GÉRARDMER, Vosges, France. The electric tram to the Schlucht (1910s)

GÉRARDMER
The electric tram ascending to the Schlucht.

Postcard published by A. Largeron, Nº 77. (1910s)

At the beginning of the 20th century, the Schlucht pass (at 1,139 meters above sea level) served as the border between France and the German Empire. On 29 June 1904, an electric tram line was inaugurated from Gérardmer, and on 13 May 1907, on the German side, another tram line was put into service from the Alsatian city of Munster. At the top of Schlucht there were, therefore, two tram stations, and both passengers coming from France and those arriving from Germany had to get off and walk a few meters if they wanted to continue their journey towards the neighboring country: the journey between Gérardmer and Munster took two hours and a half. To change lines, passengers had to go through customs. Both services were interrupted during the First World War and resumed in the 1920s, until they were permanently suspended on 28 August 1939 and replaced by a bus line.

Traveler's collection.

Tramway built by the United Electric Car Company in 1913 to work between Gérardmer and Le Hohneck (France)

Tramway built by the United Electric Car Company in 1913 to work between Gérardmer and Le Hohneck (France). Photo: UEC Co. Ltd.

Tramway construit par l'United Electric Car Company en 1913 pour la ligne entre Gérardmer et Le Hohneck (France). Photo: UEC Co. Ltd.
[Ligne essentiellement touristique constituant cependant un des maillons de la première liaison transvosgienne, la ligne de Gérardmer à Retournemer, au col de la Schlucht et au Hohneck, fruit du secteur touristique gérômois, fut la première à être ouverte des trois lignes à voies métriques reliant la vallée de la Moselle, côté vosgien, à la vallée de la Fecht, côté alsacien. Le 25 juillet 1897 fût mis en service le tronçon Gérardmer - Retournemer. En 1904 commence l'électrification de la ligne (terminée en 1932), et le 29 juin de la même année fût ouvert le tronçon Retournemer - La Schlucht - Le Hohneck. Le service fût suspendu le 28 août 1940, et le 19 décembre 1950 la ligne fûr déclasée.]

Tranvía construido por la United Electric Car Company en 1913 para la línea entre Gérardmer y Le Hohneck (Francia). Foto: UEC Co. Ltd.

Tramvia construït per la United Electric Car Company l'any 1913 per a la línia entre Gérardmer i Le Hohneck (França). Foto: UEC Co. Ltd.

Tram costruito dalla United Electric Car Company nel 1913 per la linea tra Gérardmer e Le Hohneck (Francia). Foto: UEC Co. Ltd.

From Modern Tramway and Light Rail Transit, London, Vol. 51, No. 602 (February 1988), p. 49.
Traveler's collection.