Vereina Tunnel
Encyclopedia
The Vereina Tunnel is a railway tunnel situated in eastern Switzerland
, which at 19,058 m is the longest tunnel on the Swiss RhB railway network as well as the world's longest metre gauge
railway tunnel. In length, it is followed by the Furka Base Tunnel (15,442 m) and the Albula Tunnel
(5,865 m).
The tunnel was built to improve all-weather transport links in the eastern part of Canton Graubünden
, as the Flüela Pass
(between Davos
and Susch
) is prone to heavy snowfall and avalanches
in the winter months. Construction began in 1991 and the tunnel opened to traffic November 19, 1999. The total cost of the tunnel came to CHF
812 million.
Service is based on hourly regional trains between Scuol
-Tarasp
and Chur
, complemented every 30 minutes by shuttle trains transporting road vehicles between the two valleys linked via the tunnel and by freight trains. The tunnel is single track, with passing loops (each two km long) in the middle and near the two portals. Electrification
is the RhB overhead standard of 11 kV 16.7 Hz AC.
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
, which at 19,058 m is the longest tunnel on the Swiss RhB railway network as well as the world's longest metre gauge
Metre gauge
Metre gauge refers to narrow gauge railways and tramways with a track gauge of . In some African, American and Asian countries it is the main gauge. In Europe it has been used for local railways in France, Germany, and Belgium, most of which were closed down in mid 20th century. Only in Switzerland...
railway tunnel. In length, it is followed by the Furka Base Tunnel (15,442 m) and the Albula Tunnel
Albula Tunnel
The Albula Tunnel is the centrepiece of the Albula Railway, which forms part of the Rhaetian Railway network, in the Canton of Graubünden, Switzerland...
(5,865 m).
The tunnel was built to improve all-weather transport links in the eastern part of Canton Graubünden
Graubünden
Graubünden or Grisons is the largest and easternmost canton of Switzerland. The canton shares borders with the cantons of Ticino, Uri, Glarus and St. Gallen and international borders with Italy, Austria and Liechtenstein...
, as the Flüela Pass
Flüela Pass
Flüela Pass is a high mountain pass in the Swiss Alps in the canton of Graubünden. The pass road connects Davos and Susch in the lower Engadin valley.Since the Vereina Tunnel opened in 1999, the road is no longer open all year.-See also:...
(between Davos
Davos
Davos is a municipality in the district of Prättigau/Davos in the canton of Graubünden, Switzerland. It has a permanent population of 11,248 . Davos is located on the Landwasser River, in the Swiss Alps, between the Plessur and Albula Range...
and Susch
Susch
Susch is a municipality in the district of Inn in the Swiss canton of Graubünden.The Flüela Pass connects Susch with Davos.-Demographics:Susch has a population of ....
) is prone to heavy snowfall and avalanches
Avalanche
An avalanche is a sudden rapid flow of snow down a slope, occurring when either natural triggers or human activity causes a critical escalating transition from the slow equilibrium evolution of the snow pack. Typically occurring in mountainous terrain, an avalanche can mix air and water with the...
in the winter months. Construction began in 1991 and the tunnel opened to traffic November 19, 1999. The total cost of the tunnel came to CHF
Swiss franc
The franc is the currency and legal tender of Switzerland and Liechtenstein; it is also legal tender in the Italian exclave Campione d'Italia. Although not formally legal tender in the German exclave Büsingen , it is in wide daily use there...
812 million.
Service is based on hourly regional trains between Scuol
Scuol
Scuol is a municipality in the district of Inn in the Swiss canton of Graubünden. The official language in Scuol is Romansh.-Name:The official name has undergone several changes in the 20th century:...
-Tarasp
Tarasp
Tarasp is a municipality in the district of Inn in the Swiss canton of Graubünden. Its eleven settlements are situated within the Lower Engadin valley along the Inn River, at the foot of the Sesvenna Range....
and Chur
Chur
Chur or Coire is the capital of the Swiss canton of Graubünden and lies in the northern part of the canton.-History:The name "chur" derives perhaps from the Celtic kora or koria, meaning "tribe", or from the Latin curia....
, complemented every 30 minutes by shuttle trains transporting road vehicles between the two valleys linked via the tunnel and by freight trains. The tunnel is single track, with passing loops (each two km long) in the middle and near the two portals. Electrification
Railway electrification system
A railway electrification system supplies electrical energy to railway locomotives and multiple units as well as trams so that they can operate without having an on-board prime mover. There are several different electrification systems in use throughout the world...
is the RhB overhead standard of 11 kV 16.7 Hz AC.