Rail 2000
Encyclopedia
Rail 2000 is a large-scale project of the Swiss Federal Railways (SFR) established in 1987 to improve the quality of the Swiss rail network
. It includes measures to accelerate a number of existing connections and the modernisation of rolling stock. The federal government decision to support the project in 1986 was approved by a referendum in 1987. In 2004 the first phase was completed consisting of around 130 projects with a budget of around CHF
5.9 billion.
(German: Taktfahrplan). Under this timetable trains arrive and leave each station at the same minute past every hour. Services at Zurich station were reorganised so that trains arrived on each line before the hour or half-hour and left after the hour or half-hour, making it easier to change to trains on other lines. This required the provision of additional platforms to allow every train to be in station simultaneously. The Rail 2000 project was intended to enhance the regular interval timetable.
and Lake Constance
and between Basel and Olten. On these routes, a total of 120 kilometres of new line would allow operation of trains at up to 200 kilometres per hour, similar to the French TGV
s.
A Federal Government committee supported SFR's proposal but considered that investment should be initially concentrated on the sections of route between Basel, Olten and Bern. To the contrary, the canton of Solothurn
complained that the new line would benefit only the large centres and that rural areas would be disadvantaged. An action committee was established to oppose it at a referendum. This proved unnecessary, however, as the Federal Council
took the view that the project was "too narrow" and too focussed on the East-West transverse line and its feeder lines with too little done to improve Swiss railway system as a whole. In mid 1984 the Directorate General of the SFR established an expert group under the name "Rail 2000" with a mission to develop a new concept that not only improved the main axes, but would develop the whole Swiss rail network in the medium to long-term.
called the concept attractive, flexible and evolutionary. The aim of the concept was to connect the main hub stations in less than an hour (particularly Zürich, Bern and Lausanne) so that trains could arrive before the hour or half hour and depart again shortly thereafter. Trains therefore would have to run as fast as necessary to meet this object, not as fast as possible.
The federal parliament voted to approve Rail 2000 in May 1986. It granted CHF 5.4 billion for the Mattstetten–Rothrist new line between Olten and Bern and for a connection from near Herzogenbuchsee
to Solothurn
. Opposition formed in regions where the new line would be built. The opposition was directed not against the rail project, but against the route of the new line and the loss of arable land. Nevertheless all major parties supported the project at a referendum in 1987 and it gained a majority of 57.0%.
A further modification of the project was the decision to construct a new double track line in the tunnel from Zürich to Thalwil (Zimmerberg Base Tunnel
Stage 1) instead of expanding the existing line from two to four lines to allow an expansion of capacity for the Zürich S-Bahn
and long-distance trains connecting to Lucerne and the Gotthard line
.
This project has been renamed as Rail 2000, Stage 1 and was completed on 12 December 2004. Its final cost was CHF 5.9 billion (1994 prices), less than the 1992 estimate for the redesigned project.
Due to the delayed introduction of the new ETCS train control system, the new and upgraded sections of line initially had conventional signalling technology with a maximum speed of only 160 km/h. Therefore, the journey on the central section between Zürich and Bern was shortened by only about 11 minutes instead of the planned 13 minutes. Since March 2007, the entire new line operated with ETCS, allowing an increase to the maximum speed to 200 km/h since December 2007. The resulting reduction in travel time has allowed the regular interval timetable to be stable as it can now cope with some delays.
As part of Rail 2000, in order to introduce language neutrality, the former regional local trains (German: Regionalzüge) were renamed Regio (abbr. R) and the regional fast trains (German: Schnellzüge; French
: train direct; Italian
: treno diretto) were renamed RegioExpress (Abbr. RE) or InterRegio (Abbr. IR).
project is upgrading the two major railway lines through the Swiss Alps
: the Gotthard railway
(including the new Gotthard Base Tunnel
and the Ceneri Base Tunnel
) and Lötschberg line (including the new Lötschberg Base Tunnel
). The upgrade of Gotthard will shorten the journey between German-speaking Switzerland and Ticino
by an hour. The Lötschberg base tunnel was opened in 2007, making a trip from Zürich to the canton of Valais in less than two hours possible; it has shortened the journey between Bern and Brig
and Italy by about a quarter of an hour.
. The 2nd Stage of Rail 2000 is also called "Future development of rail projects" (German: Zukünftige Entwicklung der Bahnprojekte, ZEB). It is envisaged that this stage would be completed by 2030.
The Swiss Federal Railways outlined its ideas for the 2nd Stage in a press conference in April 2006 with the FOT. In principle, it preferred smaller extensions rather large tunnel projects. It emphasised the acceleration of the east-west link and the inclusion of Lausanne, Biel, Interlaken
and St. Gallen
as nodes for the regular interval timetable in addition to Zürich and Bern. The following extensions are planned:
Under Stage 2, travel time from Zürich to both St. Gallen and Biel would be reduced to less than an hour, as would travel time from Bern to Lausanne. These projects, according to SFR would cost approximately CHF 1.5 billion. Extension options are being considered.
