Good afternoon everyone. Today I want to propose you a new Swiss metric network. Yes, after the RhB experience in TSW, I think it's time to escape a bit from the usual Alpine setting! I want to suggest the Chemins de fer du Jura, consisting of two 1000mm lines in the French area of the country. We're in South-Western Switzerland, a few steps from the Franch border (Bourgogne-Franche-Comté). The lines complex crosses three different cantons: Jura (hence the name), Bern and Neuchâtel. Our journey begins at the important town of La Chaux-de-Fonds, continuing towards Le Noirmont. Here the route splits, heading towards Glovelier and Tavannes. A pleasant and varied journey, crossing the Jura's rolling hills, dotted with small characteristic towns, woods, meadows and cultivated fields. Until you face the tight and deep Tabeillon Stream Valley, with its characteristic turning point for services on the line. You'll also have the opportunity to travel on an urban, street section (like on Bernina Line), experiencing a variety of unique services and rolling stock! These are my Chemins de fer du Jura: La Chaux-de-Fonds to Glovelier and Tavannes! GENERAL FEATURES This network is made up of two distinct lines: a) La Chaux-de-Fonds – Le Noirmont – Glovelier Line - 51.3km (32mi) total length. - Single track, metric gauge (1000mm/3 ft 3+3⁄8 in) served, electrified 1.5kV DC OHLE. - 2.6/2.8% (26/28x1000) max gradient. - 60-70km/h (37-44mph) max speed. b) Le Noirmont – Tramelan – Tavannes Line - 23km (14mi) total length. - Single track, metric gauge served, electrified 1.5kV DC OHLE. - 5.8% (58x1000) max gradient. - 50-70km/h (31-44mph) max speed. Total of 74km (46mi). Equipped with: - Bs (Block-système) as signaling system adopted. - ZSI 127 as safety system adopted. - GSM-R ready as regards comm. Network managed by: - Jura, Bern & Neuchâtel Cantons (local government). Passenger/freight services operated by: - Compagnie des chemins de fer du Jura (CJ) SA (private/public company). - Le train à vapeur des Franches-Montagnes (private association). ROUTE AND STATIONS The network has a total of 28 active stations/stops, as well as several closed ones. The calls are, as follows: - La Chaux-de-Fonds, network's main terminus, Km44*. - La Chaux-de-Fonds-Est, Km43* [on request]. - La Cibourg, Km38* [on request]. - La Ferrière, Km35* [on request]. - La Chaux-d'Abel, Km33.4* [on request]. - La Large-Journée, Km32* [on request]. - Les Bois, Km30* [on request]. - Le Boéchet, Km27.7* [on request]. - Le Creux-des-Biches, Km26* [on request]. - Le Noirmont, node station, Km23*/0**. ---- To Tavannes----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Les Breuleux-Eglise, Km18.6* [on request]. - Les Breuleux, Km 18* [on request]. - La Chaux-des-Breuleux, Km16* [on request]. - Le Pied-d'Or, Km13.6* [on request]. - Les Reussilles, Km11.5* [on request]. - Tramelan-Chalet, Km10.3* [on request]. - Tramelan, Km8.7*. - Tramelan-Dessous, Km8* [on request]. - Tavannes, southeastern terminus, Km0* ---- To Glovelier------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ - Les Émibois, Km2.4** [on request]. - Muriaux, Km3.6** [on request]. - Saignelégier, Km5.4**. - Le Bémont, Km7.2** [on request]. - Pré-Petitjean Km11** [on request]. - La Combe, Km14.4** [on request]. - Bollement, Km16.8** [on request]. - Combe-Tabeillon, Km25**. - Glovelier, northeastern terminus, Km30.3**. * Distance from route origin, Tavannes 8Km0). ** Distance from route origin, Le Noirmont (Km0). ROUTE PLAN General view of the network. All main stations/terminals are indicated. In blue, La-Chaux-de-Fonds - Glovelier Line. In red, Le Noirmont - Tavannes Variant. General network diagram. All stations/stops are present. Consider only the purple and red paths! PASSENGER SERVICE RÉGIO CJ (Regional) - 236 Line (R36): La Chaux-de-Fonds - Le Noirmont - Saignelégier - Glovelier a) La Chaux-de-Fonds <-> Glovelier, 1/2Tph, 29Tpd. b) La chaux-de-Fonds/Les Bois<->Saignelégier, 