Chemin de fer-musée Blonay-Chamby

About the museum

The line from Vevey via Blonay to Chamby opened in 1902 and was part of the network of the Chemins de fer électriques veveysans. By the 1960s operation was barely profitable, and the federal government made the discontinuation of service between Blonay and Chamby a condition for renewing the concession. This section was closed in 1966.

Railway enthusiasts did not want to give up the line. At the founding meeting on 5 December 1966, 82 people joined together to build a tourist heritage operation there on the English model. The first vehicles arrived in 1967, and in May 1968 the authorities granted the operating licence. The Blonay-Chamby is regarded as the first living railway museum in Switzerland.

The line, about three kilometres long, has the character of a mountain railway, with a steep gradient, a viaduct, curves along the hillside and a tunnel. The tracks begin at Blonay station and run via Chamby to Chaulin station, where workshops and exhibition halls are located. There the association keeps about 80 metre-gauge rail vehicles from the period 1870 to 1940, including steam locomotives, electric railcars, trams and Belle Époque carriages. Around 70 percent of them are in running order.

Operations are carried by more than 120 active members, all of whom work without pay. Trains run on weekends from May to October, partly with steam and partly with electric traction.

Highlights

• Around 80 historic metre-gauge vehicles from 1870 to 1940
• Steam train ride over a viaduct and through a tunnel with a view of Lake Geneva
• Two exhibition halls, coaling stage and water tower at Chaulin
• Buffet de la Gare de Chaulin with terrace
• Operated entirely by volunteer members

Founded

1968

Operated by

Chemin de fer-musée Blonay-Chamby (ehrenamtlicher Verein)

Admission & discounts

Prices in CHF, valid on weekends without special events. Tickets only at the station counters in Blonay and Chamby; no reservations and no online sales. The General Abonnement (GA), Half Fare card and other passes of Swiss transport companies give no discount. With a Riviera Belle Époque ticket (Vevey–Blonay), museum admission is discounted (CHF 16, children CHF 8).

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

Family fare (only a half-fare ticket for children aged 6 to 16), children's menu at the buffet; the annual programme includes a family museum day (8 November 2026).

Getting there & parking

The museum at Chaulin can only be reached by historic train from Blonay or Chamby. By car via the A9 (Lausanne–Brig), exit 14 Vevey, then towards Saint-Légier and Blonay.

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant
• Museum shop

Buffet de la Gare de Chaulin with terrace (open Saturdays and Sundays from May to October, children's menu); railway shop in the same building; toilets at Chaulin

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Special trains, the BERNINA saloon car with bar and catering at the depot museum for companies, schools, weddings and family gatherings; enquiries via the groups page