Montreux railway station
Encyclopedia
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 GoldenPass Line narrow gauge
railway lines to Zweisimmen
and to Rochers de Naye
.
(JS) opened the Lausanne
–Villeneuve
section of its standard gauge Simplon railway line to Sion
. This line is now owned and operated by SBB-CFF-FFS
.
In 1901, the station became a junction station
upon the opening of the first section of the metre gauge
Montreux-Oberland Bernois railway
(MOB), between Montreux and its higher altitude suburb of Les Avants
. In 1903, the MOB was extended to Montbovon.
In 1909, the Glion–Montreux section of the Montreux–Glion–Rochers-de-Naye rack railway was opened, as an extension of the Glion–Rochers-de-Naye railway, opened in 1892. It is now operated by Transports Montreux–Vevey–Riviera.
Access to and from Montreux's main street, Grand Rue, is by escalators, elevators and stairs. The Rue de la Gare provides access to and from the old town, which is divided from the lake shore by the standard gauge railway tracks.
Secondly, access from the station building to the railway platforms is from the second floor, not the ground floor, due to the slope of the city, while the service facilities are at ground floor level, and access to the underpass can be found on the first floor.
Apart from these unusual features, the station also lacks a track 2. In the past, the designation track 2 was allocated to a passing loop not equipped with a platform. However, in 2006, as part of work done to increase the height of the platforms to 55 centimetres (21.7 in), this track was provided with a platform and renamed track 1, and the former platform 1 was removed.
The SBB-CFF-FFS serves the main platform with track 1, and also operates track 3, which, together with the MOB tracks 4 (east half) and 5 (western half), serves a centre platform. Track 4 partially divides that platform in two.
Tracks 6, 7 and 8 serve a further central platform, which is similarly partially divided in two by track 7. Track 8, operated by the MVR, is situated underneath both a hotel and the MOB/MVR headquarters, known as the GoldenPass Centre.
Whereas tracks 4 and 7 are used by regional traffic to and from Fontanivent, Sonzier and Les Avants
, tracks 5 and 6 are for trains to and from Zweisimmen
.
– Visp
– Sion – Martigny – Aigle – Montreux – Lausanne
– Vallorbe
– Dijon
– Paris-Gare de Lyon
(seasonal) Geneva
-Cornavin
– Lausanne – Montreux – Sion – Brig – Domodossola
– Milano Centrale (– Venezia Santa Lucia
) (four times daily, one train pair to Venice) Genf Flughafen
– Geneva – Lausanne – Vevey
– Montreux – Aigle – Sion – Sierre
- Leuk
– Visp – Brig (twice hourly, one of them with additional stops at Gland, Renens
, Bex
and Saint-Maurice) Saint-Maurice – Aigle – Montreux – Vevey – Lausanne (combined during peak times)
serves Montreux every hour with two lines: Yverdon-les-Bains
– Lausanne – Vevey – La Tour-de-Peilz
– Clarens
– Montreux – Veytaux-Chillon – Villeneuve
Allaman
– Lausanne – Vevey – Montreux – Villeneuve (runs faster between Lausanne and Montreux)
– Gstaad
– Zweisimmen
(– Lenk
) Montreux – Fontanivent (hourly, weekdays only) Montreux – Sonzier (hourly)
This article is based upon a translation of the German language version as at November 2010.
Municipalities of Switzerland
Communes , also known as municipalities, are the smallest government division in Switzerland, numbering 2,596 . While many have a population of a few hundred citizens, the largest cities such as Zürich or Geneva also have the legal status of municipalities...
of 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 :...
, in the 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,...
, 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....
.
All of the SBB-CFF-FFS
SBB-CFF-FFS
Swiss Federal Railways and SFR are not in official use) is the national railway company of Switzerland headquartered in Bern. Formerly a government institution, it is since 1999 a special stock corporation with all shares held by the Swiss Confederation or the Swiss cantons...
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...
passenger trains operating on the Simplon railway line call at this station, which is also the western terminus of the GoldenPass Line narrow gauge
Narrow gauge
A narrow gauge railway is a railway that has a track gauge narrower than the of standard gauge railways. Most existing narrow gauge railways have gauges of between and .- Overview :...
railway lines to 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...
and to 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....
.
History
Montreux railway station was opened in 1861, when the then Jura–Simplon RailwayJura–Simplon Railway
The Jura–Simplon Railway , was a former Swiss rail company, formed in 1890 and absorbed into the Swiss Federal Railways in 1903.-History:...
(JS) opened the Lausanne
Lausanne railway station
Lausanne railway station is the main intercity and regional railway station for the city of Lausanne, Vaud, Switzerland. It is often known as Lausanne CFF to distinguish it from others in the town....
