Aigle–Ollon–Monthey–Champéry railway

Aigle–Ollon-Monthey-Champéry railway
Overview
Termini	Aigle Champéry, Switzerland
Operation
Opened	1907-1908
Owner	Transports Publics du Chablais
Operator(s)	Transports Publics du Chablais
Depot(s)	Aigle
Technical
Line length	23.138 km
Track gauge	1,000 mm (3 ft 3 3⁄8 in)
Electrification	1500 V DC
Highest elevation	1,047 m (3,435 ft)
Maximum incline	13.5 %
Rack system	Strub

The Aigle–Ollon–Monthey–Champéry railway (French: Chemin de fer Aigle-Ollon-Monthey-Champéry, AOMC) is a metre-gauge railway operating in the Chablais region of Switzerland. It was created in 1946 by the amalgamation of the Aigle–Ollon–Monthey Railway (AOM) and the Monthey–Champéry–Morgins Railway (MCM). Today its starting point is two newly built bay (terminal) platforms at the main line station at Aigle, adjacent to the line of the SBB-CFF-FFS. From there is serves the towns suggested by its title.

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 After listening to the arguments, the federal authorities agreed and the original concession was withdrawn to be replaced by a new one for a line from Aigle to Monthey via Ollon.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 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 23.14 km (14.38 mi) in length of which 3.66 km (2.274 mi) is operated on the Strub rack system at a maximum gradient of 13.5%. The line rises from 404 m (1,325.5 ft) at Aigle to a height of 1,049 m (3,441.6 ft) at Champéry, a total rise of 645 m (2,116.1 ft). 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

• (a) Builders plate shows 1986, delivery was in 1987
• (b) Not in service at present.

Gallery

• 

  AOMC car outside Aigle CFF station
• 

  The former Monthey Ville terminus, September 1979
• 

  Two railcars at Monthey in 1979. The terminus is now located further out of the town
• 

  The AOMC left Monthey as a street tramway
• 

  In 1979, goods and postal traffic was still handled
• 

  The intermediate station and passing loop at Ollon
• 

  A car leaves St Triphon, September 1979
• 

  Old electric railcars BCFeh 4/4 6 of the Monthey–Champéry–Morgins-Railway on the Blonay–Chamby heritage railway, September 2015
• 

  AOMC shuttle in Aigle station
• 

  AOMC train in the new Aigle station

Abbreviations

• ACMV Ateliers de constructions mécaniques de Vevey
• BBC Brown, Boveri & Cie
• BTB Birstigtalbahn (Baselland Transport)
• BT Bombardier Transportation (Vevey)
• SLM Swiss Locomotive and Machine Works, Winterthur.