European Railroad Discussion > Swiss Alps, Part 4, TMR Mont Blanc Express, 7/27/26

Martigny, Switzerland
1 – 3. A s/b SBB CFF FFS train on the Simplon Line and TMR MBE BDeh 4/8 (Z800 in France) #22 (Beh 4/8 72 is stenciled on the side) arrive at 13:06.
TMR is translated as Transportation of Martigny and Region.  The TMR station is just an island platform between two stub tracks on the north side of the much larger SBB station.  There is no building, just an agent selling tickets on the platform while a train is in the station.  My son, grandson, daughter and I take #22 the short distance to Vernayaz, the location of the TMR MBE shops at the foot of the mountains.

Gerry

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Vernayaz, Switzerland
4. MoW #6 looks identical to SNCF MBE #4 seen at St. Gervais les Baines la Fayet (Part 2), except for the graffiti on #4.
5. EMU BDeh 4/4 #501 is a singular power coach.
6. There is a mural across the tracks from the station.  This steam engine looks like a geared engine.

Gerry

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7. TMR BDeh 4/8 #21 pops out of the Buvette Tunnel.
8. The start of the cog begins with what looks like a rubber ramp transitioning to rollers before the rack is reached.

Gerry

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9 & 10. #21 arrives (Note the SNCF stenciled on the side) and we take it.
11. The s/b TMR EMU BDeh 4/8 #21 meets n/b #22 at Le Tretien Station.

Gerry

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Vallorcine, France, 7/28/26
12 – 13. The next day I find new TMR Beh Z891B and SNCF Z890 Z891A tied down at the station.  I peak in the windows and find plastic jugs of sand or rocks occupying the isles and seats, probably to simulate a passenger load for testing.
 
References:
Two excellent posts on the Mont Blanc Express were made recently by railsmith:
https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?17,6194719
https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?17,6195016
 
A very helpful site to explore the Mont Blanc Express in English: https://en.train-mont-blanc.fr/
 
 

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Great photos.  I really like #11

GPutz Wrote:
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> Vallorcine, France, 7/28/26
> 12 – 13. The next day I find new TMR Beh Z891B
> and SNCF Z890 Z891A tied down at the station.  I
> peak in the windows and find plastic jugs of sand
> or rocks occupying the isles and seats, probably
> to simulate a passenger load for testing.
>  
> References:
> Two excellent posts on the Mont Blanc Express were
> made recently by railsmith:
> https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?17
> ,6194719
> https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?17
> ,6195016
>  
> A very helpful site to explore the Mont Blanc
> Express in
> English: https://en.train-mont-blanc.fr

The set numbered Z891 is one of four owned by SNCF. Another three are owned by TMR. But all four have one car in TMR livery and one in SNCF livery. They are equipped to work the full distance of the line in the two counrties, from Martigny, Switzerland, to St-Gervais--Le Fayet in France.  

The French ones reportedly will start operation in late September.
  



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/10/26 11:54 by railsmith.

Great shots, really appreciate the detail on the rack. 

The siderods on the mural have disaster written all over them. Lol

Did you use a travel company?   I would like to take a Swiss rail tour next year, and am looking for suggestions.
Thanks for any suggestions.

No, we just winged it.  Gerry
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redberan4449 Wrote:
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> Did you use a travel company?   I would like to
> take a Swiss rail tour next year, and am looking
> for suggestions.
> Thanks for any suggestions.