–Villeneuve
Villeneuve, Vaud
Villeneuve is a municipality of the canton of Vaud in Switzerland, located in the district of Aigle.-Geography:Villeneuve has an area, , of . Of this area, or 26.7% is used for agricultural purposes, while or 55.2% is forested...
section of its standard gauge Simplon railway line to Sion
Sion, Switzerland
Sion is the capital of the Swiss canton of Valais. it had a population of .Landmarks include the Basilique de Valère and Château de Tourbillon. Sion has an airfield for civilian and military use, which, because of its location in a valley, causes a reasonable amount of noise pollution. FC Sion...
. This line is now owned and operated by SBB-CFF-FFS
SBB-CFF-FFS
Swiss Federal Railways and SFR are not in official use) is the national railway company of Switzerland headquartered in Bern. Formerly a government institution, it is since 1999 a special stock corporation with all shares held by the Swiss Confederation or the Swiss cantons...
.
In 1901, the station became a junction station
Junction (rail)
A junction, in the context of rail transport, is a place at which two or more rail routes converge or diverge.This implies a physical connection between the tracks of the two routes , 'points' and signalling.one or two tracks each meet at a junction, a fairly simple layout of tracks suffices to...
upon the opening of the first section of the metre 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...
Montreux-Oberland Bernois railway
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...
(MOB), between Montreux and its higher altitude suburb of 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....
. In 1903, the MOB was extended to Montbovon.
In 1909, the Glion–Montreux section of the Montreux–Glion–Rochers-de-Naye rack railway was opened, as an extension of the Glion–Rochers-de-Naye railway, opened in 1892. It is now operated by Transports Montreux–Vevey–Riviera.
Location
The station is on a hillside above the lake.Access to and from Montreux's main street, Grand Rue, is by escalators, elevators and stairs. The Rue de la Gare provides access to and from the old town, which is divided from the lake shore by the standard gauge railway tracks.
Layout
The station complex is in many ways a rarity. For a start, Montreux is the only station in Switzerland served by three different rail gauges: SBB-CFF-FFS , MOB and MVR .Secondly, access from the station building to the railway platforms is from the second floor, not the ground floor, due to the slope of the city, while the service facilities are at ground floor level, and access to the underpass can be found on the first floor.
Apart from these unusual features, the station also lacks a track 2. In the past, the designation track 2 was allocated to a passing loop not equipped with a platform. However, in 2006, as part of work done to increase the height of the platforms to 55 centimetres (21.7 in), this track was provided with a platform and renamed track 1, and the former platform 1 was removed.
The SBB-CFF-FFS serves the main platform with track 1, and also operates track 3, which, together with the MOB tracks 4 (east half) and 5 (western half), serves a centre platform. Track 4 partially divides that platform in two.
Tracks 6, 7 and 8 serve a further central platform, which is similarly partially divided in two by track 7. Track 8, operated by the MVR, is situated underneath both a hotel and the MOB/MVR headquarters, known as the GoldenPass Centre.
Whereas tracks 4 and 7 are used by regional traffic to and from Fontanivent, Sonzier and 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....
, tracks 5 and 6 are for trains to and from 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...
.
Long distance
BrigBrig railway station
Brig railway station is an important railway junction in the municipality of Brig-Glis , in the Canton of Valais, Switzerland...
– Visp
Visp railway station
Visp railway station is a junction station at Visp , in the Canton of Valais, Switzerland. It has a modern station building completed in 2007, and is served by two standard gauge lines and a metre gauge line....
– Sion – Martigny – Aigle – Montreux – Lausanne
Lausanne railway station
Lausanne railway station is the main intercity and regional railway station for the city of Lausanne, Vaud, Switzerland. It is often known as Lausanne CFF to distinguish it from others in the town....
– Vallorbe
Vallorbe
Vallorbe is a municipality in the district of Jura-Nord Vaudois in the canton of Vaud in Switzerland.-History:Vallorbe is first mentioned in 1139 as de valle urbanensi. In 1148 it was mentioned as de valle urbe.-Geography:...
– Dijon
Gare de Dijon-Ville
Gare de Dijon-Ville is the main railway station serving the city Dijon, Côte-d'Or department, eastern France. It is situated on the Paris–Marseille railway.-Services:-References:*...
– Paris-Gare de Lyon
Paris-Gare de Lyon
Paris Lyon is one of the six large railway termini in Paris, France. It is the northern terminus of the Paris–Marseille railway. It is named after the city of Lyon, a stop for many long-distance trains departing here, most en route to the south of France. In general the station's SNCF services run...
(seasonal) Geneva
Geneva
Geneva In the national languages of Switzerland the city is known as Genf , Ginevra and Genevra is the second-most-populous city in Switzerland and is the most populous city of Romandie, the French-speaking part of Switzerland...
-Cornavin
Gare de Cornavin
Genève-Cornavin is Geneva's main railway station, located in the centre of the city...
– Lausanne – Montreux – Sion – Brig – Domodossola
Domodossola
Domodossola is a city and comune in the Province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola, in the region of Piedmont, northern Italy...
– Milano Centrale (– Venezia Santa Lucia
Venezia Santa Lucia railway station
Venezia Santa Lucia railway station is a terminal station serving the comune of Venice, Italy. It is also the only railway station in the historic city of Venice ....
