreux-Glion-Rochers-de-Naye leads to its peak.In addition, it is also possible to access the summit by driving to Col de Jaman and then making the 2-3 hr hike to the peak....
. Winding its way up through the vineyards above Lake Geneva
Lake Geneva
Lake Geneva or Lake Léman is a lake in Switzerland and France. It is one of the largest lakes in Western Europe. 59.53 % of it comes under the jurisdiction of Switzerland , and 40.47 % under France...
via Chamby, as far as Les Avants, the line passes through the crown tunnel under the Col de Jaman to reach the Saane
Saâne
The Saâne is a river of Normandy, France, in length, flowing through the department of Seine-Maritime.- Geography :The Saâne has its source in the Pays de Caux in the territory of the hamlet of Varvannes, in the commune of Val-de-Saâne...
Valley. In Montbovon there is a connection to the TPF
Transports publics Fribourgeois
The Transports Publics Fribourgeois is a renaming of the former Chemins de fer Fribourgeois Gruyère-Fribourg-Morat when the municipal Transport en commun de Fribourg was absorbed in 2000.- The Railways :...
(previously GFM) network. Following the Saane upstream, passing the famous hot-air ballooning centre of Château-d'Oex, it leaves the French-speaking Canton
Cantons of Switzerland
The 26 cantons of Switzerland are the member states of the federal state of Switzerland. Each canton was a fully sovereign state with its own borders, army and currency from the Treaty of Westphalia until the establishment of the Swiss federal state in 1848...
of Vaud
Vaud
Vaud is one of the 26 cantons of Switzerland and is located in Romandy, the French-speaking southwestern part of the country. The capital is Lausanne. The name of the Canton in Switzerland's other languages are Vaud in Italian , Waadt in German , and Vad in Romansh.-History:Along the lakes,...
near Rougemont and enters the German-speaking Canton of Berne
Canton of Berne
The Canton of Bern is the second largest of the 26 Swiss cantons by both surface area and population. Located in west-central Switzerland, it borders the Canton of Jura and the Canton of Solothurn to the north. To the west lie the Canton of Neuchâtel, the Canton of Fribourg and Vaud. To the south...
. After Saanen the planners would have liked a direct ascent of the Sannenmöser Pass but without the aid of a rack and pinion system this was impossible and the line was diverted to loop around the village of Gstaad, adding greatly to the development and prosperity of the community. Beyond Gstaad railway station it begins the climb to the head of Saanenmöser Pass, the highest point on the line at 1270m (3937 ft). On the other side it descends the Simmen Valley to Zweisimmen, where there is a connection to the standard gauge line of the BLS
Bern-Lötschberg-Simplon railway
The Bern-Lötschberg-Simplon railway, known since the merger of the "old" BLS with the Bern-Neuenburg-Bahn , the Gürbetal-Bern-Schwarzenburg-Bahn and the Simmentalbahn in 1997 as the BLS Lötschbergbahn, is a Swiss railway company. It is the largest standard gauge network on the Swiss Railway...
to Spiez.
Over the years, while passenger traffic boomed, freight traffic diminished with 2006 seeing the end of cement
Cement
In the most general sense of the word, a cement is a binder, a substance that sets and hardens independently, and can bind other materials together. The word "cement" traces to the Romans, who used the term opus caementicium to describe masonry resembling modern concrete that was made from crushed...
transport between Montreux and Saanen and the transport of standard gauge wagons on transporter bogies
Transporter wagon
A transporter wagon, in railway terminology, is a wagon or railroad car designed to carry other railway equipment. Normally, it is used to transport equipment of a different rail gauge...
between Zweisimmen and stations to Rougemont
Rougemont, Switzerland
Rougemont is a municipality in the Pays-d'Enhaut of the canton of Vaud in Switzerland.-History:Rougemont is first mentioned in 1115 as Rubeus Mons and Rogemot. The name of the village also appears in various forms in medieval chronicles: Rubeimontis, Rogemont, Rubeo monte, Rogo mons, and Rojomont...
and Lenk. By the end of the year the MOB was a passenger only operation, however in Spring 2007 the company purchased nine gravel
Gravel
Gravel is composed of unconsolidated rock fragments that have a general particle size range and include size classes from granule- to boulder-sized fragments. Gravel can be sub-categorized into granule and cobble...
