Chemin de fer funiculaire Vevey-Chardonne-Mont Pèlerin
Encyclopedia
The Chemin de fer funiculaire Vevey–Chardonne–Mont Pèlerin (VCP) is a funicular
which runs between Vevey
, a town on the north shore of Lake Geneva
, between Lausanne
and Montreux
through the Chardonne vineyard
s of the Lavaux region to the summit of Mont Pèlerin.
The line was constructed in 1899 and opened the following year. It is a single track
of (gauge
) with a passing point
but is unusual in that it has three intermediate halts, at Corseaux, Chardonne and la Baume. The line rises from 393 m (1,289.4 ft) at Vevey to 807 m (2,647.6 ft) at its summit, a total of 414 m (1,358.3 ft) over its 1584 m (5,196.9 ft) length, with a maximum gradient of 54% (1 in 1.84). Construction was by the Doppelmayr
Von Roll consortium. Nowadays the line, which is electrically operated, is automatic with a journey time of 10 minutes.
The carriages on the line are unusual in that there is just one compartment, but this is on four levels to allow for the gradient.
The operating company became part of the Transports Montreux-Vevey-Riviera (MVR)
in 2001 and is now marketed by the MOB (Montreux-Oberland Bernois
) company under their GoldenPass services banner.
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 between Vevey
Vevey
Vevey is a town in Switzerland in the canton Vaud, on the north shore of Lake Geneva, near Lausanne.It was the seat of the district of the same name until 2006, and is now part of the Riviera-Pays-d'Enhaut District...
, a town on the north shore of 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...
, between Lausanne
Lausanne
Lausanne is a city in Romandy, the French-speaking part of Switzerland, and is the capital of the canton of Vaud. The seat of the district of Lausanne, the city is situated on the shores of Lake Geneva . It faces the French town of Évian-les-Bains, with the Jura mountains to its north-west...
and 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 :...
through the Chardonne vineyard
Vineyard
A vineyard is a plantation of grape-bearing vines, grown mainly for winemaking, but also raisins, table grapes and non-alcoholic grape juice...
s of the Lavaux region to the summit of Mont Pèlerin.
The line was constructed in 1899 and opened the following year. It is a single track
Single track (rail)
A single track railway is where trains in both directions share the same track. Single track is normally used on lesser used rail lines, often branch lines, where the traffic density is not high enough to justify the cost of building double tracks....
of (gauge
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...
) with a passing point
Passing loop
A passing loop is a place on a single line railway or tramway, often located at a station, where trains or trams in opposing directions can pass each other. Trains/trams in the same direction can also overtake, providing that the signalling arrangement allows it...
but is unusual in that it has three intermediate halts, at Corseaux, Chardonne and la Baume. The line rises from 393 m (1,289.4 ft) at Vevey to 807 m (2,647.6 ft) at its summit, a total of 414 m (1,358.3 ft) over its 1584 m (5,196.9 ft) length, with a maximum gradient of 54% (1 in 1.84). Construction was by the Doppelmayr
Doppelmayr
The Doppelmayr Garaventa Group is an Austrian-Swiss company that manufactures chairlifts, cable cars, gondolas, surface tows for ski and amusement parks as well as urban people movers and material handling systems. To date, Doppelmayr and Garaventa have produced over 13,700 installations in 78...
Von Roll consortium. Nowadays the line, which is electrically operated, is automatic with a journey time of 10 minutes.
The carriages on the line are unusual in that there is just one compartment, but this is on four levels to allow for the gradient.
The operating company became part of the Transports Montreux-Vevey-Riviera (MVR)
Transports Montreux-Vevey-Riviera (MVR)
The Transports Montreux-Vevey-Riviera was a coming together, in 2001, of two small railway companies and two funicular companies in the Montreux / Vevey area of Switzerland. Some of these companies were, themselves, formed of amalgamations which had taken place over the years...
in 2001 and is now marketed by the MOB (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...
) company under their GoldenPass services banner.
Refurbishment
In the summer of 2009 the line was closed for major infrastructure work to be carried out and at the same time the two carriages refurbished and rebranded in "Golden Pass" livery. The work, which was completed by 25 September 2009, and which involved the technical services of the Golden Pass group together with private enterprise cost just over CHF 4.8 million. During the work a replacement bus service was provided (as far as possible) to cover for the funicular journeys. The Golden Pass identity for the funicular, it is hoped, will give it more of a national and international naming and it is hoped will bring in more visitors through this branding. The new colours of the carriages will be applied to other funiculars in the Golden Pass Group as well as buses and trains, other than the Golden Pass Panoramic and Golden Pass Classic which they operate.- (Source : Journal du Pays d'Enhaut, 1st October 2009)