Funiculaire Sierre–Montana–Crans

Funiculaire Sierre–Montana–Crans (abbreviated SMC) is a funicular railway in Valais, Switzerland. The line leads from Sierre at 540 m (1,770 ft) to Crans-Montana at 1,471 m (4,826 ft). The funicular has a single section of about 4.3 km (2.7 mi) since 1997, making it the longest in the world.^[3] Earlier, it had two sections with the break at St-Maurice-de-Laques. The funicular with two cars has a single track with a passing loop.

Other name(s)Funiculaire SMC; Sierre-Montana-Crans; Sierre-Montana-Vermala; Funiculaire de Sierre à Montana-Vermala

StatusIn operation

OwnerCompagnie de Chemin de Fer et d'Autobus Sierre-Montana-Crans, (SMC) SA

LocaleValais, Switzerland

Quick facts Overview, Other name(s) ...

Funiculaire Sierre-Montana-Crans
passing loop (2007)
Overview
Other name(s)	Funiculaire SMC; Sierre-Montana-Crans; Sierre-Montana-Vermala; Funiculaire de Sierre à Montana-Vermala
Status	In operation
Owner	Compagnie de Chemin de Fer et d'Autobus Sierre-Montana-Crans, (SMC) SA
Locale	Valais, Switzerland
Termini	"Sierre/Siders (funi)" at Rue du Pradec 2 "Montana Gare" at Avenue de la Gare 28
Connecting lines	Simplon line
Stations	4 (8 before 2022)
Website	cie-smc
Service
Type	Funicular (before 1997: with 2 sections)
Route number	2225
Operator	SMC
Rolling stock	2
History
Opened	28 September 1911 (115 years ago) (1911-09-28)
Single section	16 December 1997 (1997-12-16)
New tracks	11 December 2022 (2022-12-11)
Technical
Number of tracks	1 with passing loop
Track gauge	Originally 1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in)[1] 1400 mm since 2022[2]
Electrification	from opening
Highest elevation	1,471 m (4,826 ft)
Route map Legend (old) alt. (m) Montana, station 1466 Marigny 1420 Bluche-Randogne 1263 St-Maurice-de-Laques 1074 Darnona 894 Venthône 817 Muraz tunnel de Muraz (78 m) tunnel de Pradegg (73 m) Sierre SMC 539

Close

The lower station is located near the Sierre/Siders railway station on the Simplon line. Intermediate stations are at Venthône and Bluche-Randogne.

The funicular was opened in 1911.^[4][5] The line is operated at present by "Compagnie de Chemin de Fer et d’Autobus Sierre-Montana-Crans (SMC) SA".^[4]

The funicular was closed from March to December 2022 for new tracks and cars, fewer intermediate stations to allow 20-minute intervals^[6][7] and a journey time of 14 minutes.^[8] Concurrently, the power system for the line was redesigned to use solar power to reduce its reliance on grid-provided electricity and for emergency backup power. The system also harvests power regeneratively from the vehicles.^[6][9]