(hopper
Hopper car
A hopper car is a type of railroad freight car used to transport loose bulk commodities such as coal, ore, grain, track ballast, and the like. The name originated from the coke manufacturing industry which is part of the steel industry ....
) wagons and two surplus locomotives from the Transports Publics Fribourgeois
GFM
Transports Publics Fribourgeois metre-gauge system is located mainly within the Canton of Fribourg in Switzerland and is 48.2 km long. In addition to this the company also operates two standard-gauge railway lines, those between Bulle and Romont and between Fribourg, Murten and Ins...
(TPF) (previously GFM). The MOB now operates this transport from Grandvillard
Grandvillard
Grandvillard is a municipality in the district of Gruyère in the canton of Fribourg in Switzerland.-History:Grandvillard is first mentioned in 1228 as Vilar. In 1309 it was mentioned as Vilar retro Grueriam and in 1457 as communitas Magni Villari retro Grueriam...
(on the TPF line) to Saanen.
The Lenk
Lenk
Lenk may refer to:Places:* Lenk im Simmental, a municipality in the district of Obersimmental in the canton of Bern in SwitzerlandPeople:* Arthur Lenk, an Israeli diplomat* Maria Lenk, a Brazilian swimmer...
branch retraces this route for a very short distance before continuing on its own trackbed. Because of its poor state of repair, this line was closed on June 14, 1975, however, it was fully modernized between 1977 and 1979, having new tracks
Rail tracks
The track on a railway or railroad, also known as the permanent way, is the structure consisting of the rails, fasteners, sleepers and ballast , plus the underlying subgrade...
and overhead lines
Overhead lines
Overhead lines or overhead wires are used to transmit electrical energy to trams, trolleybuses or trains at a distance from the energy supply point...
, reopening on September 27, 1979. New rolling stock was purchased (* in the list below) to operate this line together with the weekdays school service from Zweisimmen and Saanen
Saanen
Saanen is a municipality in the canton of Bern in Switzerland. It is the capital of the Obersimmental-Saanen administrative district.-Geography:Saanen has an area of . Of this area, 52.8% is used for agricultural purposes, while 33.6% is forested...
. Since reopening it has been included in the regular operating schedule of the MOB with timetabled connections to the main line services.
Modernisation program
In Spring 2008 the MOB announced a 4 year plan to modernise the railway infrastructure and rebuild stations to bring them all into the 21st century. This programme began with the demolition of little used facilities; the goods shed in Gstaad and the shed in Chateau d'Oex, this latter structure being replaced by a free-standing shelter, for example. During 2008 much work took place on the overhead line equipment with replacement supports being positioned along the line although not brought into use they stand ready for the new wiring. It is expected that this work will continue, up to 4 nights per week through to December 2009, subject to weather conditions. New deeper ballasting has taken place along many sections of the line and this will be continued until the line has all been done.The work at Gstaad consisted of a complete rebuilding of the platforms to full height and simplification of the track layout. After almost 100 years the station got platform canopies and passenger operated lifts linked by a pedestrian underpass. During this rebuilding the station was reduced to a single line. The canopy is of wooden construction supported on metal uprights. The new layout gives the original platform as No.1 with the new island platform being Nos. 2 and 3. This work was officially opened, if not fully finished, on 13 June 2009.
At Saanenmöser station a straight forward relaying and alignment took place through late 2008 / early 2009 which maintained the passing and siding facility at that location.
During the early part of 2010, by the end of May, the stations underwent a rebranding along with those of other lines which come under the "Golden Pass" banner. All were fitted with signs bearing the new "Golden Pass" logo and name alongside the station nameboards, which were retained in their original colours.
(Source : 24 heures, Vaud edition, various dates in April/May 2009)
(Source : Journal du Pays d'Enhaut, 1st October 2009)
Timetables and train formations
From the beginning of 2011 timetable there are two Golden Pass Panoramic services, with VIP seating (domed end cars), departing Montreux at 09h45 (Train 3118) and 15h45,(Train Nos 2128), the Lenk branch ceases to be served, the "through" working only lasting one year (2010). It is normally made up in the following formation and operate in the "Push-PullPush-pull train
Push–pull is a mode of operation for locomotive-hauled trains allowing them to be driven from either end.A push–pull train has a locomotive at one end of the train, connected via some form of remote control, such as multiple-unit train control, to a vehicle equipped with a control cab at the other...
