Cab Ride on Intermodal Train up the Gotthard Pass

Trains Magazine General Discussion
1

Here is a great cab ride video shot from the cab of a Re620 (B-B-B) locomotive in pusher service on the North Ramp of the Gotthard Pass from Erstfeld station to Göschenen at the entrance to the Summit tunnel. The video includes the light engine movement back to Erstfeld. The ruling grade is 2.7%. It begins immediately upon leaving the station trackage at Erstfeld, and is never less than 2.6%. Speed on the climb is ~80 kph (about 50 mph). There is one complete spiral tunnel on the climb, and two Horseshoe tunnels at Wassen.

GoTrain: Re620 im Schubdienst

John Beaulieu

2

As you said, this is a great one. Thanks very much for posting it.

3

1 hr. 9 mins. long, after a 2+ min. RR/ industry-oriented ad for “Powerblankets” (?).

That electric moves right out from a standing start in the first minute or so !

  • Paul North.
4

Unless you are the lead dog, the view doesn’t change!

5

What professional operation. Move the cargo and as the “Cable Guy” says “Get er done” Great plant and equipment. Would rather have been in the front but…

Thanks for the link.

6

There are Cab Ride videos over the Gotthard Pass available. What I wanted to show was that even with a pusher and a steep grade, freight over the Gotthard Pass moves quickly, because it has to, in order to keep up with the passenger trains. While freight tonnage over the pass is no Horseshoe Curve, it is still respectable in tonnage, and higher in numbers than any US line with peak numbers on Thursday through Saturday around 150 freight trains per 24-hr period.