Teh 2023 Gotthard tunnel accident, involving a freight train, resulted in millions of dollars in damage and the closure of one tunnel tube for several months. In response, the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) is implementing measures that surpass current EU regulations.
Following the freight train accident in the Gotthard tunnel approximately two years prior, one of the tunnel’s tubes remained closed for several months. To prevent similar incidents, the SBB is taking proactive steps, including phasing out the existing brake system on freight cars and implementing more rigorous train inspections. The final report from the Swiss Security inquiry Centre (Sust) emphasizes the urgency for Europe to take action.
Final Report: Freight Train Separation in Faido
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The Swiss Security Examination Center (Sust)’s comprehensive 100-page final report provides a detailed account and analysis of the August 2023 accident. The report indicates that the freight train, consisting of 30 cars, originated in italy and was en route to Basel via the west tube. after traveling ten kilometers, a wheel on the eleventh car fractured.Initially, the train operator was unaware of the issue. Afterward, the train separated at the lane change in Faido (Ticino, Switzerland). The front portion continued moving forward, while the rear section collided with a tunnel wall. The accident was attributed to an undetected crack in a wheel.
The wheel fracture triggered the freight train accident in August 2023.
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Switzerland to Phase out Specific Brake Type
According to Philippe Thürler, Head of “Railway” at Sust, wheel cracks are not isolated incidents but rather a systemic issue. Further investigations revealed cracks in othre wheels of the derailed car eleven.
The risk is just too high for us.
The report identifies the material used in the brake system as the source of the crack problem: LL-type Lärmms soles made of plastic. This brake type is also used by the German DB Cargo. A spokesperson for Deutsche Bahn stated in February that approximately 60,000 freight wagons from DB Cargo are equipped with LL braking soles. The SBB now intends to remove freight cars with this type of braking system from operation due to the high risk involved. This decision affects one in five cars operated by SBB cargo.
Over 600,000 wagons transport goods throughout Europe.
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Switzerland Calls for Enhanced Wheel and Brake Inspections
To prevent future accidents similar to the one in the Gotthard tunnel, the Sust is advocating for more thorough inspections of wheels, brakes, and their components. michael Müller from the Swiss Federal Office of Transport supports this approach. Given that approximately 600,000 wagons transport goods across Europe’s rail network, Müller emphasizes the need for international cooperation.
The SBB is also proposing a measure in the Swiss parliament to involve car owners in accident costs, aiming to create an economic incentive for increased safety measures. While the European railway agency has yet to take action, the SBB believes that a cross-border solution is essential to address the problem effectively.
Consequences of the Gotthard Base Tunnel Accident
The accident in the Gotthard base tunnel on August 10, 2023, resulted in the closure of one tunnel tube for a year and caused approximately CHF 150 million in damage to infrastructure and freight cars.Fortunately, no one was injured. The vehicle recovery process alone took 42 days. during the tunnel’s closure, all trains were rerouted via the Gotthard mountain route, significantly increasing travel times.The tunnel was fully reopened on September 2, 2024, more then a year after the incident.