" mode :
- Ast / Brs / As / Locomotive / BDs / Bs* / Arst* : This is the length limit of the train due to platform lengths. Trains may be shorter off-season.
In the reverse direction the Golden Pass trains with VIP (domed observation cars) seating are the 12h26 (Train 2119) and 18h20 from Zweisimmen (Train 2131).
 |
There are other Golden Pass trains without VIP seating (Dome end cars) and these depart Montreux at 07h45, 11h49, 14h47 and 17h45 (Trains 2112, 2124, 2228 and 2134) and from Zweisimmen at 08h26, 10h26, 14h26 and 17h05 (Trains 2111, 3115, 3123 and 2229). These trains are locomotive hauled and utilise stock not required for the trains with VIP seating. The formation, which is flexible, is usually as follows :
- Locomotive / As / As / BDs / Bs / Bs
This leaves a surplus of one domed observation car (two in use on the Golden Pass panorama and one on the "Chocolate Train")
Golden Pass Classic trains operate daily departing Montreux at 08h47 and 13h45 (Trains 2216 and 3126), returning from Zweisimmen at 11h09 and 16h26 (Trains 2217 and 2127) and are made up in the following formation :
- Locomotive / As / As / Brs / Bs / Non-Classic Type BD (to provide cycle / luggage space)
The Golden Pass "Chocolate Train" operates in June, September and October every Monday, Wednesday and Friday and in July and August Monday to Friday, departing Montreux at 09h12 (Train 2118) but no return working is shown in the timetable. Until the end of the 2008 season it was made up in the following formation which ran throughout between Montreux and Broc Fabrique:
- Locomotive / Belle Epoque Ars / Belle Epoque As / Other vehicles as required (usually Panorama type and/or Non-Classic type BD).
In the 2009 timetable the formation was changed and only operated between Montreux and Gruyere only with a coach connection to Broc (Due to operating problems), as follows:
- Locomotive (Usually 6003 Saanen, in special Chocolate Train livery) / Belle Epoque Ars / Belle Epoque Ars / Golden Pass Panorama observation car (No. 116 or 117) operating in "Push - Pull" mode.
Other trains Montreux - Zweisimmen may be pulled by a Ge 4/4, GDe 4/4 or an ABDe 8/8 and they can have up to five coaches.
Local services operate connecting Montreux to Fontanivent (Mon - Fri ), Chernex, Sonzier and Les Avants, operated by Be 2/6 7001-7004 and from Château-d'Oex, Saanen or Gstaad to Zweisimmen. The branch line from Zweisimmen to Lenk offers a regular service timetabled to connect into and out of the MOB main line services. These trains are operated by Be 4/4 5001-5004.
Locomotives and motor coaches
For decades the traffic on the MOB had been handled by electric motor coaches available in four-, six- and eight-axle designs. In 1983, four locomotives of the type GDe 4/4 were bought, to be followed in 1994 by four newer and more powerful Ge 4/4 locomotives from the same manufacturer. These are similar to the ones purchased by the RhBRhB
The Rhaetian Railway is a Swiss transport company, owning the largest network of all the private railways in Switzerland. The company operates most of the railways in the Swiss canton of Graubünden as the Swiss federal railway company SBB-CFF-FFS extend only a few kilometres over the cantonal...
and BAM. Any of these locomotives can be seen working the principal trains.
In December 2006 the TPF
Transports publics Fribourgeois
The Transports Publics Fribourgeois is a renaming of the former Chemins de fer Fribourgeois Gruyère-Fribourg-Morat when the municipal Transport en commun de Fribourg was absorbed in 2000.- The Railways :...
gave over its freight operations to the SBB Cargo and its two GDe 4/4 locomotives became surplus to requirements. In April 2007 these were purchased by the MOB and have since been allocated numbers following on from those of their new owners.
