Chemin de fer funiculaire Vevey–Chardonne–Mont Pèlerin

Chemin de fer funiculaire Vevey–Chardonne–Mont Pèlerin
Overview
Type	Funicular
Technical
Line length	1,584 m (5,197 ft)
No. of tracks	Single track with passing loop
Track gauge	1,000 mm (3 ft 3 3⁄8 in)
Highest elevation	807 m (2,648 ft)
Maximum incline	54%

The lower station of the funicular

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 vineyards 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 1,000 mm (3 ft 3 ³⁄₈ in) (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 ft) at Vevey to 807 m (2,648 ft) at its summit, a total of 414 m (1,358 ft) over its 1,584 m (5,197 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.

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)

External links

• Media related to Chemin de fer funiculaire Vevey–Chardonne–Mont Pèlerin at Wikimedia Commons
• GoldenPass Services: Funicular Vevey–Chardonne–Mont-Pèlerin
• Funimag-article: VCP - Vevey Mont Pélerin