A new tunnel inaugurated in Alps. This new 57km long tunnel disappears Alps from railway maps. From now on movement of people and goods from North to South will be easier. Angela Merkel, Francois Hollande and Matteo Renci travelled together with 1000 passengers in this new trip. In the attached image, the first train, that comes out of Gotthard tunnel is shown.
Construction of the tunnel started in 1982. A rule that prohibited freight trains from passing through Alps accelerated the construction. It took 17 years and 12,2 billion to build this innovative tunnel. It will serves two passenger and six freight trains per hour and the operation speed will be up to 250 km/h for passenger trains. Because of the lower slope freight trains will transfer almost 44% more tonnage.
Since now, trains had to travel in a 1500meter altitude. In this new tunnel trains have to "climb" in only 550meters. Finally lot of innovative systems have been implemented for passenger safety. One of them includes a second railway line with an emergency locomotive.
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