) (four times daily, one train pair to Venice) Genf Flughafen
Geneva Airport railway station
Geneva Airport railway station is a railway station located under the terminal of the Geneva International Airport , in Grand-Saconnex, Geneva, Switzerland....
– Geneva – Lausanne – Vevey
Vevey railway station
Vevey railway station is a public transport hub not far from the shore of Lake Geneva. It serves the municipality of Vevey, in the Canton of Vaud, Switzerland....
– Montreux – Aigle – Sion – Sierre
Sierre
Sierre is the capital of the district of Sierre in the canton of Valais in Switzerland. It has a population of 14,355.It is situated on the French–German language border of the canton of Wallis...
- Leuk
Leuk
Leuk is a municipality in the district of Leuk in the canton of Valais in Switzerland.Since it controls access to the Gemmi Pass, it had some importance from the time of Roman Raetia. The Leukerbad thermal baths are just North of Leuk, towards the pass...
– Visp – Brig (twice hourly, one of them with additional stops at Gland, Renens
Renens
Renens is a municipality in the canton of Vaud, Switzerland. It is located in the district of Ouest lausannois, and is a suburb of the city of Lausanne. It is the fourth largest city in the canton. It is considered a very multiethnic town, as more than 50% of the inhabitants are resident foreign...
, Bex
Bex
Bex is a municipality in the canton of Vaud, Switzerland, located in the district of Aigle. It is a few miles south of its sister town municipality of Aigle.-The Bex Salt Mine:Bex is the site of a famous salt mine....
and Saint-Maurice) Saint-Maurice – Aigle – Montreux – Vevey – Lausanne (combined during peak times)
REV
The Réseau Express Vaudois (REV)Léman RER
The Léman RER , referred to as S-Bahn Léman in German-speaking areas, is a planned commuter rail network for the cities of Lausanne and Geneva in west Switzerland.- Réseau Express Vaudois :...
serves Montreux every hour with two lines: Yverdon-les-Bains
Yverdon-les-Bains
Yverdon-les-Bains is a municipality in the district of Jura-Nord vaudois of the canton of Vaud in Switzerland. It is the seat of the district...
– Lausanne – Vevey – La Tour-de-Peilz
La Tour-de-Peilz
La Tour-de-Peilz is a municipality in Riviera-Pays-d'Enhaut District in the canton of Vaud in Switzerland. The city is located on Lake Geneva between Montreux and Vevey .-History:...
– Clarens
Clarens, Switzerland
Clarens is a small village in the municipality of Montreux, in the canton of Vaud, in Switzerland.Whilst in Clarens, the Russian composer Igor Stravinsky wrote his ballets The Rite of Spring and Pulcinella and in March 1878, Tchaikovsky wrote his Violin Concerto.Paul Kruger, hero of South African...
– Montreux – Veytaux-Chillon – Villeneuve
Villeneuve, Vaud
Villeneuve is a municipality of the canton of Vaud in Switzerland, located in the district of Aigle.-Geography:Villeneuve has an area, , of . Of this area, or 26.7% is used for agricultural purposes, while or 55.2% is forested...
Allaman
Allaman
Allaman is a municipality in the district of Morges in the canton of Vaud in Switzerland.The village is famous for the medieval Allaman Castle , built by the Count of Vaud in 1253.-Allaman Castle:...
– Lausanne – Vevey – Montreux – Villeneuve (runs faster between Lausanne and Montreux)
MOB
Montreux - Chernex - Chamby – Montbovon – Château-d’Œx – SaanenSaanen
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...
– 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....
– 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...
(– Lenk
Lenk im Simmental
Lenk im Simmental is a municipality in the Obersimmental-Saanen administrative district in the canton of Bern in Switzerland.-History:Lenk is first mentioned in 1370 as An der Leng....
) Montreux – Fontanivent (hourly, weekdays only) Montreux – Sonzier (hourly)
Bus traffic
A total of three VMCV bus stops serve the station:- Vernex-Dessus on lines 4,5 and 6;
- Montreux Gare on lines 4,5 and 6;
- Escalier de la Gare on line 1 (a trolleybusTrolleybusA trolleybus is an electric bus that draws its electricity from overhead wires using spring-loaded trolley poles. Two wires and poles are required to complete the electrical circuit...
line), access via escalators to Grand Boulevard.
See also
- MontreuxMontreuxMontreux 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 :...
- SBB-CFF-FFSSBB-CFF-FFSSwiss Federal Railways and SFR are not in official use) is the national railway company of Switzerland headquartered in Bern. Formerly a government institution, it is since 1999 a special stock corporation with all shares held by the Swiss Confederation or the Swiss cantons...
- Montreux-Oberland BernoisMontreux-Oberland BernoisThe 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...
- Transports Montreux–Vevey–Riviera
External links
- Goldenpass Services - official site
- SBB-CFF-FFS - official site
This article is based upon a translation of the German language version as at November 2010.