16Tpd. c) Le Noirmont<->Glovelier, 2Tpd. d) Le Noirmont<->La Chaux-de-Fonds, 4Tpd. e) Le Noirmont<->Saignelégier, 3Tpd. -237 Line (R37): Saignelégier - Le Noirmont - Tavannes a) Le Noirmont<->Tavannes, 1Tph, 31Tpd. b) Tramelan -Tavannes, 21Tpd. c) Saignelégier<->Les Breuleux/Tavannes, 7Tpd. d) Le Noirmont<->Les Breuleux, 3Tpd. e) Le Noirmont<->Tramelan, 2Tpd. Total of 118 playable services! HERITAGE RAILTOUR - Train des Horlogers: La Chaux-de-Fonds - Tavannes Heritage railtour service, May-October, weekends (mainly). FREIGHT SERVICE Freight service aimed at: - Waste management (metric only). - Chopped logs (metric-standard). Occasional beet pulp trips (metric-standard). ROLLING STOCK PASSENGER (REGIONAL) - CJ ABe 4/12 and ABe 2/6 Stadler Rail EMUs, for Régio CJ services. - CJ Be 4/4 Stadler Rail Electric railcar + EW II B and ABt FFA Coaches, for Régio CJ services. FREIGHT/RAILTOUR - CJ Be 4/4 FFA Electric railcar and CFe 601 + Ct 702 SIG Electric railcar+cabcar trailer, for CJ Freight and Heritage railtour services. Please, put your LIKE here firs, Thank You! Continue Below...
Page 2 - CJ Sb Flatbed wagon and SBB Snps Timber wagon + CJ Ua Truck carrier, for CJ/SBB freight services. OTHER LAYERS - RABe 523 Flirt (SBB, standard) STATIONS La Chaux-de-Fonds. The most important station of the network, crossroads of many lines, metric and standard. The structure is striking for its grandeur and size. Left side, the metric terminal is represented by the first shelter on left (and the first 4 tracks). Left: Les Bois, small station north of La Chaux-de-Fonds. Right: Le Noirmont, important node station on the route. Terminal of some regional services and switching point from the Tavannes line. Left: Les Breuleux, first major stop on the Tavannes line. It's located in the centre of the village, behind a rather sharp bend. Right: Saignelégier, important stop on the stretch towards Glovelier. Terminal of some regional, freight services and home to 2 depots and a workshop (note in the background). Left: Combe-Tabeillon, convoys reverse point, located halfway up the valley of the namesake stream. Note, in the background, the two stetch of the line going up or down. Right: Glovelier, Northeast terminal of the route. Note how the structure is actually separate from the main station (standard gauge). Continue Below...
Page 3 Left: Tramelan, intermediate stop on the Tavannes line. Terminal of some regional services, it features two depots. Right: Tavannes, southeast terminal of the route. Here too, the terminal is separated from the main station (left side). Almost all structures and platforms have been extensively renovated in recent years! ROUTE VIDEOS Régio CJ 36, La Chaux-de-Fonds - Glovelier. Be 4/4 Stadler+EW II coaches (loco-hauled). Régio CJ 36, Glovelier – La Chaux-de-Fonds. ABe 2/6 Stadler GTW. Régio CJ 37, Tavannes – Le Noirmont. ABe 2/6 Stadler GTW. Some miscellaneous passages on the route (trainspotting). Transits in the urban area of La Chaux-de-Fonds! ROUTE PICS General view of La Chaux-de-Fonds. The red arrow indicates the location of our terminal. On left, the road level stretch at Roue du Menège. Left: landscape near La Cibourg. Note the characteristic "green" of the Swiss hills. Right: La Ferrière Bridge, one of the major railway structures of this network, dating back to the 70s. Left: the Prè-Petitjean Heritage Depot, where the local association of railway enthusiasts keeps their metric rolling stock wonders. Right: Tavannes Viaduct (ramp), it constitutes the major railway work here. It allows to overcome the last height difference between the urban area and the above hill. Left: Tabeillon Valley, characterized by its restricted width and rocky nature of its walls. It hosts most of the bridges and tunnels of this route, as the line climbs directly into one of its sides. Right: general view of Glovelier. Note the metric terminal, the standard line and local sawmill (below). Caravatt .
