The Montreux Oberland Bernois Company (MOB) operates a special train, "Le Train du Chocolat" or Chocolate Train, that runs from Montreux on the shores of Lake Geneva to the Cailler chocolate plant at Broc in the Gruyère region. The service started in 1985 and today the chocolate train runs from May to October, on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, and daily in July and August.
The trip goes from Montreux to Monbovon where the train comes on TPF (Transports Publics Fribourgeois) track. Here the train reverses and continues on TPF track to Gruyères where a stop is made, allowing the passengers to visit a demonstration cheese dairy and the medieval village and castle of Gruyères. From Gruyéres the train continues to Bulle where it reverses again and comes on the Bulle - Broc line (also TPF) to run the final 5 km to the little station of Broc fabrique, just in front of the Cailler plant (Nestlé group). After a visit to the chocolate plant, including of course a tasting of the famous Cailler chocolate, follows the return journey to Montreux (without stop at Gruyères).
In June 2009 when I was in the Gruyère region, the train consisted of engine GDe 4/4 6003 in special Chocolate train livery, two Pullman wagons and a panoramic pilot wagon. The Pullman nostalgic wagons were Ars 101 (A standing for 1st class, r for restaurant or bar and s for salon) and As 102. The wagons were built in 1914, respectively 1915, modified and repainted several times and rebuilt in their actual form in 1994. The panoramic pilot wagon Ast 117 was built in 1986 and was one of the pilot wagons for the then called Super Panoramic Express, a special train with a pilot wagon on each end and the engine in the middle. In between are coupled one or more panoramic wagons. This train is now called the Golden Pass Panoramic. A peculiarity of this pilot wagon is the engineers' compartment that is slightly in retreat and above the 8 front seats. These VIP seats offer a splendid sight ahead.
In June 2009 when I was in the Gruyère region, the train consisted of engine GDe 4/4 6003 in special Chocolate train livery, two Pullman wagons and a panoramic pilot wagon. The Pullman nostalgic wagons were Ars 101 (A standing for 1st class, r for restaurant or bar and s for salon) and As 102. The wagons were built in 1914, respectively 1915, modified and repainted several times and rebuilt in their actual form in 1994. The panoramic pilot wagon Ast 117 was built in 1986 and was one of the pilot wagons for the then called Super Panoramic Express, a special train with a pilot wagon on each end and the engine in the middle. In between are coupled one or more panoramic wagons. This train is now called the Golden Pass Panoramic. A peculiarity of this pilot wagon is the engineers' compartment that is slightly in retreat and above the 8 front seats. These VIP seats offer a splendid sight ahead.
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The Chocolate train on its way to Gruyères. Neirivue, 15-06-2009.
Pilot wagon Ast 117 is leading, followed by Pullman wagons Ars 101 and As 102. GDe 4/4 6003 is pushing.
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idem, between Neirivue and Grandvillard, 15-06-2009.
Clearly visible on pilot wagon Ast 117 is the engineer's compartment (the upper windscreen) and the VIP seats in the front.
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GDe 4/4 6003 waits with its train on the side track in the station of Gruyères while the passengers are visiting the village. Gruyères, 15-06-2009
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The Chocolate train rolls down the 50 per mil (5%) grade between Broc and Broc fabrique. The train has reversed at Bulle station and now GDe 4/4 6003 is leading.
Broc Fabrique, 15-06-2009.
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GDe 4/4 6003 in its beautiful golden livery.
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The Chocolate train shifts to a side track behind the little station at Broc Fabrique while the passengers are visiting the Cailler plant.
Broc Fabrique, 15-06-2009.
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The Chocolate train just before the station of Gruyères.
Gruyères, 17-06-2009. |