The MOB is run with 900 V DC, overhead contact and has gradients of up to 7.3 % (1 in 13.5).
| No. | Name | Class | Builders | Works No./Date Built | Notes. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Tm 2/2 | KHD | 55736-1955 | Ex- V22, Euskirchener Kreisbahn, Germany: Sold 1966 to VGH (Germany) V121. | |
| 4 | Tm 2/2 | 1934 | Ex-Rhätische Bahn 9913 | ||
| 5 | Béa | Tm 2/2 | Kaelble-Gmeinder | 5553-1976 | 2007 ex-Benkler 25 |
| 6 | Elsbeth | Tm 2/2 | Kaelble-Gmeinder | 5586-1980 | 2007 ex-Benkler 26 |
| 7 | Tm 2/2 | 1950 | Ex-Rhätische Bahn 9914 | ||
| 28 | De 4/4 | SIG/BBC | 1924 | Engineers Dept. | |
| 1001 | Montreux | Be 4/4 | ACMV/SWS/MFO/BBC | 1955 | Ex-Lugano-Cadro-Dino Railway. Sold to MOB and rebuilt 1973. |
| 1002 | Be 4/4 | SWS/SAAS | 1951 | Ex-Biasca-Acquarossa railway 4, reserve in Zweisimmen | |
| 1003 | Be 4/4 | SWS/SAAS | 1958 | Ex-Lugana-Ponte Tresa Railway 5. Brought by MOB 1981, reserve in Saanen (July 2009) | |
| 2003 | Montbovon | Gm 4/4 | Moyse/CFD*/Poyaud | 1976 | Spring 2009 to Chernex works. |
| 2004 | Albeuve | Gm 4/4 | Moyse/CFD*/Poyaud | 1982 | *Ateliers de Montmirail, Chassis No. BB825 |
| 3001 | Rougemont | BDe 4/4 | SIG/BBC | 1944 | Ex-2nd/Brake,now Engineers Dept. use. Retained blue/cream livery until scrapped in December 2009. |
| 3002 | Chateau d'Oex | BDe 4/4 | SIG/BBC | 1944 | Ex-2nd/Brake,At 7.2009 being stripped out, Chernex Works. Moved to Vevey for asbestos removal and at 6.2010 awaits further attention at Chernex. |
| 3004 | BDe 4/4 | SIG/BBC | 1944 | Ex-2nd/Brake,now Engineers Dept. use, all over dark blue livery (2006), repainted Vevey, 2009. | |
| 3005 | BDe 4/4 | SIG/BBC | 1946 | Ex-2nd/Brake,now Engineers Dept. use, all over dark blue livery. | |
| 3006 | BDe 4/4 | SIG/BBC | 1946 | Ex-2nd/Brake,now Engineers Dept. use, all over dark blue livery. | |
| 4001 | Suisse | ABDe 8/8 | SIG/BBC/SAAS | 1968 | |
| 4002 | Vaud | ABDe 8/8 | SIG/BBC/SAAS | 1968 | |
| 4003 | Bern | ABDe 8/8 | SIG/BBC/SAAS | 1968 | |
| 4004 | Fribourg | ABDe 8/8 | SIG/BBC/SAAS | 1968 | |
| *5001 | Be 4/4 | SIG/SAAS | 1976 | Note 1. Rebuilt Raility/MOB Chernex, left works 7.07.2009. | |
| *5002 | Be 4/4 | SIG/SAAS | 1976 | Note 1. Rebuilt Raility/MOB Chernex, left works 20.08.2008. | |
| *5003 | Be 4/4 | SIG/SAAS | 1976 | Note 1. Rebuilt R+J/MOB Chernex, 2004. | |
| *5004 | Be 4/4 | SIG/SAAS | 1976 | Note 1. Rebuilt R+J/MOB Chernex, 2006. | |
| 6001 | Vevey | GDe 4/4 | SLM/BBC | 1983 | |
| 6002 | Isabelle von Siebenthal | GDe 4/4 | SLM/BBC | 1983 | |
| 6003 | Saanen | GDe 4/4 | SLM/BBC | 1983 | In 1983 this locomotive broke the record for Swiss narrow gauge trains with a speed of 110 km/h. From April 2009 in "Chocolate Train" livery. |
| 6004 | Interlaken | GDe 4/4 | SLM/BBC | 1983 | |
| 6005 | GDe 4/4 | SLM/BBC | 1983 | Ex-TPF (GFM) No.101 Ville de Bulle, Sold to MOB April 2007, Name removed March 2008. Repainted in "Golden Pass" livery, May 2011. | |
| 6006 | GDe 4/4 | SLM/BBC | 1983 | Ex-TPF (GFM) No.102 Neirivue, Sold to MOB April 2007, Name removed June 2009. Carries vinyl overlays advertising "www.login.ch", "700 railway appreticeships this year". | |
| 8001 | Ge 4/4 | SLM/ABB | 1994 | Livery: Gstaad Mountain Rides. | |
