[dwb]

The last rail has been laid in the new Loetschberg BASE tunnel which is part of the Berne - Brig rail route in Switzerland. This in turn forms part of a wider network linking northern Italy to north western Europe. This tunnel is the first of a group of longer, deeper, higher speed tunnels under the Alps to be completed. This one tunnel will cut the Berne - Brig journey time from 90 minutes to 60.

You can view the short news video by visiting the swiissinfo website and choosing the Loetschberg story from the multi media section in the lower left of the home page.

Enjoy
David

 

[dwb]

As an indication of just how much longer the new Lotschberg tunnel is compared to the old, the northern end of the tunnel is a couple of miles before Frutigen a long way down the valley from the current tunnel entrance at Kandersteg. It can be seen clearly from the main road between Spiez and Frutigen, as can the piggy back lorry trains which pass regularly along the current line hauled by double headed BLS 465 class locomotives.

David

 

[dwb]

Four years on and there's so much traffic using the new tunnel, the cantons of Bern and Vallais are beginning a campaign to have it upgraded to carry more traffic - story on Swissinfo website

David

 

[Brian Considine]

I'm sure that the Swiss have ample funds of other peoples money to pay for the upgrade out of petty cash (TIC).