A more comfortable journey through the Alps: Stadler delivers first train for the Mont Blanc Express
Stadler has delivered the first of seven metre-gauge trains to Transports de Martigny et Régions (TMR) and the French state railway SNCF. Built in Bussnang, Thurgau, trains will be introduced into passenger service from mid-2026, and operate on the historic Mont Blanc Express route between Martigny (CH) and St-Gervais (FR).
stadlerrail.com
The delivery of the first train marks the start of the next chapter in cross-border rail transport in the Mont-Blanc region. This customised vehicle has been manufactured at Stadler’s factory in Bussnang (TG) and handed over to Transports de Martigny et Régions (TMR) and the French state railway SNCF in Martigny on 24 April 2025. The two operating companies of the Mont-Blanc Express will put the seven trains into operation from mid-2026. They will replace the legacy fleet, improving comfort and the overall passenger experience on the historic route between Martigny in Switzerland and St-Gervais-les-Bains-le-Fayet in France, at the foot of Mont Blanc.
From Bussnang to Martigny by rail
"We transported the first vehicle by rail from the Stadler factory in Bussnang (TG) to Martigny (VS) on a low-loader wagon in an environmentally friendly way," explains Frédéric Evequoz, Sales Manager for customised vehicles at Stadler. In Martigny, the specialists then reloaded the train onto a lorry and put it on the narrow-gauge line. "The train will now be transferred to the TMR workshop in Vernayaz, where it will be prepared for commissioning and for the process to authorise operation on the Swiss and French rail networks," continues Fréderic Evequoz.
Customised, comfortable and energy-efficient
The new Beh 4/8 trains can be combined in a modular fashion. This allows multiple units to be used, thereby increasing capacity during periods of high passenger volume. The large panoramic windows on the new trains offer passengers fantastic views of the spectacular Alpine landscape.
Other features of the train:
Cogwheel and adhesion operation: The trains are designed for combined use on cogwheel and adhesion lines. They can also run in double traction on the cogwheel section, ie with two trains coupled together. This increases efficiency and flexibility.
. Accessibility: The trains are fully compliant with the Swiss Disability Discrimination Act (BehiG) and enable seamless boarding for passengers with reduced mobility.
. Energy-efficient: Modern consumption control systems ensure environmentally-friendly operation. For example, braking energy is converted into electrical energy and fed back into the grid.
. Environmentally-friendly: The vehicles meet the highest ecological standards. Among other things, they feature energy-efficient air conditioning systems.
Cross-border project for a superior travel experience
The modernisation of the fleet is part of the public transport strategy for the Mont Blanc region. The project is supported by the Swiss Confederation, the canton of Valais and the French Région Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (AURA). The cost of the seven new trains is CHF 76 million. All seven trains will be delivered by autumn 2025 and gradually introduced into service from mid-2026.
"We are delighted that we can help improve passenger comfort on the spectacular railway line between Valais and Haute-Savoie with our trains. The new vehicles signify a commitment to modern and environmentallyfriendly travel, cross-border cooperation and technological innovation in the Alpine region," says Frédéric Evequoz.
The Mont-Blanc Express has been connecting Martigny in the canton of Valais with St-Gervais-les-Bains in the French region of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes for more than a hundred years. TMR operates the section on the Swiss side up to the border at Le Châtelard, while SNCF is responsible for operations in France.
www.stadlerrail.com
