Vapeur Val-de-Travers

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For families, the VVT offers many opportunities to enjoy the sound of a steam train in the beautiful surroundings of the Val-de-Travers :

• Where does the VVT go to ? Here you can find a map and a list of the areas visited
• Which steam locomotives ?
• Which carriages?
• Scheduled trains on the TRN line between Travers - Fleurier - St-Sulpice/NE
• Scheduled trains on the CFF line between Neuchâtel - Travers - Pontarlier
• Combined offers (thanks to our partners enjoy a varied day out...)
• Combined offers: VVT, the asphalt mines and Mauler - CFF/TRN
• "Fondue (or Tartare) Trains" departing from Neuchâtel or St-Sulpice (return included)
• Special trains on lines within our normal radius of operation….and elsewhere
• Visit the steam depot at St-Sulpice/NE
• This year's events at the VVT

Which steam engines ?

At present the 3 locos which haul VVT trains are as follow…

• (0-6-0T) "Tigerli" 8511 (approx 350hp)
• (0-6-0T) "Krauss", an 060T loco which has been out of service for 5 years, but returned to service in 2001, with a boiler overhauled by INTERLOK (Pila - Poland)
• (2-8-2T) TKt48 188 (approx 1060hp). The first Line loco of VVT, arrived on the 9^th September 2004 ...

These locos are authorized to work on all the lines normally used by the VVT.
What is the VVT's radius of operation ? Here you will find a map and a list of all the areas the VVT covers.
 

(0-4-0T) SLM "Sulzer" "pendulum" is also in working order however is not authorized to haul passenger trains as it is not equipped with air brakes; besides which it is not very powerful and cannot work alone

Note that…

• (0-8-0T) "Slask" TKp16 (approx 800hp). This is a Polish loco, arrived on the 30^th September 1996. This loco doesn't drive at the moment, the boiler will be rebuilt.
• For scheduled trains, the VVT locomotives are rostered depending on availability, maintenance periods, journey, coal capacity etc…
• For special trains…
  • Normally the VVT will provide the smallest loco possible capable of hauling the train.
  • One option, is for the client to choose which loco he wishes, depending on technical and organizational resources.

Which carriages ? 

By default, the trains are usually formed of the very attractive VVT "standard" set of 240 seats, consisting of vintage 2 and 3 axle carriages with open verandahs…

• 3 twin axled "Austrian" 52 seater carriages = 156 seats
  ;
• "small" 3 axled restaurant carriage (vintage CFF carriage) 24 seats
  ;
• 3 axled bar carriage, the "Traclet Bar" (vintage CFF carriage) 30 seats
  ;
• "Panorama" open carriage (vintage CFF carriage) 30 seats.
  

Another option on it's own or to reinforce the standard set is the "VVT strengthened set" with 376 seats :

• "heavy vehicles" ex CFF
  • 3AB carriages (first and second class) of 64 seats each = 192 seats
    
  • 1B (ex second class) : 80 seats
    
• "large" restaurant carriage of the standard restaurant car type CFF type I of 1961 : 52 seats
  
• "heavy" restaurant car ex BLS dining car : 52 seats
  

Note that :

• All the carriages are painted in the chocolate and cream livery of the VVT, giving a uniform appearance to our sets…since the 2004 season
• Of course it is possible, according to the needs and wishes of customers …to "insert" a 4 axled carriage into a rake of 2 or 3 axled carriages.
• 1 Austrian 2 axled passenger brake carriage and 1 heavy ex CFF carriage are currently out of service.
  .

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Scheduled steam trains , on the St-Sulpice/NE - Fleurier - Travers route.

Every year, from spring until autumn, on certain weekends, the VVT runs scheduled trains on the "Transport Regionaux Neuchatelois" TRN (Neuchatel Regional Transport) line, also used by modern electric sets, linking Neuchatel. The link will allow you to check timetabled trains departing from your station :  !

