3. Chamonix-31.01.15

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-2015 > 6. Chamonix-28, 30 & 31.01.15 > 3. Chamonix-31.01.15

With an hour or two spare before heading off for the airport, rather than fritter money away in expensive coffee and gifts shops, I headed for the station at Chamonix.

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Images 1-11 of 11 displayed.

Z851, 11.54 Chamonix Mt. Blanc-Valloricine (18911), Chamoix Mt
Three-car EMU Z851 waits at Chamonix station to leave with train 18911, the 11.54 to Valloricine. It is encrusted with snow much of which had fallen the previous night causing even the roads and railways of the Chamonix valley to slow down! In the background is the Grands Montets and just out of view to the right Mt. Blanc, Europe's highest mountain.
Keywords: Z851 11.54 Chamonix Mt. Blanc-Valloricine 18911 Chamoix Mt. Blanc station

Z851, 11.54 Chamonix Mt. Blanc-Valloricine (18911), Chamoix Mt
Z851 was built by the Swiss manufacturer Stadler. and was introduced new to this line in 2008. They operate via 850V third rail DC pick up that is quite remarkable given the weather as seen here. Indeed, the third rail can be seen clear of all snow to the left of the train. If this was on our own Southern Region, all tarins would have been halted by now with absolute chaos ensuing! It looks like that the third rail is heated as there appears to be no snow on it.
Keywords: Z851 11.54 Chamonix Mt. Blanc-Valloricine 18911 Chamoix Mt. Blanc station

Chamonix-Montenvers Mer de Glace line looking northeast, Chemin du Pied-du Grepon foot crossing
Taken from a snow-covered foot crossing in Chamonix, the Montenvers mountain railway is seen. Looking at the exposed track it looks as though a train has recently passed but due to the weather it was closed to passengers according to signs at the station. Despite the sunny weather, it was a very cold morning, and Chamonix is at 1000m altitude (3200feet).
Keywords: Chamonix-Montenvers Mer de Glace line looking northeast Chemin du Pied-du Grepon foot crossing

Chamonix-Montenvers Mer de Glace line looking southwest, Chemin du Pied-du Grepon foot crossing
A quiet scene looking to Chamonix station at the end of the Montenvers Mer de Glace railway with now very much happening. On a normal day in winter, the trains should be running the 5.1KM line to the summit station at Montenvers. However, due to heavy overnight snowfall, there was no train running apart from what appeared to have been a snow clearing train witness the clear tracks here at resort level.
Keywords: Chamonix-Montenvers Mer de Glace line looking southwest Chemin du Pied-du Grepon foot crossing

33, snow-clearing train, Chamonix Montenvers Mer de Glace line, Chemin du Pied-du Grepon foot crossing
Having cleared the line of snow earlier in the morning, diesel-powered number 33 and its un-numbered cousin, descend the Montenvers railway with extreme caution. Just behind the snow-clearing train are cabins 46 and 62 taking electric power from the overhead live wires. The carriages had been released from the upper station at Montenvers Mer de Glace by the snow clearing operations and would hopefully be in passenger use later on on this day.
Keywords: 33 snow-clearing train Chamonix Montenvers Mer de Glace line Chemin du Pied-du Grepon foot crossing

46 & 62, ECS following snow-clearance, Chamonix-Montenvers Mer De Glace line, Chemin du Pied-du Grepon foot crossing
Descending extremely gingerly, at less than walking pace, passenger cars 46 and 62 are brought down to the base station of the Montenvers mountain railway. Following snow clearance by two diesels, that had just passed me, it would be hoped that passenger services would commence soon. With so much snow, ski conditions were surprisingly difficult so a lot of visitors to Chamonix would probably be looking for something different to do. A trip up the Montenvers railway to the Mer de Gace would be a great way to spend the day so I suspect that the railway was anxious to get operations underway as soon as possible!
Keywords: 46 62 ECS following snow-clearance Chamonix-Montenvers Mer De Glace line, Chemin du Pied-du Grepon foot crossing

62, ECS following snow clearance, Chamonix Montenvers Mer De Glace line, Chemin du Pied-du Grepon foot crossing
Still encrusted in snow, Montenvers Mer De Glace carriage number 62 is attached to the rear of another one with the pair having gingerly made their way down from the summit of the line to Chamonix. They were following down a snow clearing train with the line, hopefully, opening for business later in the day. I was a little disappointed that heavy snowfall had put paid to my attempt to take the train to the Mer de Glace on the final morning of our stay in Chamonix.
Keywords: 62 Chamonix Montenvers Mer De Glace line Chemin du Pied-du Grepon foot crossing

Z803, 11.38 Vallorcine-St.-Gervais-Le-Fayet (18914), Chemin des Cristalliers, Place-de-la-Gare-foot crossing, Chamonix
Dubbed, The Mont Blanc Express line, the one-metre line that starts at the French station of St Gervais/Le Fayet, with a steep climb to the Chamonix valley, all the way through Chamonix and Argentiere, under the Col des Montets and down the other side into Martigny in Switzerland. Taken from a small foot crossing in Chamonix, two-car Z803 slows for its stop at the station with the 11.38 Vallorcine to St.-Gervais/Le-Faye. Despite seep snow and extreme cold, the trains that use third rail pick up still operate!
Keywords: Z803 11.38 Vallorcine-St.-Gervais-Le-Fayet 18914 Chemin des Cristalliers Place-de-la-Gare-foot crossing Chamonix

Snowblower, Chamonix Mt
Against a dramatic Alpine scene, one of the line's one-metre gauge snowblowers has just emerged from the shed at back and the SNCF member of staff is preparing it for work.
Keywords: Snowblower Chamonix Mt. Blanc yard

Snowblower, Chamonix Mt
Snow clearance in place French style! A diminutive one-metre gauge slow blower is prepared to go out on to the mainline in the Chamonix valley to undertake further clearance work. The picture is taken with some difficulty through the mesh of a footbridge that span the lines to the northern end of Chamonix statin.
Keywords: Snowblower Chamonix Mt. Blanc yard

Snowblower, Chamonix Mt
An SNCF snowblower heads off down the line at Chamonix towards St Gervais/Le Fayet. This was the last picture I took on this trip to France before heading back to the hotel for our transfer to Geneva airport.
Keywords: Snowblower Chamonix Mt. Blanc station

Images 1-11 of 11 displayed.