Stadler has delivered the first of seven new metre-gauge trains to Transports de Martigny et Régions (TMR) and the French state railway SNCF, as part of a cross-border fleet modernisation for the Mont-Blanc Express. The new trains, manufactured in Bussnang, Switzerland, are set to begin passenger service from mid-2026, replacing the legacy fleet on the route between Martigny (CH) and St-Gervais-les-Bains-le-Fayet (FR).
The first train was officially handed over in Martigny on 24 April 2025. All seven units are scheduled for delivery by autumn 2025.
“We transported the first vehicle by rail from the Stadler factory in Bussnang to Martigny in an environmentally friendly way,” Frédéric Evequoz, Sales Manager for customised vehicles at Stadler, noted. Once in Martigny, the train was transferred to a lorry and placed onto the narrow-gauge line. It will now undergo commissioning at TMR’s workshop in Vernayaz, including preparations for operating approval on both the Swiss and French networks.
The new Mont-Blanc Express trains
The new Beh 4/8 trains are modular in design, allowing multiple units to be combined to meet higher demand. Large panoramic windows offer improved views of the Alpine scenery, while several technical features enhance operational efficiency and passenger comfort:
- Dual-mode capability: Suitable for both cogwheel and adhesion operation, the trains can also run in double traction on cogwheel sections to increase capacity.
- Accessibility: Fully compliant with the Swiss Disability Discrimination Act (BehiG), the trains offer barrier-free boarding for passengers with reduced mobility.
- Energy efficiency: Regenerative braking systems convert braking energy into electricity, feeding it back into the grid.
- Sustainability: The vehicles include energy-efficient air conditioning and meet high environmental standards.
The new fleet is part of a broader public transport improvement plan supported by the Swiss Confederation, the canton of Valais, and the French Région Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (AURA). The total project cost for the seven trains is CHF 76 million.
“We are delighted that we can help improve passenger comfort on the spectacular railway line between Valais and Haute-Savoie. The new vehicles signify a commitment to modern and environmentally friendly travel, cross-border cooperation and technological innovation in the Alpine region,” Frédéric Evequoz added.
The Mont-Blanc Express has connected Martigny with St-Gervais for over a century. TMR operates the Swiss section to the border at Le Châtelard, while SNCF runs services on the French side.
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