Aigle–Ollon–Monthey–Champéry railway line explained

Aigle–Ollon-Monthey-Champéry
Open:1907-1908
Depot:Aigle
Linelength Km:23.138
Gauge:Metre
Maxincline:13.5 %
Elevation:1047abbr=onNaNabbr=on
Map State:collapsed

The Aigle–Ollon–Monthey–Champéry railway line is a metre-gauge railway line in the Chablais region of Switzerland. It was originally built by the Chemin de fer Aigle–Ollon–Monthey (AOM) in 1907–1908. Ownership passed to the Chemin de fer Aigle-Ollon-Monthey-Champéry (AOMC) in 1946. Today, it is part of the Transports Publics du Chablais. Trains originate from bay platforms at, adjacent to the Simplon line of Swiss Federal Railways.

History

The original intention had been to construct a railway from Aigle to Villars via Ollon and the concession was awarded on 27 April 1897. The Chemin de fer Bex-Gryon-Villars, however, strongly objected to the new line, arguing that there was insufficient traffic for two lines to serve Villars. After listening to the arguments, the federal authorities agreed and the original concession was withdrawn to be replaced by a new one for a line from Aigle to Monthey via Ollon. Concession to build the line was awarded on 6 February 1899 and was followed by that for a line from Monthey to Champéry on 22 June of the same year. The latter would be built by the Chemin de fer Monthey-Champéry-Morgins (MCM).

The AOM opened to traffic on 3 April 1907. Construction of the line to Champéry was slower and this was not ready for traffic by the time of the opening of the AOM, but took place on 30 January 1908. The plans for a line from the village of Val d'Illiez to Morgins were scrapped following poor profit forecasts.

From 1 January 1946 the two companies amalgamated to form the AOMC and plans were put forward to bring the line up to date. With regard to the rolling stock for the line, this meant the construction of four new railcars of Series BDeh4/4, numbered 511–4, which were delivered in 1954.

Passenger rolling stock has been regularly updated since that time, with the latest delivery, two twin-car railcars (numbered 591 and 592), arriving in 2001.

Although the line to Morgins was not built, the present day system does include a short, one kilometre section from the town station in Champéry to Champéry-Planachaux, where a lift forms part of the public access to the mountains.

Nowadays the AOMC is part of a larger, regional system operated, along with local bus services, by the Transports Publics du Chablais.

The line

The line, built to a metre gauge, is 23.142NaN2 in length of which 3.663NaN3 is operated on the Strub rack system at a maximum gradient of 13.5%. The line rises from 4041NaN1 at Aigle to a height of 10491NaN1 at Champéry, a total rise of 6451NaN1. It is electrically operated by overhead contact at 850 V DC.

Important investment plans were developed by the AOMC in 1995. One plan involved the construction of a large maintenance workshop and stockholding facility. This work was completed and opened by the TPC in 2001. The new dépôt at En Châlex, alongside the line a short distance east of Aigle has over 26,500 sq.m. of space available for workshops and nowadays is the main depot for the three TPC narrow gauge lines in Aigle. Space is also available on the site for expansion in the future should this be required. In 2006 the TPC commenced a programme of building works at Aigle in collaboration with the CFF/SBB/FFS. This was to bring together all three of the metre gauge lines at new platforms adjacent to those of the main line company. Work was completed in early 2007 when the services were brought together; the AOCM making use of the two platforms nearest the main line. These platforms feature new lighting and public address systems and have easy access from the town's Place de la Gare.

Rolling stock

Vehicle TypeRunning No.NameSeries No.BuilderDateRebuiltNotes
Automotrice 101Yvorne Be 4/4 Schindler/BBC 19661985Ex-BTB No.14, Adhesion only
Automotrice 102Chablais Be 4/4 Schindler/BBC 19661985Ex-BTB No.12, Adhesion only
Automotrice 103Collombey-Muraz Be 4/4 Schindler/BBC 19661985Ex-BTB No.13, Adhesion only
Automotrice 104Ollon Be 4/4 Schindler/BBC 19661985Ex-BTB / scrapped 2007
Automotice 105Aigle Be 4/4 Schindler/BBC 19661985Ex-BTB No.11, Adhesion only
Automotrice 501Vaud BDeh 4/4 ACMV/SLM/BBC 1986(a)
Automotrice 502Valais BDeh 4/4 ACMV/SLM/BBC 1987(a)
Automotrice 503Europe BDeh 4/4 ACMV/SLM/BBC 1992
Automotrice 511Champéry BDeh 4/4 Schindler/BBC 1954Rack equipped, Out of order
Automotrice 512Val d'Illiez BDeh 4/4 Schindler/BBC 1954Rack equipped
Automotrice 513Monthey BDeh 4/4 Schindler/BBC 1954Rack equipped
Automotrice 514Troistorrents BDeh 4/4 Schindler/BBC 1954Rack equipped
Automotrice-Double591Beh 4/8 2001Rack equipped
Automotrice-Double592Portes-du-SoleilBeh 4/8 BT/Stadler 2001Rack equipped
Voiture pilote 132Bt Schindler/BBC 19661985Driving Trailer
Voiture pilote 133Bt Schindler/BBC 19661985Driving Trailer / scrapped 2007
Voiture pilote 134Bt Schindler/BBC 19661985Driving Trailer
Voiture pilote 531Bt ACMV/BBC 1987Driving Trailer (a)
Voiture pilote 532Bt ACMV/BBC 1987
Voiture voyageur 122B2 19322nd class coach/now VFV
Voiture voyageur 523B ACMV 19672nd class coach (b)
Voiture voyageur 524B ACMV 19682nd class coach (b)
Voiture voyageur 525B ACMV 19692nd class coach (b)

Abbreviations