Riding steam
Century-old carriages hauled by real steam.
simon tunstall — CC BY 3.0 · Babast 08nico — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Beat Strasser — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Beat Strasser — CC BY-SA 2.0
The Blonay–Chamby is a **historic steam-operated railway** in the hills above Montreux, run by volunteers since 1968 along a three-kilometre stretch of old line between the villages of Blonay and Chamby — through forest, over an arched stone viaduct and across a small valley, with views over Lake Geneva below. It is a **living museum** rather than transport: a fleet of steam locomotives and historic electric railcars from all over Switzerland and Europe, some from the nineteenth century, restored and returned to service — you genuinely ride in a hundred-year-old carriage pulled by real steam. At Chaulin, near the upper end of the line, two large depot halls hold the rest of the collection — the heritage train from Blonay sets you down at the museum's own station. It runs **seasonally, mainly at weekends** (roughly May–October) and on special days, with some trips steam-hauled and others electric — check the timetable. For train enthusiasts and families: an enjoyable, authentic half-day away from the crowded promenade.
Century-old carriages hauled by real steam.
Two halls holding the rest of the locomotive fleet.
Chemin du Tunnel, 1807 Blonay
The line runs mainly on **Saturdays and Sundays from May to October**, and not every trip is steam-hauled — some use historic electric railcars. The society publishes a timetable marking the steam days, and special summer festivals bring out rare locomotives. Check before planning, since arriving on an ordinary weekday means a closed line.