| 8002 | Ge 4/4 | SLM/ABB | 1994 | Livery: Golden Pass Line livery. | |
| 8003 | Ge 4/4 | SLM/ABB | 1994 | Livery: Mehenuin Festival, Gstaad. | |
| 8004 | Ge 4/4 | SLM/ABB | 1994 | Livery: Golden Pass Line livery. | |
Withdrawn and Preserved Items
| No. | Name | Class | Builders details | Date Built | Notes. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tm 2/2 | O&K, Berlin | 1930 | Chemin de fer-musee Blonay-Chamby, 2006. | |
| 2 | Heinrich II | Tm 2/2 | KHD | 1953 | Ex-Juist Island (Germany); to Chemin de Fer de la Somme. |
| 11 | BCFe 4/4 | SIG/Alioth | 1905 | Chemin de fer-musee Blonay-Chamby, 1999. | |
| 26 | BFZe 4/4 | SIG/Alioth | 1914 | 1995 to Modellbahngruppe Obersimmental-Sannenland, stabled on line at Saanen. Repainted blue/cream livery, May 2008 | |
| 27 | De 4/4 | SIG/BBC | 1924 | Engineers Dept., scrapped July 2002 | |
| 36 | BDe 4/4 | SIG/SWS/VBW/MFO | 1913 | Rebuilt 1951, 2007 handed over to association "Ds Blaue Bähnli" who plan to return it back to Bern - Worb. | |
| 37 | BDe 4/4 | SIG/SWS/VBW/MFO | 1913 | Rebuilt 1958, scrapped July 2000 | |
| 61 | B4 | SIG | 1906 | Pre-1956 Second Class saloon coach, 1979 to Modellbahngruppe Obersimmental-Sannenland, stabled on line at Saanen. Repainted blue/cream livery, May 2008 | |
| 529 | K (Gk) | Busch, Bautzen | 1905 | 1995 to Modellbahngruppe Obersimmental-Sannenland, stabled on line at Saanen. | |
| 1004 | Scrapped 1996 | ||||
| 1005 | Scrapped 1996 | ||||
| 1006 | SWS/SAAS | Preserved at VBW | |||
| 2002 | DZe 6/6 | SIG/BBC | 1932 | Works No.3702., to Blonay-Chamby 2008 | |
| 3003 | BDe 4/4 | SIG/BBC | Scrapped 1996 | ||
| 3004 | Be 4/4 | SWS/SAAS | 1944 | Built and painted special livery for the Super Panorama Express. | |
Note 1: Class Be 4/4 after rebuild operate as the centre-car (non driving motor) of a three-car set made up as Bt - BDe4/4 - ABt. The Bt vehicles are numbered 241 - 244 and the ABt vehicles 341 - 344. Bt242 carries R+J Builders plate 70671 - 2005.
Note 2: Class Be 2/6, No's 7001 to 7004, are listed under the stock owned by the Chemins de fer électriques Veveysans
Chemins de fer électriques Veveysans
The Chemins de fer électriques Veveysans built and operated narrow gauge lines from Vevey to Blonay, Chamby, Châtel-St-Denis and Les Pléiades. The first section to see service, that from Vevey to Chamby, was opened on 1 October 1902. Next section was the branch line from St-Légier to...
(CEV) but they also work short journeys over the MOB from Montreux to Fontanivent, Sonzier and Les Avents.
Abbreviations
- ABB/BBC Asea-Brown-Boveri AG / Brown, Boveri & CieBrown, Boveri & CieBrown, Boveri & Cie was a Swiss group of electrical engineering companies.It was founded in Baden, Switzerland, in 1891 by Charles Eugene Lancelot Brown and Walter Boveri who worked at the Maschinenfabrik Oerlikon. In 1970 BBC took over the Maschinenfabrik Oerlikon...
- ACMV Ateliers de constructions mécaniques de VeveyAteliers de Constructions Mécaniques de VeveyAteliers de constructions mécaniques de Vevey was an metal engineering company based in Vevey, Switzerland. Founded as Ateliers B.Roy & Cie in 1848 by Benjamin Roy it became Ateliers de constructions mécaniques de Vevey SA in 1895....
