I just wanted to post some Info for those interested:

  • A cargo train of around 50 carriages derailed in the tunnel going North in one of the Gottard tunnels.
  • A few carriages passed the interchange between the two tunnels when something on a carriage caused damage to the interchange and then caused the separation of the train sending part of it through the protective door between the two tunnels. The door was closed at the time as it should be.
  • The train was ok when it passed the scan (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwx_rumXUAw) before it entered the tunnel. The track was also 100% so that is why the investigators are looking very closely at the moment.
  • The door stopped the carriages from damaging the N->S side but the door was heavily damaged as well as the rail infrastructure on the S->N side. Picture of the door: https://news.sbb.ch/_file/23661/_r1280x689cc you can see the carriage on its side which was covered and filled with pallets.
  • The hazardous materials where in carriages behind the accident and did not derail. Those could be safely removed without any incident. The hazardous material carriages were traveling empty however regulations require them to be declared as hazardous no mater if full or empty.
  • No rail traffic can go through either side even the undamaged N -> S side until the door is either fixed or a temporary solution is found. The door is custom made and will take a long time to get a new one.
  • All rail possible is diverted along the scenic route however double-deckers can not pass through the tunnels as well as some cargo as they don’t fit.
  • They expect 30% less seating capacity.
  • At this time the investigators (SUST) are still investigating. Until it’s given free only then they can see the total damage at which point they start with repairs.

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