Tunnels

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Those who are interested in N&W and VGN tunnels in general, and NS' tunnel modifications for the Heartland Corridor in particular, should be interested in tunnel developments in Switzerland with a somewhat similar objective as the Heartland Corridor.  In 1994 the Swiss voted in a national referendum to put all freight crossing their country on the railways.  To do this and to provide high speed passenger trains through the Alps, the Swiss are building two new double-bore, tunnels.  Note on the attached profile that there was a long climb up to the 9-1/4-mile double-track St. Gotthard tunnel opened in 1882 between Gischenen and Airolo whereas the 35.4-mile, double-bore Gotthard Base Tunnel now under construction has very little in the way of grades.  Opening is projected for 2017 at the earliest.

Drilling work has commenced on the 9.6-mile Ceneri Base Tunnel, but work on the Zimmerberg Base Tunnel reportedly has been postponed.

Three years ago the Swiss opened the 21.5-mile Lotchberg Base Tunnel which likewise reduced the climb to the old 9-mile, double-track Lotchberg Tunnel opened in 1913.  The new tunnel is only one-third double bore due to budgetary restraints, so the old tunnel is still in use for a portion of the traffic.  Incidentally, the Lotchberg tunnels are on the same through line to Italy as the 12.3-mile, double-bore Simplon Tunnel opened in 1906.

The length given for tunnels is portal to portal, i.e., each bore of a double-bore tunnel has that length.

Gordon Hamilton
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