Gotthard Spirals
This sequence of pictures shows the effort the 19th century engineers had to go through to run a railways through the barrier of the Alps. It on the south ramp of the Gotthard line, between Giornico and Lavorgo, where the very busy double track line loops round in two complete spirals to gain height.
I took all three pictures from the same viewpoint, on the main road near the post bus stop.
A northbound intermodal approaches on the lowest level. The presence of three locomotives, two Re6/6s and a smaller Re4/4, is unusual; I would assume the train is booked for an Re10/10 (one Re6/6 and one Re4/4), and the second Re6/6 is a balancing working to save a light engine path.
A few minutes later, the same train appears at the middle level having passed through the Travi spiral tunnel.
Finally the train appears at the top level having passed through the Pianotondo spiral tunnel. The southbound passenger train on the middle level rather took me by surprise!
July 30th, 2005 at 11:36 pm
That would make a waaaaaaaay cool train set. The layout-on-a-door fraternity needn’t even take the door off it’s hinges
July 31st, 2005 at 8:39 pm
Or model it in O gauge in a split-level home…
August 2nd, 2005 at 10:01 pm
wow - great photos.
I’d take that ride just for the photos of such an unusual site.
August 3rd, 2005 at 10:34 pm
The Gotthard is one of those classic rail routes you just have to ride
It’s not just that location; there’s also the double loops at Wassen on the northern ramp of the line; you pass the village three times on different levels.
May 29th, 2008 at 6:12 pm
I am fascinated by the engineering masterpiece of the Gotthard line, and especially this section, with the 2 helicoidal tunnels. I have passed it long time ago (1982), when the elevated highway was still being built. I have some pics of this section, taken from the train. There is also a nice YouTube cab ride, seen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1oc7Qd9Wdo&feature=related