Journey time: around 30 minutes

Scheduled train fares : Adult return ticket on the Saint-Sulpice - Fleurier - Travers route 15 Swiss Francs; Adult single ticket 7.50 Swiss Francs; "Accompanied children" free up to 16 years old. Group travel of 10 or more persons - 10% reduction

General information : Check operating days and train times ! Tickets are sold on the VVT train Group tickets must be ordered at least 10 days in advance For all enquiries, orders, etc… e-mail to the commercial department of the VVT or courrier / Tel. / FAX

Scheduled trains on the CFF line between Neuchâtel - Les Verrières (- Pontarlier)

On Sundays the 11^th June and 10^th September 2006, the trains will climb as far as Les Verrières.

• The Val-de-Travers line, also called the Franco-Swiss line, offers a great variety of scenery along the length of it's sinuous mountainous contours, scattered with many tunnels, bridges and viaducts.
  
• This starts at Neuchâtel, at an altitude of 479 meters (1572 feet).
  Scarcely before leaving the station, the train already offers you an interesting view of the Chateau and over the town of Neuchâtel : then it climbs above the lake before being engulfed by the spectacular "canyon" of the Areuse gorge.
  It then climbs out at Noiraigue, at an altitude of 728 meters (2390 feet), the starting point for the well known rock circle and the nature reserve at Creux-du-Van, and Soliat at an altitude 1460 meters (4793 feet).
  After the junction of Travers (2455 feet), the train climbs to altitude on a 6 mile long gradient of 1 in 50 (2%) towering first of all above the Val-de-Travers, then the village of St-Sulpice where the VVT depot is, and finally reaching the high Jura mountain plateaux at Les Bayards, at an altitude of 936 meters (3073 feet), the highest point on the Berne - Paris line.
  After the border station of Les Verrières, the train redescends calmly towards France as it passes acknowledging the "Fort de Joux", (a fortified chateau), situated a few kilometers from the town of Pontarlier.
  
• The line continues towards France : this is the line used by TGVs between Paris - Neuchâtel - Bern

By clicking here, you will be able to see a profile of this joint international line (in french)

Single journey time Neuchâtel - St-Sulpice : around 70 minutes

Fares for scheduled trains to Les Verrières: Neuchâtel to Pontarlier and Travers adult return 40 Swiss Francs St-Sulpice to Neuchâtel adult return 35 Swiss Francs "Accompanied children" free up to 16 years old Group travel of 10 or more persons - 10% reduction Cycles carried free on VVT trains!

General information : Check operating days and train times ! Purchase tickets on the VVT train or on the platform at Neuchâtel before departure of the train Group tickets must be ordered at least 10 days in advance For all enquiries, orders, etc… e-mail to the commercial department of the VVT or courrier / Tel. / FAX

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Combined offers… Save money on delightful varied days out.

VVT -  Asphalt Mines - Mauler  - CFF/TRN, leaving from Travers or Neuchâtel (returning by scheduled services included)

A day of discovery in the Neuchâtel Jura 
Timetable details on

 

Fares for combined offers VVT - Asphalt Mines - Caves mauler - TRN : Adult fare from Travers, CHF 65 Adult fare from Neuchatel, CHF 85 "accompanied child" free up to 16 years of age The prices above include return by scheduled trains to Neuchâtel or Travers (whichever was your starting point) For groups, the CHF 65 fare can be reserved daily between May and October, but with a slightly modified program.

General information : Check operating days and train times Tickets for these combined offers are sold exclusively by the CFF Station at Travers and on the VVT trains Group tickets must be ordered at least 10 days in advance (there is a possibility of including a visit to the Asphalt Mines or Mauler caves) For all enquiries, orders, etc… e-mail to the commercial department of the VVT or courrier / Tel. / FAX

"Fondue (or Tartare) Trains" run on Saturday evenings departing from St-Sulpice or Neuchâtel

On the 13^th May, 10^th June, 8^th July, 12^th August, 9^th September and the 7^th October, after departure from St-Sulpice at 18.36, our passengers have time to have a drink whilst travelling towards our destination at Neuchâtel, where we arrive at 19:46. Whilst the loco is being turned , and on departure at 19:58 the first lucky ones will be spinning their forks in the fondue pot full of sumptuous Mauler fondue.

