The train of the Mont-Blanc valleys
History and engineering of Mont-Blanc Express

From la Joux to Argentière

The track continues to Argentière via easy slopes: no more than 20 mm/m. It crosses two more avalanche galleries, the second of which is 521 m long.

Avalanche gallery between Les Tines and Argentière.
Avalanche gallery between Les Tines and Argentière.
Inside an avalanche gallery between Les Tines and Argentière, the atmosphere is relatively dark, but the track remains lit through the side openings.
Inside an avalanche gallery between Les Tines and Argentière, the atmosphere is relatively dark, but the track remains lit through the side openings.
The exist of the longest avalanche gallery, shortly before Argentière.
The exist of the longest avalanche gallery, shortly before Argentière.
This <em>GARE</em> (“Station”) signal is located some distance before Argentière station. It is affixed on a former hardware shack. Here, the track is protected by electric wires that can detect the fall of rocks.
This GARE (“Station”) signal is located some distance before Argentière station. It is affixed on a former hardware shack. Here, the track is protected by electric wires that can detect the fall of rocks.
On 16 August 2006, a Z 850 train is passing near Les Chosalets, between La Joux and Argentière.
On 16 August 2006, a Z 850 train is passing near Les Chosalets, between La Joux and Argentière.
The longest avalanche gallery of the line is located above Les Chosalets.
The longest avalanche gallery of the line is located above Les Chosalets.
Between Argentière and La Joux, these nets mitigate the fall of objects onto the track.
Between Argentière and La Joux, these nets mitigate the fall of objects onto the track.
This electric wires can detect the fall of stones onto the track.
This electric wires can detect the fall of stones onto the track.
A Z 800 EMU heading to Chamonix is leaving Argentière.
A Z 800 EMU heading to Chamonix is leaving Argentière.
Just before entering the Argentière station, this Z 800 train is passing in front of the “Grand Roc” (“Great Rock”) shopping center.
Just before entering the Argentière station, this Z 800 train is passing in front of the “Grand Roc” (“Great Rock”) shopping center.
Entry in Argentière station.
Entry in Argentière station. When the line open, this stations had a goods shed. Nowadays it is much more modest: only two tracks are used for everyday service.
Last update: 12 August 2023. © Christophe Jacquet, 2000-2023. Legal and terms of use. Contact. Site map.
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