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 (including terminal areas). - Single track, metric gauge (1000mm/3 ft 3+3⁄8 in) served, electrified 1.5kV DC OHLE. Except for loops in some stations, common areas and a small stretch after Le Noirmont (double track). - 2.6/2.8% (26/28x1000) maximum gradient reached. - 60-70km/h (37-44mph) maximum permitted speed, with drops at stations/junctions or sharp bends. b) Le Noirmont – Tramelan – Tavannes Line - 23km (14mi) total length (including terminal areas). - Single track, metric gauge served, electrified 1.5kV DC OHLE (except for loops in some stations). - 5.8% (58x1000) maximum gradient reached. - 50-70km/h (31-44mph) maximum permitted speed, with a significant drop in the center of the route (urban hairpin bends). With the exception of common sections at La Chaux-de-Fonds, Glovelier and Tavannes, where the metric Resèaux runs alongside the standard gauge line (1,435 mm/4 ft 8+1⁄2 in), 15kV AC OHLE powered. Total of 74km (46mi) in length. The entire path is equipped with: - Bs (Block-système), also known as Spacing/Cantonment Block (with dedicated light signals), as signaling system adopted. - ZSI 127 (formerly ZS 90) supported, as safety system adopted. - GSM-R ready, as regards comm. The network is managed by: - Jura, Bern and Neuchâtel Cantons (local government, public management). The passenger and freight services are operated by: - Compagnie des chemins de fer du Jura (CJ) SA (private/public transport company). - Le train à vapeur des Franches-Montagnes (heritage railtours association). Other companies (standard/metric gauge) marginally affected: - SBB/CFF/FFS SA (Swiss national railway company). - BLS SA (Swiss largest private operator). - Transports Publics Neuchâtelois (TransN) SA (metric line operator at La Chaux-de-Fonds). ROUTE AND STATIONS The network has a total of 28 active stations/stops, as well as several closed ones. The calls are, as follows: SBB/BLS to Le Locle (to France, standard) and TransN to Les Ponts-de-Martel (metric) lines. - La Chaux-de-Fonds, the network's main terminal. Shared between SBB/BLS (standard terminal) and CJ/TransN (metric terminal). Also present is the Bellevue waste terminal (metric, above the standard yard). Km44*. SBB/BLS lines to Neuchâtel and Bienne (standard). Street level stretch (Rue du Manège/Rue du Crêt). - La Chaux-de-Fonds-Est, Km43* [on request]. - La Cibourg, Km38* [on request]. - La Ferrière (1.5kV DC substation), 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 (1.5kV DC substation), network node station. Equipped with sidings, it hosts the junction towards Glovelier and Tavannes. 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 (1.5kV DC substation), Km11.5* [on request]. - Tramelan-Chalet, Km10.3* [on request]. - Tramelan, equipped with double depot (passenger) and maneuvering area. Km8.7*. - Tramelan-Dessous, Km8* [on request]. Orange 1.5kV DC substation. SBB/BLS line to Moutier (standard). - Tavannes, South-East terminal of the network. Equipped with metric terminal, standard gauge platforms and gauge change pit (freight consists). Km0* SBB/BLS line to Sonceboz-Sombeval (standard). ---- To Glovelier------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ - Les Émibois, Km2.4** [on request]. - Muriaux, Km3.6** [on request]. - Saignelégier, equipped with double depot (passenger), reséaux main workshop, logs and waste terminal. Km5.4**. - Le Bémont, Km7.2** [on request]. - Pré-Petitjean (1.5kV DC substation), equipped with logs loading siding. Km11** [on request]. Heritage stock depot (railtours). - La Combe, equipped with logs loading siding. Km14.4** [on request]. Tabeillon Stream Valley. - Bollement, equipped with former logs loading siding (not in use). Km16.8** [on request]. Sceut 1.5kV DC substation. - Combe-Tabeillon, equipped with loop and reverse point for convoys direction change. Km25**. SBB/BLS line to Porrentruy (standard). - Glovelier, North-East terminal of the network. Equipped with metric terminal, standard gauge platforms and gauge change pit (freight consists). There's also a direct connection to the nearby sawmill (standard). Km30.3**. SBB/BLS line to Delémont. * Distance from route origin, Tavannes 8Km0). ** Distance from route origin, Le Noirmont (Km0). Stop on request, Services reverse point and Gauge change The on-request stop procedure is the same as RhB. A dedicated panel at certain stations allows you to activate the on-ground stop request, with a warning on line signals (single