The historic train

A living, rolling heritage at the service of a region

THE LINE

Like many other towns in the foothills of the Vaud Jura, Bière soon found itself cut off from communication routes when the Western Switzerland Company (OS) built the Lausanne-Geneva line. With the construction of the barracks in 1874, a further argument in favor of a railroad line emerged.

Between Bière and Apples, the line was intended to be part of a “pied du Jura” line from Yverdon – Orbe – l’Isle – Bière – Gimel – Genolier – Nyon (which also explains why the Apples – L’Isle railway company would connect at Apples, heading for Bière and not Morges). The line to the foot of the Jura never saw the light of day, but the BAM was inaugurated on July 1, 1895.

The line was divided into two sections totalling 30km:

  • Morges – Bière line: 19.1 km
  • Apples – L’Isle line: 10.6 km

HISTORY

Initially designed to facilitate the transport of goods between the towns of Bière, Apples and Morges, the BAM line rapidly evolved to meet the growing needs of passenger transport and contribute to regional economic development.

The line was steam-powered until electrification on July 1, 1943. It should be noted that the BAM is one of the few metre-gauge railroads to run on SBB 15kV 16.7 Hz current.

The Bière – Apples – Morges (BAM) railroad line is operated by Transports de la région Morges-Bière-Cossonay (MBC). The name was changed in 2003 from BAM to MBC.

For over 125 years, many schoolchildren have gone to school on the BAM, and even more soldiers remember going on leave from Bière.

THE BAR CAR (1895)

Lenght: 9,44 meters
Seating capacity: 10

 

This Br2 31 passenger car was built in 1895 by Schweizerische Industriegesellschaft, Neuhausen am Rheinfall. Renovated and converted into a bar car in 1996, it now seats 10 and offers a pleasant space for groups or families.

The bar car can be privatized for groups, for every BAM gourmet outing.

For your private or company outings, “privatize” your train!   SEE OFFERS & PRICES

THE RESTAURANT CAR (1925)

Lenght: 16,01 meters
Seating capacity: 48

 

This Bc4 25 passenger car was built in 1925 by Schweizerische Industriegesellschaft, Neuhausen am Rheinfall. Renovated and converted into a dining car in 1996, it now seats 48 in the retro environment that made the first savoury trains such a success.

THE RAILCAR (1943)

Lenght: 16.54 meters
Seating Capacity: 28

 

This railcar was commissioned in 1943, when the line was electrified. This BCFe 4/4 2 model was built by Schweizerische Waggons und Aufzügefabrik in Schlieren and Ateliers de Sécheron in Geneva.

It was renovated in 2020 thanks to broad regional support and participatory financing.

RENOVATION OF THE RAILCAR (2019-2020)

 

PRESENTATION OF THE RAILCAR
AT THE FETE DES SENS (04.07.2020)

THE KITCHEN WAGON (1896)

Lenght: 8.58 meters 

 

Originally a mail van, put into service in 1896 and converted in 1944, this van was built by Schweizerische Industriegesellschaft, Neuhausen am Rheinfall.

It was completely transformed into a kitchen wagon in 2015. Today, it offers the preparation and set-up equipment needed to accommodate up to 70 people in the historic train.

 

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