Montreux-Oberland Bernois
| Montreux–Oberland Bernois | |
|---|---|
MOB train at Les Avants on 11 July 1985.
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| Technical | |
| Track gauge | 1,000 mm (3 ft 3 3⁄8 in) |
| Electrification | 850 V DC Overhead line |
| Highest elevation | 1,269 m (4,163 ft) |
| Maximum incline | 7.3% |
| Rack system | None |
The Montreux–Oberland Bernois railway (French: Chemin de fer Montreux–Oberland Bernois, German: Montreux–Berner Oberland-Bahn, abbreviated MOB), is a railway operating in southwest Switzerland, one of the oldest electric railways in the country; its main line, 62.4 km (38.8 mi) in length, built to 1,000 mm (3 ft 3 3⁄8 in) gauge, connects Montreux, Gstaad, and Zweisimmen, where passengers can transfer to the BLS AG owned, and standard gauge, Zweisimmen to Spiez line. There is also a 12.9 km (8.0 mi) branch-line from Zweisimmen to Lenk.
The main line of the MOB was opened in stages, the first, from Montreux to Les Avants (10.9 km or 6.8 mi) on 17 December 1901, followed by the Les Avants to Montbovon (11.2 km or 7.0 mi) section on 1 October 1903. The next stages from Montbovon to Château-d'Œx (10.6 km or 6.6 mi) and then Gstaad (13.1 km or 8.1 mi) followed on 19 August 1904 and 20 December 1904 respectively, the final 16.6 km (10.3 mi) of the line reaching Zweisimmen on 6 July 1905. The spur line to Lenk was opened in 1912.
From the very start, the MOB had the character of a mainline railway and, at an early stage, through trains with dining and saloon coaches were introduced. The creation of the Golden Mountain Pullman Express in 1931 was unfortunately at a time of world economic crisis and this accounted for its lack of success. The saloon coaches 103–106 built for this train by Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits (CIWL) were sold to the Rhaetian Railway in 1939, where they are still in use (As 1141–44). Two of the original (1913–14 built) coaches have been restored by the MOB and are used for "Chocolate train" services in the summer months, but still regularly find work on the main line "Classic train" services on Sundays throughout the year. The modern successor of this luxury train is the Golden Pass Panoramic Express, which for the past few years has aroused growing enthusiasm.
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