Clarens-Chailly-Blonay

CCB Clarens Gambetta

CCB Ce 2/2 3 in Clarens. 1951

CCB Clarens-CFF. 1955

CCB Ce 2/2  1 at  Clarens-CFF. 1955 Photo  E. Gfeller

Clarens CFF 1955

CCB Chailly.  1950

CCB Fontanivent 1950

CCB Fontanivent 1950

CCB Fontaivent 1952

CCB Fontanivent 1955

CCB Fontanivent trackbed

CCB Last piece of track Fontanivent

CCB Blonay 1955

FACEBOOK - SWISS NARROW GAUGE RAILWAYS AND TRAMWAYS

The book that got me into Swiss railways and tramways was Cecil J Allen's Switzerland's Amazing Railways, I think I had the first edition which included maps across the covers. I was amazed by the network of lines around Lake Geneva and was disappointed to discover that many of them had closed by the time I visited Switzerland in 1976 - although just as many, if not more, remained open. There seemed to be a particularly dense network around Vevey and Montreux, and most of my stays in Switzerland (probably over 50 now!) have been in the mountains above these lakeside towns.

So although I was aware of these lines it's been a nightmare trying to find any information or photos of them - until yesterday when I discovered this fantastic website! So a bit of translation and photo choosing has led to this, the first of what I expect to be many articles on Swiss closed lines!

I am always more than happy to add more information and photos (fully acknowledged of course) including pictures of any remains of the lines or rolling stock, memorabilia etc. Also if you have any other information sources (any language) I would love to see them!

History

The CF Clarens-Chailly-Blonay connected the coastal town of Clarens with stations at Fontanivent and Blonay on the Montreux-Oberland-Bernoise line (MOB).  The line was metre gauge and opened from Clarens Pl. Gambetta to Blonay on 23.11.1911 and from Clarens Pl. Gambetta to Schiffstation on 4.07.1915. Maintenance of equipment and rolling stock was undertaken by the MOB. The short section from Clarens Pl. Gambetta - Schiffstation on 31.10.1943 and the remainder of the line on 31.12.1955. A VMCV bus route replaced the tramway. The line was just 5.6km long, 3.5km on street.

Route

From the landing stage at Clarens the VMCV (Vevey-Montreux-Chillon-Villeneuve) tracks were reached immediately and these were used as far as Place Gambetta. From here the tracks left the vMCV and headed north steeply towards Blonay. The tracks passed under the SBB via an underpass and on to Tavel, continuing to Chailly. Here the tracks turned eastwards, went through vineyards then joined the route of the MOB. The tracks of both lines then paralleled each other to Fontanivent. From here street tracks to the trams to Brent and Blonay, where the CCB had its own station, close to but separate from the MOB station.

Stations

Station/halt Distance   Height asl (m)

Clarens Lac     0,0            378  
Clarens Gambetta     0,2            382  
Clarens SBB     0,5            402  
Tavel     0,9            423  
Chailly     1,9            474  
Fontanivent  (MOB) 3,5            555
Brent     4,0            566  
Blonay     5,6            620

Rolling stock

Tramcars

type no            year suppliers

Ce 2/2 1 1911 SIG/MFO
Ce 2/2 2 1911 SIG/MFO
Ce 2/2 3 1911 SIG/MFO

passenger cars

type no         year         suppliers

C 11 1896 SIG
C 12 1896 SIG
C 14 1896 SIG

freight wagons

type no model year          suppliers

M 1 2 2 1913 ACMV
M 2 2 2 1913 ACMV

Remains

A tiny section of track remains at Fontanivent used by the MOB as a siding. There is also a short tunnel at Fontanivent, sealed at one end, together with the tunnel under the MOB. Much of the rest has disappeared as it ran on street.

Source

http://www.eingestellte-bahnen.ch/636/19785.html