Date: 13/12/2016

Commercial services began running through Switzerland's Gotthard Base Tunnel with the start of the 2017 timetable on December 11, resulting in shorter journey times for passengers and freight customers along the north-south Gotthard corridor.

The 57.1 km tunnel was handed over by constructor AlpTransit to Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) in June, and this was followed by an intensive period of testing.

The timetable change means that passengers journey times will be cut by around 30 minutes, and freight services will have their train path capacity raised from 180 to 210 trains per day.

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Timetabled services begin through Gotthard Base Tunnel

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Related images

Southern portal of the new Gotthard Base Tunnel, as seen from a northbound train that has started the climb on the original Gotthard route with its world famous spirals. This view taken in June 2016 when the tunnel had been completed but wasn't yet open for scheduled trains.
Location: Gotthard Base Tunnel
Company: Swiss Federal Railways (Gotthard Line)
25/06/2016 Mark Bartlett

The north portals of the new Gotthard Base Tunnel, seen from the observation car of a northbound Wilhelm Tell Express from Locarno to Lucerne that had just traversed the old mountain route in June 2016. With the full opening of the tunnel to scheduled services in December 2016 the only trains using the old route will be scenic excursions and local EMUs.
Location: Gotthard Base Tunnel
Company: Swiss Federal Railways (Gotthard Line)
25/06/2016 Mark Bartlett

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