The Montreux-Oberland-Bernois Bahn, one of Switzerland’s metre gauge main lines, was authorized in the last years of the 19th century and its first stretch, following a sinuous course up the mountainside from Montreux as far as Les Avants, opened on 17th December 1901. With this in mind the railway which became the CF Electriques Veveysans (“CEV”) was authorised to build a railway inland from Vevey, on the shore of Lake Geneva a short distance west of Montreux, through the hillside towns of St. Legier and Blonay to connect with the MOB at Chamby. The railway opened on 29th September 1902 and was electrified from the start. A long branch from St. Legier to Chatel-St. Denis opened on 30th April 1904. A final extension, using the Abt rack, was built curving sharply away from Blonay station up the steep hill to Les Pleiades, opening in 1911.

The CEV got into financial difficulty in the 1950’s. In an effort to cut costs the final part of the original line between Blonay and Chamby closed in 1966 followed by the Chatel-St. Denis branch three years later. The sole remaining route accordingly became the Vevey-Les Pleiades line. It’s still open today though most trains from either end now terminate at Blonay. The Blonay-Chamby closure coincided with the first stirrings of the preservation movement in Switzerland. It was an obvious candidate for rescue, being one of the country’s few lines to be closed and, at just under 3km long, it would not be unduly expensive to operate. With its wiring still in place it would provide a good home for stock from the country’s many metre-gauge electric lines as well as being suitable for steam operation. It’s also a very scenic route with spectacular views over Lake Geneva and a substantial stone-arched viaduct mid-way along the route.

The collection grew rapidly. The railway now possesses eleven steam locos, a not inconsiderable number but by far the greater part of the collection consists of elderly electric railcars, tramcars and trailers, nearly all of which have been restored in the elaborate liveries common in Switzerland eighty years or so ago. They make a most impressive sight even if, like me, you have only a hazy idea about most of the lines where they ran. There are also a small number of electric locos and several carriages used with the steam trains. To my mind pride of place here goes to a Bernina coach, immaculately restored to its original condition and livery. Certainly it was the most popular amongst the passengers on the train. Look out also for the ex-Reseau Breton carriage with no fewer than four classes of accommodation including a locker for dogs underneath the third class seats with its own access from outside.

The line operates at weekends between May and October. On the last Sunday of the month a through train operates between Vevey and Chamby. The depot and museum are at Chaulin, off a short branch at the Chamby end. Trains from Blonay reverse at Chamby station to run into the depot – the only way of getting there, as there’s no public road access.