- O&K Orenstein & Koppel
- R+J Ramseier and Jenzer, Biel.
- SAAS Société Anonyme des Ateliers de Sécheron, Geneva.
- SLM Swiss Locomotive and Machine WorksSwiss Locomotive and Machine WorksSwiss Locomotive and Machine Works were a railway equipment manufacturer based in Winterthur in Switzerland...
, Winterthur - SIG Schweizerische Industriegesellschaft, Neuhausen am Rheinfall
- SWS Schweizerische Wagons- und Aufzügefabrik, Schlieren ZH
Livery
In 2009 a decision was made to change the livery on all rolling stock except for the Golden Pass Panorama and Golden Pass Classic trains. This was to include the various railways and funiculars marketed under the "Golden Pass" banner and the buses operated by the company. The colour scheme is to be a gold (lower portion) and white (upper portion) with all stock being rebranded "Golden Pass". The new colours will be applied to the stock as it passes through works, although the "Golden Pass" logo will be applied as soon as practicable. The first vehicle to be reliveried, First / Second Composite Coach AB307, appeared in traffic on 27th August 2010 (1).- (Source : Journal de Pays d'Enhaut, 1st October 2009)
- ((1) Source : Journal de Pays d'Enhaut, 26th August 2010)
Passenger rolling stock
The passenger carrying rolling stock can be divided into the categories: "Classic", "Panoramic", "Ordinary" and "Saanenland".Classic stock
"Classic" stock are six Pullman type coaches, two from 1914 and four rebuilt in 2004-06 on structures from 1964. Details are as follows:- Type Ars : Belle Epoque, First Class saloon built in 1914, No. 101. Along with As 102 this normally works as part of the "Chocolate Train" formation.
- Type As : Belle Epoque, First Class saloon with 36 seats, built in 1914, No. 102. This coach served as prototype for the CIWL coaches and also for the rebuilds of 2004-06. Along with Ars 101 this is normally to be found in the "Chocolate Train" formation.
- Type As : Pullman Saloon Car, First Class Nos. 103 and 107. Built in 1964 and rebuilt in 2004/05, Air Conditioned. No. 103 has 36 seats, No. 107 has 38.
- Type Brs : Second Class Pullman "Cave Car" (Buffet), No. 201. Built in 1964 and rebuilt in 2005 with air conditioning and seats for 47 passengers.
- Type Bs : Second Class Pullman Saloon Car, No. 202. Built in 1964 and rebuilt in 2006 with air conditioning and seats for 56 passengers.
Panoramic stock
"Panoramic" stock is that used on the Golden Pass Panoramic services and includes the observation vehicles used at each end of train when the locomotive is centrally situated. Most "panoramic" coaching stock has been built by the former Biel-based coach work builder Ramseier+Jenzer. All coaches are air conditioned.These include:
| R+J | As 110 1976 |
As 111 1979 |
As 112 1982 |
As 113 1983 |
As 114 1983 |
Ars 115 now 228 |
Ast 116 1985 |
Ast 117 1986 |
As 118 1992 |
As 119 1993 |
| Breda | Arst 151 1993 |
Arst 152 1993 |
As 153 now 251 |
As 154 now 252 |
||||||
| R+J | BDs 220 1979 (a) |
Brs 221 1979 |
Bs 222 1982 |
Bs 223 1982 |
BDs 224 1982 |
BDs 225 1983 |
Bs 226 1989 |
Bs 227 1990 |
Brs 228 1985/95 |
|
| Breda | Bs 251 1993 |
Bs 252 1993 |
||||||||
- Type As : First Class saloon coach, Nos. 110, 111, 112, 114, built 1976-83 and 118-119, built 1992-93. These coaches were originally seated 2+2 but since been changed to 2+1, reducing their seating capacitySeating capacitySeating capacity refers to the number of people who can be seated in a specific space, both in terms of the physical space available, and in terms of limitations set by law. Seating capacity can be used in the description of anything ranging from an automobile that seats two to a stadium that seats...
to 33. Coach No.110 was the last of these coaches to carry the dark blue and cream livery and have the 2+2 seating. It entered Chernex workshops in early May 2008 for rebuilding and returned to service at the end of September. - Type Ast : First Class Observation Car, Nos. 116 (named Lausanne) and 117 (named Château-d'Oex), built 1985-86. These vehicles have 8 seats in the "Observation Dome", now facing Montreux.
