Funiculaire Sierre–Montana–Crans Explained

Funiculaire Sierre-Montana-Crans
Other Name:Funiculaire SMC; Sierre-Montana-Crans; Sierre-Montana-Vermala; Funiculaire de Sierre à Montana-Vermala
Type:Funicular (before 1997: with 2 sections)
Status:In operation
Start:"Sierre/Siders (funi)" at Rue du Pradec 2
End:"Montana Gare" at Avenue de la Gare 28
Stations:4 (including "Venthône", "Bluche-Randogne"); 6 (before 2022)
Routenumber:2225
Event1label:Single section
Event3label:New tracks
Owner:Compagnie de Chemin de Fer et d'Autobus Sierre-Montana-Crans, (SMC) SA
Operator:SMC
Stock:2
Tracks:1 with passing loop
Electrification:from opening
Elevation M:1471
Website:cie-smc
Map State:uncollapsed

Funiculaire Sierre–Montana–Crans (abbreviated SMC) is a funicular railway in Valais, Switzerland. The line leads from Sierre at 540 m to Crans-Montana at 1471 m. The funicular has a single section of about 4300 m since 1997 making it the longest. Earlier, it had two sections with the break at St-Maurice-de-Laques. The funicular with two cars has a single track with a passing loop. The funicular was closed from March to December 2022 for new tracks and cars, fewer intermediate stations to allow 20-minute intervals and a journey time of 14 minutes.

The lower station is located near the Sierre/Siders railway station on the Simplon line. Intermediate stations are at Venthône and Bluche-Randogne.

The funicular was opened in 1911. The line is operated by "Compagnie de Chemin de Fer et d’Autobus Sierre-Montana-Crans (SMC) SA".

References