flashing/steady orange aspect) and a light/acoustic warning inside driver's cabin. About on-board stop request, there are special call buttons. The Combe-Tabeillon stop is equipped with a loop and a reverse point. An "X" and a "Y" switches allow a push/pull or EMU convoy to change stretch (ascending or descending) autonomously. On freight trains, the loco/railcar can perform a runaround, moving to the other end of the consist. Gauge change is possible at Tavannes and Glovelier. In practice, two pits with inclined planes are present (one per site). The metric track goes below ground level, allowing "Trucks" (or Trolleys) to arrive against a step at the bottom. The standard track starts from the edge above this step. These trucks, with their thickness, fill this height gap. In fact, their frame has the same width as a standard track. This way, it's possible to push standard wagons above them. The bogies are secured to the trolleys and now they can be transported on the metric network! 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 There are different passenger services on this network: RÉGIO CJ (Regional) - 236 Line (R36): La Chaux-de-Fonds - Le Noirmont - Saignelégier - Glovelier a) La Chaux-de-Fonds – Glovelier, with 1/2Tph. 14 services/day (6:00 AM-23:30 PM). b) Glovelier – La Chaux-de-Fonds, with 1/2Tph. 15 services/day (7:00 AM- 20:40 PM). c) La chaux-de-Fonds/Les Bois – Saignelégier, with 9 Services/day. d) Saignelégier – Les Bois/La Chaux-de-Fonds, with 7 services/day. e) Le Noirmont – Glovelier, with 1 Train/day. f) Glovelier - Le Noirmont, with 1 Train/day. g) Le Noirmont – La Chaux-de-Fonds, with 2 Trains/day. h) La Chaux-de-Fonds – Noirmont, with 2 Trains/day. i) Le Noirmont – Saignelégier, with 1 Train/day. j) Saignelégier – Le Noirmont, with 2 Trains/day. Total of 54 R36 services/day. -237 Line (R37): Saignelégier - Le Noirmont - Tavannes a) Le Noirmont -Tavannes, with 1Tph. 14 services/day (6:00 AM-21:10 PM). b) Tavannes – Le Noirmont, with 1Tph. 17 services/day (5:45 AM-21:50 PM). c) Tramelan -Tavannes, with 11 services/day. d) Tavannes – Tramelan, with 10 services/day. e) Saignelégier – Les Breuleux/Tavannes, with 4 Trains/day. f) Tavannes/Les Breuleux – Saignelégier, with 3 Tains/day. g) Le Noirmont – Les Breuleux, with 2 Trains/day. h) Les breuleux – Le Noirmont, with 1 Trains/day. i) Le Noirmont – Tramelan, with 1 Train/day. j) Tramelan – Le Noirmont, with 1 train/day. Total of 64 R37 services/day. Total of daily Régio CJ services: 118/day. HERITAGE RAILTOUR - Train des Horlogers: La Chaux-de-Fonds – Tavannes This is a Heritage railtour service, operated by a local association (Pré-Petitjean Depot) from May to October. There's no real timetable: the service starts from La Chaux-de-Fonds, calling at Le Noirmont, Tramelan and finally Tavannes. On board you can have a drink, while observing the beautiful landscape from the old railcar windows. There are also steam engines (Mallet, mainly) + coaches railtours! FREIGHT SERVICE The freight service on this network is mainly aimed at two types of transports: - Waste transport/evacuation This activity is carried out in a "circle": Saignelégier (loading), Glovelier (loading) to Bellevue Terminal (unloading). Followed by an "empty" trip to Tavannes (loading). From there to Saignelégier (waiting only) and Bellevue Terminal (unloading). The trip is divided into two parts, 6 hours each (including breaks/loading-unloading). Total of approximately 12 hours/service. This occurs twice a week. The service covers the entire network! - Chopped logs transport The standard SBB timber wagons are charged onto metric trucks at Tavannes (empty). An "empty" trip begin, towards Le Noirmont, where the convoy (usually 4 wagons on trolleys) turns around. These wagons are distributed between Saignelégier, Pré-Petitjean and La Combe. After a few days, a new loco/railcar starts its collection service, picking up the previous timber wagons (loaded), forming a single convoy and descending towards Glovelier. There, the SBB wagons are uncharged from the metric trucks and continue their journey towards the local sawmill and beyond (standard gauge). This service includes 1 to 3 full trips/week, depending on the tree-cutting period (seasonal). The service only covers the Tavannes-Glovelier stretch! There are also occasional ballast/aggregates and beet pulp transports, always using standard wagons on metric trucks. ROLLING STOCK The following rolling stock can be seen on this route: PASSENGER (REGIONAL) - CJ ABe 4/12 and ABe 2/6 Stadler Rail EMUs, for Régio CJ services. The first is a state-of-the-art metric EMU, delivered to CJ in 2024. The unit consists of 3 locked cars, equipped with 6 two-axle bogies (2x powerdrive). It's an electric train, 1.5kV DC OHLE powered (2 pantographs). Its maximum speed reaches 100km/h (62mph). The CJ fleet consists of 6 units, numbered 671-676. The second is an old metric EMU, belonging to Stadler's GTW family. Delivered to CJ in 2001. The unit consists of 2 locked cars + traction module, equipped with 3 two-axle bogies (1x powerdrive). It's an electric train, 1.5kV DC OHLE powered (2 pantographs). Its maximum speed reaches 90km/h (56mph). The CJ fleet consists of 4 units, numbered 631-634. All specimens of the two series have their own names. - CJ Be 4/4 Stadler Rail Electric railcar + EW II B and ABt FFA Coaches, for Régio CJ services. The first is a modern electric railcar, delivered to CJ in 2016-17. The unit consists of a single car, equipped with 2 two-axle bogies (all powerdrive). It's 1.5kv DC OHLE powered (2 pantographs). It's equipped with a single cabin and an canopy intercom., to interface it with the Resèaux coaches. Its maximum speed reaches 100km/h (62mph). The CJ fleet consists of 5 units, numbered 651-655. All of them have their own names. The second is a series of loco-hauled metric coaches, belonging to the "Einheitswagen". Delivered to CJ in 1986. These are "long frame" units, equipped with 2 two-axle bogies each. There are two versions: "B" (second class standard) and "ABt" (first/second class cabcar). These are completely similar to the RhB units, with a maximum speed limited to 80 km/h (50 mph). The CJ fleet consists of 5 B units and 5 ABt ones (5 complete trainsets). They're currently in service with the Be 4/4s. 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. The first is an old electric railcar, originally built for FW in 1984 (sold to CJ in 2013). The unit consists of a single car, equipped with 2 two-axle bogies (all powerdrive). It's 1.5kv DC OHLE powered (2 pantographs). Its maximum speed reaches 75km/h (47mph). The CJ fleet consists of 3 units, numbered 615-617 (the first is currently out of service). They're used to haul freight convoys on this network. The second is a very old electric railcar, delivered to CJ in 1953. The unit consists of a single car, equipped with 2 two-axle bogies (all powerdrive). It's 1.5kv DC OHLE powered (single pantograph). Its maximum speed reaches 70km/h (44mph). Its cabcar trailer is also present. The only unit of its class still in service today. It has been completely restored to operate railtour heritage services on this network. 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. CJ's freight fleet is mainly composed of "Sb" type (8 specimens) and "Ua" cars (29 single trucks). The first one allows to accommodate two waste containers each, traveling in 2-4x formations. The second are singular trolleys that allow to transport standard-gauge wagons on a metric line. There are two types of Ua truck carrier: single frame (suitable for axle wagons, such as the "X"); double/articulated (suitable for the suggested "Snps" bogie wagon). The second version consists of two trucks fixed together by a rigid coupling bar. Up to 4 pairs/convoy can be used here (8x2). There are also a variety of other metric wagons, such as some "X"(hopper), boxcars etc... OTHER LAYERS SBB/CFF/FFS - RABe 523 Flirt (already ingame)/Flirt 3 - RBDe 560 Domino - RABe 520 Seetal BLS - RABe 528 "Mika" - RABe 515 "Mutz" Plus other TransN stock (AI Only). 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). CONCLUSIONS Welcome to French Switzerland! In the quiet hills above Neuchâtel, lies a rather well-known and fascinating metric réseaux! Take control of the modern EMUs in service here, managing the wide variety of regional services between La Chaux-de-Fonds, Glovelier and Tavannes. You'll be able to explore two metric lines, characterized by breathtaking passages in the Swiss nature, testing yourself with the steep gradients and the tight curves/hairpin bends that characterize them. You'll also be able to manage particular freight services, making use of the unique stock proposed! Not to mention the periodic railtours conducted by the local association of rail amateurs! Go where you want, do whatever you want! Here you'll find what a metric railways lover is looking for! These are my Chemins de fer du Jura: La Chaux-de-Fonds to Glovelier and Tavannes! Caravatt.
