The Swiss are still valiantly at work in its through-the-Alps construction of what will be the longest (35 mile) railroad tunnel in the world, set for completion in 2017 but started in 1993. When completed, this Gotthard Base Tunnel will provide a 2 1/2 hour ride (presumably passenger) from Zurick to Milan. The brief information site below shows an interior photograph plus a resource on how tunnels are made.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ynews/20101006/wl_ynews/ynews_wl3824
Thanks for the link and update. That’ll be 24 years 'til it’s done - close to the 25 years that it took for the 5-mile Hoosac Tunnel in western Massachusetts from the 1850’s to the 1870’s or so. So in 150 years the technology has progressed to about 7 times as fast - the rock is roughly similar, as both are granitic type. But the more significant factor is the logistics of the haul here of the excavated ‘spoils’ out and the tunnel lining and track materials in - it all has to go many miles from the ‘working face’ to one end or the other, unless they’ve also drilled intermediate access shafts ? That makes it like 7 times 7 harder and more expensive . . . [:-^]
The 24 years also provides some perspective on Amtrak’s 25 to 30 year plan to improve the NorthEast Corridor that was released last week. It isn’t just the cathedral builders in the Middle Ages who started work on a project that likely would not be completed in their lifetimes . . .
And I have to wonder about the contractual arrangements for this, over the 24 years. Is this being paid for by the Swiss government, on an annual appropriation, or by the Swiss Federal Railways ? Or, where else is the financing coming from
[quote user=“Paul_D_North_Jr”]
Thanks for the link and update. That’ll be 24 years 'til it’s done - close to the 25 years that it took for the 5-mile Hoosac Tunnel in western Massachusetts from the 1850’s to the 1870’s or so. So in 150 years the technology has progressed to about 7 times as fast - the rock is roughly similar, as both are granitic type. But the more significant factor is the logistics of the haul here of the excavated ‘spoils’ out and the tunnel lining and track materials in - it all has to go many miles from the ‘working face’ to one end or the other, unless they’ve also drilled intermediate access shafts ? That makes it like 7 times 7 harder and more expensive . . .
The 24 years also provides some perspective on Amtrak’s 25 to 30 year plan to improve the NorthEast Corridor that was released last week. It isn’t just the cathedral builders in the Middle Ages who started work on a project that likely would not be completed in their lifetimes . . .
And I have to wonder about the contractual arrangements for this, over the 24 years. Is this being paid for by the Swiss government, on an annual appropriation, or by the Swiss Federal Railways
I found an update on MSNBC: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39670683/ns/world_news-world_environment. They shoul break through on Friday.
Another story covering the completion of boring the Gotthard Base Tunnel
These reports bring up a host of questions.
Is there an overall article that describes the order of construction and planned milestones?
There is mention of this being a twin tunnel project. Is the break thru going to be the 1st tunnel or the second?
Is a service / escape tunnel also being or going to be bored?
How many cross overs planned between tunnels?
If there is a significant difference in time from the 1st tunnel break thru to the second will the first tunnel be completed allowing possible partial service? As sections to the above cross overs starting from the ends of the second tunnel are completed will these sections be placed in service to gradually increase service untill the whole 2 track tunnels are complete?
Any special items such as voltage and freq?
//goIt
First, but second is very close, should be just days
Second Bore serves as escape tunnel
Two Crossovers
No, both tunnels will be completed at the same time.
Standard Swiss 15kV/16.7Hz with ETCS 2.3 signalling
I’m confused. They are saying they are almost done with something that will be finished in 2017. The reporting is a bit lacking if you ask me. I wonder how often tunnels like this run into well shafts?
Watch the breakthrough live here:
The breakthrough occurred at approx 0700 CDT Friday October 15th, 2010. They will need a few days to finish boring Tunnel number two. Of course today is lost with celebrations. A couple of days to clean up the remaining rock at the breakthough site. Dismantle the two TBMs, etc. Then they have to line the tunnels (already started) install the electrification system, install the track, install the signal system, then test every thing. First train will travel through (a test train) probably late 2016. Regular service in 2017.
Please someone refresh my memory! Was there not a pretty extensive article on the Swiss railway situation in TRAINS some time back?
I seem to recall that part of the article covered the tunnel mentioned here, I think there were some repersentational drawings as well with it.
Thanks!
At this depth - 2,500 meters/ yards below the Alpine mountain summit above - and in that kind of mountainous terrain, practically never.
For shallower tunnels in more populated areas, it ranges from ‘‘occasionally’’ to ‘‘pretty often’’. The boring of the PRR’s Gallitzin and Allegheny Tunnels at the sumit above Horse Shoe Curve in the early 1900’s was greatly complicated by encountering that kind of thing, though more in the form of abandoned coal mine shafts, even at that early date. I believe that the enlargement of the tunnels in the 1994-1995 time frame also encountered some of those voids from back then.
In locations like the northern part of Manhattan or the Los Angeles suburbs that were pretty rural until 50 to 100 years ago, I would not be surprised if shallow tunnels - such as for subways, water supply conduits, etc. - encounter old well shafts, mines, pits, cesspools, and other man-made excavations that have been filled with various forms of ‘yuck’ with some frequency. But in the grand scheme of things and the routine daily challenges of that business - with the variable rock and soil conditions, seams of fractured rock, and ground water-bearing sand and gravel lenses, etc. to also deal with - an old well shaft would be a pretty minor event.
Yes, Sam there was. I do not remember just how recently it was, but I think that it was in the last year or two.
I fond the article quite interesting.
Might you be thinking of Jim Wrinn’s photo-article within the last 2 or 3 months ? It focused on like 5 major aspects or features of their system and operations. What I remember most was the steep mountain-climbing cog railroads.
There was also a far more in depth article about the major projects the Swiss are undertaking in TRAINS about 2-3 years ago…Sadly, this would be a good application for the now defunct online index…