- Type Arst: First Class Observation Car, Nos., 151 and 152, built in 1993 by Breda. With a seating capacitySeating capacitySeating capacity refers to the number of people who can be seated in a specific space, both in terms of the physical space available, and in terms of limitations set by law. Seating capacity can be used in the description of anything ranging from an automobile that seats two to a stadium that seats...
of 27 plus 8 seats within the "Observation Dome", now facing Zweisimmen. - Type Bs : Second Class saloon, Nos. 251 and 252, built in 1993 by Breda as As 153-154. With a seating capacitySeating capacitySeating capacity refers to the number of people who can be seated in a specific space, both in terms of the physical space available, and in terms of limitations set by law. Seating capacity can be used in the description of anything ranging from an automobile that seats two to a stadium that seats...
of 48. These coaches were nearly identical to those delivered to FO and BVZ, now Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn (MGB). - Type Bs : Second Class saloon, Nos. 222, 223, built 1982 and 226, 227 built 1989.
- Type BDs : Second Class saloon with disabled compartment and wheelchair lift, Nos. 220 (a), 224 and 225, built 1979-83, rebuilt 2001-02.
- Type Brs : Second Class buffet, Nos. 221 and 228, built 1979 and 1985 (as Ars 115) and rebuilt 1987/95.
Note (a). BDs No.220 was outshopped from Chernex in late June 2010, following a press demonstration the previous month, as the first vehicle to be fitted on axle-less, dual gauge
Dual gauge
A dual-gauge or mixed-gauge railway has railway track that allows trains of different gauges to use the same track. Generally, a dual-gauge railway consists of three rails, rather than the standard two rails. The two outer rails give the wider gauge, while one of the outer rails and the inner rail...
bogies to be tested in readyness for the through running to Interlaken.
Ordinary stock
The "Ordinary" stock is used on all services not operated by the Panoramic and Classic coaches. These are painted in a light blue and cream livery and can be hauled by locomotives or railcars. They also include driving trailers (Voiture pilote). These comprise of:- Type ABt : Driving Trailer Composite, Nos. 5301 to 5304. Withdrawn and rebuilt with new bodies and bogies by R+J / Raility, renumbered 341 to 344 as part of "Saanenland" sets 5001 to 5004 inc. (See Below)
- Type ABDt: Driving Trailer Composite with guards/luggage compartment, No. 3301 (At July 2009 working with 3001 in Engineers Dept. use).
- Type A : First Class saloon, Nos. 105 and 106. (No.A105 was made available for sale in Spring 2010, No.A106 was repainted in "Golden Pass" livery, Spring 2011).
- Type AB : First/Second Composite, Nos. 303 to 308. AB307 became the first vehicle to outshopped in the new gold/white livery in August 2010.
- Type B : Second Class saloon, No. 207, "Marmotte Paradis" (Rochers de Naye) Livery. This coach, along with A105, was made available for sale in Spring 2010.
- Type B : Second Class saloon, No. 208, Painted in a special livery depicting road transport from the stagecoach to the early motor car. Lettered "Saanenland - Enhaut".
- Type B : Second Class saloon, Nos. 203, 209 to 213 and 215 to 218.
- Type B : Second Class saloon, No. 214. Painted in a white livery advertising KPT, the insurers of the MOB.
- Type BD : Second Class saloon with guards/parcels compartment, Nos. 204 to 206
- Type BD : Short, Single Second Class saloon with guards/parcels compartment, Nos.32 and 33.
- Type D : Short length, Guards / Parcels / Cycle vehicle, No. 31
Saanenland stock
"Saanenland" stock is specially liveried for work over the Zweissimmen to Lenk line and local services between Zweissimmen and Saanen. The stock works in conjunction with motor vehicles of type Be 4/4, Nos. 5001-4 and these sets are usually worked as fixed formations of Bt-Be 4/4-ABt, the first being ready for traffic in 2004 was 243-5003-343. 244-5004-344 followed in 2006 and 242-5002-342 left Chernex works for traffic on 20 August 2008. The final unit, No. 241 - 5001 - 341 left Chernex on 7 July 2009 and was seen in Zweissimann two days later having worked a service from Montreux. The driving trailers that replaced ABt 5301-04 are:- Type Bt : Second class driving trailer, Nos. 241 to 244.
