European Railroad Discussion > Brenner Base Tunnel, Innsbruck Bypass, 64KM

Pix, vid, animation:
https://www.bbt-se.com/en/
 

Thanks, very informative

Thanks, a great subject and needed in the USA

For me the sound is messed up, with double  talking.

It's definitely one of those things I have mixed feelings about.  On one hand, it's great to see Europe investing in its rail links and building some really amazing civil engineering projects, and Brenner is a busy, tough railroad with 3% climbs and sharp curves on both approaches.  On the other hand, Brenner Pass is a beautiful ride.  I've done it both during the day and on a clear, moonlit night, and it's absolutely stunning both ways.  Future passengers will just get to see ~40miles of dark hole.  But, truck traffic across Brenner on the parallel highway is massive, so if they can shift a lot of it to rail it's a win.

Assuming travel gets back to normal in the next couple years, I'll have to make it over and ride the line one more time.  Love that part of the world.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/03/20 16:17 by NDHolmes.

NDHolmes Wrote:
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>  On
> the other hand, Brenner Pass is a beautiful
> ride.  I've done it both during the day and on a
> clear, moonlit night, and it's absolutely stunning
> both ways.  Future passengers will just get to
> see ~40miles of dark hole. 

They may retain some passenger service over the top. That's what happened when the Lötschberg Base Tunnel was opened.

TAW

TAW Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> NDHolmes Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> >  On
> > the other hand, Brenner Pass is a beautiful
> > ride.  I've done it both during the day and on
> a
> > clear, moonlit night, and it's absolutely
> stunning
> > both ways.  Future passengers will just get to
> > see ~40miles of dark hole. 
>
> They may retain some passenger service over the
> top. That's what happened when the Lötschberg
> Base Tunnel was opened.
>
> TAW

Yes, and there is still passenger service over the old route on the Gotthard, also in Switzerland.

Jim

I didn't see any mention of the dispute between Brenner Base Tunnel AG and one of their major contractors which is likely to push back further the already delayed opening from
2028 to perhaps some time in 2030.

Jimbo Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

>
> Yes, and there is still passenger service over the
> old route on the Gotthard, also in Switzerland.
>

Thanks. I though so but wasn't sure enough to post it.

TAW

SOO6617 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I didn't see any mention of the dispute between
> Brenner Base Tunnel AG and one of their major
> contractors which is likely to push back further
> the already delayed opening from
> 2028 to perhaps some time in 2030.

I thought about posting that yesterday but got busy on other stuff and didn't. https://www.railjournal.com/infrastructure/legal-challenge-looms-after-e966m-brenner-base-tunnel-contract-cancelled/?utm_source=&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=21044

TAW

NDHolmes Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> It's definitely one of those things I have mixed
> feelings about.  On one hand, it's great to see
> Europe investing in its rail links and building
> some really amazing civil engineering projects,
> and Brenner is a busy, tough railroad with 3%
> climbs and sharp curves on both approaches.  On
> the other hand, Brenner Pass is a beautiful
> ride.  I've done it both during the day and on a
> clear, moonlit night, and it's absolutely stunning
> both ways.  Future passengers will just get to
> see ~40miles of dark hole.  But, truck traffic
> across Brenner on the parallel highway is massive,
> so if they can shift a lot of it to rail it's a
> win.
>
> Assuming travel gets back to normal in the next
> couple years, I'll have to make it over and ride
> the line one more time.  Love that part of the
> world.

I know what you mean, but the fact is that the success of the railway depends on its utility to potential passengers and freight customers. Nice scenery attracts a few sightseers, yes, but it is infinitesimal in comparison with those who will choose rail because it will get them where they want to go, when they want to go, and in a timely manner. And for most people, they might do a scenic ride once (*maybe*), but if it’s not competitive with other modes, they will not be the repeat customers the railway needs.

Posted from iPhone

pennengineer Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> NDHolmes Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > It's definitely one of those things I have
> mixed
> > feelings about.  On one hand, it's great to
> see
> > Europe investing in its rail links and building
> > some really amazing civil engineering projects,
> > and Brenner is a busy, tough railroad with 3%
> > climbs and sharp curves on both approaches. 
> On
> > the other hand, Brenner Pass is a beautiful
> > ride.

> I know what you mean, but the fact is that the
> success of the railway depends on its utility to
> potential passengers and freight customers. Nice
> scenery attracts a few sightseers, yes, but it is
> infinitesimal in comparison with those who will
> choose rail because it will get them where they
> want to go, when they want to go, and in a timely
> manner.

So similar to the arguments about the Point Defiance Bypass prior to the opening...for one train.

TAW

I finally found the pictures. There is a rather unique feature of tunnels like this. They are so deep (in addition to long) that ventilation and cooling are essential considerations. The Lötschberg Base Tunnel is 'only' 21.5 miles long. The tunnel has a maximum depth of about 2,600 feet. At that depth, the temperature of the rock through which the tunnel was drilled is about 113 deg. F.
In the traffic control (dispatchers) office in Speiz, there is one position that has only the duty of monitoring the tunnel, using cameras and sensors to determine the condition of the tunnel, the systems, and the trains.

TAW

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