photo: swissinfo.ch/Disruption in the Heart of Europe: Switzerland’s Gotthard Base Tunnel Faces Extended Closure
Switzerland’s Gotthard Base Tunnel, the world’s longest rail tunnel, is currently facing major disruption due to a derailment that took place around noon on August 10th at the Faido multifunction station. The derailment, which involved a freight train, caused considerable damage to the infrastructure, including track and switch equipment.
Initially, the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) projected the tunnel to be closed until August 16th. However, the damage turned out to be more extensive than first assessed. As a result, passenger trains are currently being rerouted over the historic Gotthard Pass route, adding significant delays to travel times.
Read more
In recent years, Europe's Rail's European DAC Delivery Programme has developed a technical solution for the coupling. The decision to continue the…
The implications of this derailment are vast. The tunnel, serving as a primary trans-European route, has been a pivotal conduit for both freight and passenger traffic since its inauguration in 2016. In its first year, the tunnel facilitated up to 165 freight trains daily and catered to an average of 11,000 passengers. While some freight trains have been rerouted, combined transport traffic, which can't use the old panoramic route due to profile differences, is particularly affected. The SBB has indicated that freight operations might resume by August 23rd through the undamaged east tunnel. However, this solution is seen as temporary, especially since the compromised door, which serves as a fire break and air circulation separator between the two tunnel tubes, is currently replaced with a mobile gate.
Read more
Hitachi Rail’s world-first 360Pass app, connecting Genoa’s entire public transport infrastructure, is now available to all 600,000 citizens and the 3,500,000…
The aftermath of the accident unveils a longer recovery path than expected. Detailed assessments by the SBB reveal that over eight kilometers of tracks and 20,000 concrete sleepers are in need of replacement. Such comprehensive repairs mean that the Gotthard Base Tunnel might not fully reopen before 2024. The precise dynamics behind the accident remain unclear. Although a stuck brake on a freight wagon was detected and fixed shortly before the derailment, it was not the wagon believed to have derailed first. Investigations by the Swiss Safety Investigation Board and regional authorities are ongoing to ascertain the cause.
Read more
In the world of rail transport, the constant goal is to achieve greater efficiency, reliability, and environmental friendliness. One of the technologies…
Tags