- Type ABt: First / Second Composite driving trailer, Nos. 341 to 344.
x43 and x44 were built by Ramseier+Jenzer and fitted with SIG-type bogies, x41 and x42 are built by Raility, the successor company of R+J, and will receive Alstom Centro 1000 bogies with air suspension on delivery.
New stock on order
On 22 June 2007 the MOB gave details to the press that it had placed orders with Raility of Biel for eight new air-conditioned coaches with large panoramic windows and low-floor access and seating. The coaches will have standard-level seating at the vestibule ends, with a central section of low-floor seating containing the access doors which will assist those with restricted mobility. They will also contain handicapped-accessible toilets. The coaches will be fitted with a new type of bogie "Centro 1000" incorporating air suspension, produced by Alstom. The first of these, number Bs230, was delivered from Chernex works into traffic during mid-May 2010. The livery is all over white with the lettering in gold showing the new "golden pass" symbol and lettered Transgoldenpass. The blue lettering "bls" is also featured. the second of the coaches is expected to be ready for traffic in June 2010. Four of the new coaches will be put between the two halves of ABDe 8/8 4001-4004, forming three-car-EMUs.The first of these to enter full revenue - earning service did so in mid-December 2010 when 231 and 232 were formed as a regular part of the "Golden Pass Panorama" trains 3118/2119/2128/2131
Source : MOB/Raility press release together with personal observation.
Variable gauge bogies
On 18 May 2010, MOB invited press and officials to demonstrate the first Panoramic coach (BDs 220) fitted with variable gauge bogieBogie
A bogie is a wheeled wagon or trolley. In mechanics terms, a bogie is a chassis or framework carrying wheels, attached to a vehicle. It can be fixed in place, as on a cargo truck, mounted on a swivel, as on a railway carriage/car or locomotive, or sprung as in the suspension of a caterpillar...
s to allow through running across the 1000 mm/1435 mm break-of-gauge
Break-of-gauge
With railways, a break-of-gauge occurs where a line of one gauge meets a line of a different gauge. Trains and rolling stock cannot run through without some form of conversion between gauges, and freight and passengers must otherwise be transloaded...
. The axle-less bogie was developed by MOB and engineered by Prose of Winterthur
Winterthur
Winterthur is a city in the canton of Zurich in northern Switzerland. It has the country's sixth largest population with an estimate of more than 100,000 people. In the local dialect and by its inhabitants, it is usually abbreviated to Winti...
. Some components were designed for the Centro 1000 bogie and built by Alstom. Apart from changing the gauge, the bogies also adjust the height of the coaches to suit the different platform
Railway platform
A railway platform is a section of pathway, alongside rail tracks at a train station, metro station or tram stop, at which passengers may board or alight from trains or trams. Almost all stations for rail transport have some form of platforms, with larger stations having multiple platforms...
heights on the two gauges. MOB announced commercial service with variable gauge trains for 2015.
External links
Sources
- Michel Grandguillaume, Gérald Hadorn, Sébastien Jarne and Jean-Louis Rochaix: Chemin de fer Montreux Oberland Bernois. Du Léman au Pays-d'Enhaut, Vol 1. Bureau vaudois d'adresses (BVA), Lausanne, ISBN 2-88125-008-4
- Michel Grandguillaume, Gérald Hadorn, Sébastien Jarne and Jean-Louis Rochaix: Chemin de fer Montreux Oberland Bernois, Du Léman au Pays-d'Enhaut, Vol 2. Bureau vaudois d'adresses (BVA), Lausanne, ISBN 2-88125-009-2
- 75 Jahre MOB, 75 ans MOB, 1901–1976. (Bilingual: French and German), Chemin de fer Montreux-Oberland Bernois (MOB), Montreux, 1976, no ISBN.
- Edward W. Paget Tomlinson, Roger Kaller and Pierre Stauffer: Die Montreux-Berner Oberland-Bahn, Le Montreux-Oberland Bernois, The Montreux-Oberland Bernois Railway. (Trilingual: English, French and German), Chemin de fer Montreux-Oberland Bernois (MOB), Montreux, 1985, no ISBN.
- Jean-Michel Hartmann: Zauber der MOB, Magie du MOB. (Bilingual: Franch and German), Ott Verlag, Thun, 1985. ISBN 3-7225-6331-3