System SNCF Locale France (Rhône-Alpes) Operator(s) SNCF | Status Operational Opened 1864 Owner Réseau Ferré de France | |
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Termini Gare de Grenoble
Gare de Montmélian Electrification 25 kV AC railway electrification | ||
Grenoble montm lian railway
The railway from Grenoble to Montmélian is a 52 km (32 mi) long railway in southeastern France. It was built by the PLM and opened on 15 September 1864 (as a double track) to provide a link between Grenoble and Montmélian. In September 1991 it was electrified between Grenoble and Gières and electrification of the whole line is realidsed and in service on 15 December 2013.
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History
In the past, the line took a route more north, closer to the centre of Grenoble. However, as part of the city's preparations for the 1968 Winter Olympics, the route was moved south, next to the Rocade Sud. A station was opened at Eybens and was used to serve the nearby Olympic Village. This deviation added about 3 km (1.9 mi) to the total length of the track. So as not to have the laborious task of changing all the milestones along the route, this new section was given distances as if it were part of the Ligne de Lyon - Grenoble, all the while staying part of this line. A part of the old line still exists at 45°10′46.10″N 5°43′12.16″E.
In an effort to make the line more profitable, the stations St Hélène du Lac, Le-Cheylas-la-Bussière, Tencin-Theys, Lancey and Domène were all closed to passenger traffic during the 1990s. Domène station stayed open in order to man the nearby factory slidings although trains do not stop. There is also a bus service between Goncelin and Le-Cheylas-la-Bussière. Lancey was reopened in 2005, something very exceptional in France. For this, the station was completely refurbished.