The traditional white wine has been replace by MAULER" sparkling wine. This product is produced in the priory St-Pierre at Môtiers. Of course the cheese also comes from this area.

In July and August, the Fondue is replaced by a steak tartare for the same fare and timetable.

How lucky, to be passing the vineyards of Littoral, then the narrow gorges of the Areuse, to reach the Val-de-Travers whilst tasting this speciality, to the sound of the exhaust from the steam loco.

On arrival at St-Sulpice, the train stays at the plattform. The visitors ca quiet stay in the cars. Passengers to Neuchâtel will change in Fleurier, where the local train at 21.37 will take them to the city. By partaking of this offer, there is no need to risk driving. Arrival is planned for 22.15, which will enable you to reach home using public transport.

For the complete timetable, please refer to

Our afternoon visitors who wish simply to return to Neuchâtel, can take this train for our usual fare of 20 Swiss Francs per person.

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Special trains on the VVT within our radius of operations … or elswhere.

"Out and back" trains for corporate events, weddings, family occasions, etc. including a ride on the TRN line in the valley and certain BLS / CFF routes.

 

Examples of prices for special trains on the TRN/CFF lines from St-Sulpice to Travers / Neuchâtel - Travers - Les Verrières: St-Sulpice - Travers and return, starting from 2000 Swiss Francs, with 8511 Tigerli or 16388 Krauss-Maffei and up to 4 cariages - 10 axles -  St-Sulpice - Travers - Neuchâtel or Les Verrières and return, staring from 3500 Swiss Francs, including two carriages and the Gbs (generator, cycle transport etc…).   Neuchâtel - Travers - St-Sulpice and return, starting from 4500 Swiss Francs, including two carriages and the Gbs (generator, cycle transport etc…). For each additional carriage add 300 Swiss Francs. Other journeys are available including beyond Neuchâtel. We will gladly quote for an other journeys or for extras. These fares are only as samples to use. Please contact the commercial dept. of the VVT

General information : Normally, "out and back" journeys depart from St-Sulpice/NE and run to Travers, Les Verrieres or Neuchâtel. One option is for trains to commence at other stations with journeys on other branches etc… We can operate trains on the lines approved for the VVT (the lines shown on the map can be operated over on request) or elsewhere...however, for lines not currently approved the authorization process is very long!!! Organized on dates and times to suit our clients, Intermediate station stops can be arranged to suit for visits etc... Layovers between the out and back legs can be arranged to permit visits, Available at weekends or weekdays, From May 2003, availability is year long, Loco 8511 "Tigerli" 8511 is available for small groups, otherwise "Krauss-Maffei", TKp 16 "Slask", or TKt48 188 Normally the VVT "standard set" is used (2 or 3 axled carriages), other options include the Val d'Areuse restaurant car and or carriages from the VVT strengthening set, Advance booking essential - at least 10 days in advance, For all enquiries, orders, etc… e-mail to the commercial department of the VVT or courrier / Tel. / FAX Note: special trains are organized subject to the technical and organizational constraints of the VVT and the infrastructure controller - BLS, CFF, TRN etc…!

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Guided visit to St-Sulpice Depot

Depot visits are available at S-Sulpice/NE where all the VVT's steam locos can be visited, usually each Saturday, however visits can be arranged on weekdays subject to one week's notice being given.

 

Admission prices for the VVT Depot at Saint-Sulpice/NE: Adults - 7 Swiss Francs each, children - 5,50 Swiss Francs each Groups : 20 person or more Daily ticket allowing you to visit all the sites of the "Journey to the Land of the Fairies" for 26 Swiss Francs per adult, 17 Swiss Francs per child (group rates : Ask us). Holders of VVT tickets have free admission to the depot, as do members (please show your membership card)…and as usual children accompanied by their parents, grandparents etc.,….free. It is always preferable to advise us of your visit by e-mail to our commercial dept. or by courrier / Tel. / FAX.

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