Elasticity for the slab track in the Gotthard Base Tunnel

Sylodyn® elastic insertion pads for sleeper boots in the world's longest rail tunnel

©Alptransit Gotthard

At 57 kilometres in length, the Gotthard Base Tunnel is the longest rail tunnel in the world. It links the Swiss communities of Erstfeld and Bodio. The tunnel forms part of the New Railway Link through the Alps (NRLA), which is at present the largest construction project in Switzerland.

The challenges

The project of the century: At 57 kilometres, the longest railway tunnel in the world.
Particular environmental conditions in the tunnel – such as ambient temperatures of up to 40 °C and humidity as high as 70%.
Strong pressure and suction forces due to the high speeds of the trains.
Above-average stress on the line due to extremely frequent use of track, with up to 250 trains per day.

The Getzner solution

All the materials in the Gotthard Base Tunnel and on the lines leading to the tunnel entrances must provide outstanding performance over their entire service life. For these special requirements, Sonneville AG's LVT (Low Vibration Track) system was selected – one of the world's first slab track systems.

In addition, all the slab track turnouts (manufactured by voestalpine-Weichensysteme GmbH) in the tunnel have been supported elastically with the Sylodyn® material. Numerous turnouts and individual track sections on the main lines feeding into the tunnel with ballast superstructure have also been fitted with Getzner sleeper pads.

Construction workers and excavators laying track slabs for ballastless track in the Gotthard Base Tunnel.

Advantages for the customer

Optimised solution
Extensive project support
Just-in-time logistics
Increase of track stability and service life
High supply availability and optimum quality

Getzner had to ensure high supply availability for the whole duration of the project, and guarantee a consistent extremely high level of quality – for the entire period of use.