1. Chamonix-28.01.15

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-2015 > 6. Chamonix-28, 30 & 31.01.15 > 1. Chamonix-28.01.15
After a hard morning's skiing and a super lunch I made my way to Chamonix station to see what it was like. I found the SNCF station adjacent to the one for the mountain railway.
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Images 1-15 of 15 displayed.

Snowblowing train, Chamonix Montenvers Mer De Glace Having descended from the heights of the Mer De Glace, their snow clearance train prepares to go into the shed. The Chamonix terminus building of the line can be seen to the left of the train. Keywords: Snowblowing train, Chamonix Montenvers Mer De Glace
Snowblowing train, Chamonix Montenvers Mer De Glace The snow clearance operation on the Mer De Glace railway, that climbs steeply from the Alpine town of Chamonix, is handled by this slow blower. This, in turn, is operated by two dedicated diesel powered locomotives seen behind. Keywords: Snowblowing train Chamonix Montenvers Mer De Glace
Snowblowing train, Chamonix Montenvers Mer De Glace Having completed its work for the day, the snow clearing train heads for the depot at Chamonix. It had been involved in clearing the track up the line somewhere towards the Montenvers terminal high above the Mer De Glace at 1913 metres (6200 feet). Keywords: Snowblowing train Chamonix Montenvers Mer De Glace
7, Chamonix-Montenvers station The Chamonix to Montenvers railway, that climbs for just 3.2 miles from Chamonix deep in the valley at a gradient of between 11 and 22%. Until 1953 it was operated by steam power, here one of the former locomotives, number six stands a little forlornly at Chamonix. Keywords: Chamonix-Montenvers station
82322 & 82422, 15.54 Chamonix Mt. Blanc-Vallorcine (18919), Chamonix Mt The 15.54 train from Chamonix Mt. Blanc to Vallocrine waits to leave its starting point in the cold afternoon sun. It is formed by one of the Z800 ADTranz units that were introduced in 1997. This two-car set is numbered 82322 and 82422 and operates, for the most part, via third rail 850v DC pick up, but, the units also have pantographs fitted for the run into Martigny. Keywords: 82322 82422 15.54 Chamonix Mt. Blanc-Vallorcine 18919 Chamonix Mt. Blanc station
87353, 16.20 Chamonix Mt. Blanc-Vallorcine (18937), Chamonix Mt.-Blanc station SNCF service 18937, the 16.20 Chamonix Mt. Blanc to Vallorcine, waits to leave Chamonix with the mountains towering above it. This service is formed by one of the newer Stadler Z850 units, 87353. The railway winds its way through the high Alps under the Mont Blanc Express brand operated by the French state railway, SNCF. At its steepest, the line climbs at an eye-watering 9% that is 1:11 in UK terms, at its steepest, Lickey Incline is a mere 1:37! Keywords: 87353 16.20 Chamonix Mt. Blanc-Vallorcine 18937 Chamonix Mt.-Blanc station
80303 & 80403, 15.38 Vallorcine-St. Gervais Le Fayet (18924), Chamonix Mt Blanc station Looking north from the end of Chamonix Mt. Blanc station 80303 and 80403 arrive with the 15.38 Vallorcine to St. Gerais La Fayet 18924 service. As it was now late afternoon, the cold was returning and I could not operate the camera without my gloves on for very long. Also, the camera's battery was struggling with the cold with me having to remove it and put it in my glove in order to keep it warm enough to operate! Keywords: 80303 80403 15.38 Vallorcine-St. Gervais Le Fayet 18924 Chamonix Mt. Blanc station
87353, 16.20 Chamonix Mt. Blanc-Vallorcine (18937), Chamonix Mt Blanc station Stadler Z850 number 87353 leaves Chamonix Mt. Blanc station with the 16.20 to Vallorcine. It is about to pass under the D1506 ring road that was constructed when the heart of the town was made a pedestrian zone. The one-metre gauge tracks can be clearly seen in the foreground complete with the third rail conductor rails that are snow-free, could you imagine this on our Southern Region in winter? Keywords: 87353 16.20 Chamonix Mt. Blanc-Vallorcine 18937 Chamonix Mt. Blanc station
Frontage, Chamonix Mnt Blanc station The elegant frontage of Chamonix Mnt. Blancs SNCF station is seen in the late afternoon sunshine. It is operated by SNCF but only part of the grand building is now in use by the railway. Notice the Swiss flag above the canopy, testament to the fact that the line that passes through the station links Switzerland to France. Keywords: FrontageChamonix Mnt Blanc station
8, Chamonix Montenvers Mer De Glace One of the former steam locomotives, number 8, that used to operate trains on the Chamonix to Montenvers Mer De Glace mountain railway up until 1953. There were six 2-4-2T locomotives built by Swiss Locomotive and Machine Works between 1908 and 1923. This one is seen standing on a stone plinth outside the Chamonix terminus of the Mer De Glace railway. Keywords: Chamonix Montenvers Mer De Glace
Station, Chamonix-Montenvers Mer De Glace The train shed and station at the bottom of the Mer De Glace mountain railway. It climbs for some five and a half miles from its base here at Chamonix up to the Montenvers Mer De Glace station at 6200 feet. During that short distance, it climbs an impressive 2858 feet. Keywords: Station, Chamonix-Montenvers Mer De Glace
62, stabled, Chamonix-Montenvers Mer De Glace station Blocked in by some dumped snow, car number 62 sits in the afternoon sunshine at Chamonix's Mer De Glace station. Attached to the back of the car was some sort of trailer probably for carrying passenger's luggage, mountain bikes and the like up to the high station at Montenvers. Keywords: 62 Chamonix-Montenvers Mer De Glace station
Station, Chamonix Montenvers Mer De Glace The elegant and somewhat over-sized station building at Chamoninx's Mer De Glace station. The railway had closed for the day by this time hence the lack of people queuing for tickets. During the working day, this queue snaked around the cleared area in front of the cashiers' windows. Keywords: Station Chamonix Montenvers Mer De Glace
62, stabled, Chamonix Montenvers Mer De Glace station A close-up shot of one of the Mer De Glace mountain railway's coaches complete with a four-wheeled trailer that takes passengers up and down the 3.2-mile rack and pinion railway to the Mer De Glace high station at Monenvers. This is a very popular tourist attraction for visitors to the area but one we did not enjoy as we were too busy enjoying the skiing! Keywords: 62 Chamonix Montenvers Mer De Glace station
Frontage, Chamonix Montenvers Mer De Glace station I am not sure what the rooms in the impressive station at the lower terminus of the Mer De Glace railway at Chamonix are used for? The building does seem a little over-sized for railway use but it is an impressive station nonetheless. The building will date from circa 1909 when the mountain railway was opened. Keywords: Frontage Chamonix Montenvers Mer De Glace station

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