Update on ICM Case - one tube re-opened
ICM in Switzerland - one tube of the Gotthard base tunnel is open again
The first freight train to use the east tunnel from the south last night was a RailCare composition. A postal train from Härkingen to Cadenazzo followed from the north. In addition, three SBB double-decker trains were returned from Ticino to German-speaking Switzerland during the night. These had been blocked since the interruption in Ticino because the panorama route cannot be used by double-decker trains. In the last few days, test runs have been successfully carried out in the east tunnel. The mobile gate, which was installed to replace the badly damaged gauge change gate, has proved its worth.
This ensures safe operation of freight traffic in the east tunnel and safe working at the accident site in the west tunnel. The single-track concept envisages four freight trains running through the base tunnel one after the other. Subsequently, the east tunnel will be used by four freight trains in the opposite direction. This means that a total of almost 100 freight trains per day can travel through the base tunnel. Around 30 will be diverted via the panorama route.
The maximum capacity via the Gotthard axis could thus be further increased compared to the last information and thus amounts to 130 freight trains. In 2022, an average of around 120 freigt trains per day were running through the base tunnel on working days. Diversions via the Lötschberg-Simplon axis will nevertheless continue.
More information can be found HERE. (German, French and Italian)
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