SFR favoured not building several projects that were originally proposed for the first phase of Rail 2000 but were deferred when it was cut back:
According to SFR, BLS
has also defined its wishes. It envisages:
Rail transport in Switzerland
The railways of Switzerland include and narrow gauge .*Network size: 5,063 km*standard gauge: , of which is electrified.*narrow gauge: , of which is electrified...
. It includes measures to accelerate a number of existing connections and the modernisation of rolling stock. The federal government decision to support the project in 1986 was approved by a referendum in 1987. In 2004 the first phase was completed consisting of around 130 projects with a budget of around 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...
5.9 billion.
Background
After years of heavy investment in roads in the postwar years, the share of rail in the total passenger market in Switzerland had been significantly reduced by the end of the 1960s. At this time SFR decided that changes were necessary to increase rail patronage. More trains were operated in order to increase frequencies; this led to a 75% increase in passengers between 1971 to 1983 on the Bern–Zürich route. In the 1970s the Swiss government and SFR decided to make further improvements in rail services. In 1972, the SFR introduced a regular interval timetableClock-face scheduling
A clock-face schedule is a timetable, where public means of transport run in consistent intervals. The number of departures per time is the frequency of the service...
(German: Taktfahrplan). Under this timetable trains arrive and leave each station at the same minute past every hour. Services at Zurich station were reorganised so that trains arrived on each line before the hour or half-hour and left after the hour or half-hour, making it easier to change to trains on other lines. This required the provision of additional platforms to allow every train to be in station simultaneously. The Rail 2000 project was intended to enhance the regular interval timetable.
New transverse trunkline
In the late 1960s the SFR developed a proposal for a new east-west trunkline (German: Haupttransversale, NHT). This was considered by the Swiss Transport Commission (German: Schweizerischen Gesamtverkehrskommission, GVK). In 1977 after almost six years work, the GVK submitted a 400-page report, which recommended the construction of a new railway between GenevaGeneva
Geneva In the national languages of Switzerland the city is known as Genf , Ginevra and Genevra is the second-most-populous city in Switzerland and is the most populous city of Romandie, the French-speaking part of Switzerland...
and Lake Constance
Lake Constance
Lake Constance is a lake on the Rhine at the northern foot of the Alps, and consists of three bodies of water: the Obersee , the Untersee , and a connecting stretch of the Rhine, called the Seerhein.The lake is situated in Germany, Switzerland and Austria near the Alps...
and between Basel and Olten. On these routes, a total of 120 kilometres of new line would allow operation of trains at up to 200 kilometres per hour, similar to the French TGV
TGV
The TGV is France's high-speed rail service, currently operated by SNCF Voyages, the long-distance rail branch of SNCF, the French national rail operator....
s.
A Federal Government committee supported SFR's proposal but considered that investment should be initially concentrated on the sections of route between Basel, Olten and Bern. To the contrary, the canton of Solothurn
Canton of Solothurn
Solothurn is a canton of Switzerland. It is located in the northwest of Switzerland. The capital is Solothurn.-History:The territory of the canton comprises land acquired by the capital...
complained that the new line would benefit only the large centres and that rural areas would be disadvantaged. An action committee was established to oppose it at a referendum. This proved unnecessary, however, as the Federal Council
Swiss Federal Council
The Federal Council is the seven-member executive council which constitutes the federal government of Switzerland and serves as the Swiss collective head of state....
took the view that the project was "too narrow" and too focussed on the East-West transverse line and its feeder lines with too little done to improve Swiss railway system as a whole. In mid 1984 the Directorate General of the SFR established an expert group under the name "Rail 2000" with a mission to develop a new concept that not only improved the main axes, but would develop the whole Swiss rail network in the medium to long-term.
Rail 2000
On 27 March 1985 SFR presented the Transport Department with a new project draft. This was met with a positive response from the political parties and associations; the Neue Zürcher ZeitungNeue Zürcher Zeitung
The Neue Zürcher Zeitung is a major German language Swiss daily newspaper based in Zurich.One of the oldest newspapers still published, it originally appeared as Zürcher Zeitung, edited by Salomon Gessner, from January 12, 1780, and was renamed to Neue Zürcher Zeitung in 1821...
called the concept attractive, flexible and evolutionary. The aim of the concept was to connect the main hub stations in less than an hour (particularly Zürich, Bern and Lausanne) so that trains could arrive before the hour or half hour and depart again shortly thereafter. Trains therefore would have to run as fast as necessary to meet this object, not as fast as possible.
The federal parliament voted to approve Rail 2000 in May 1986. It granted CHF 5.4 billion for the Mattstetten–Rothrist new line between Olten and Bern and for a connection from near Herzogenbuchsee
Herzogenbuchsee
Herzogenbuchsee is a municipality in the Oberaargau administrative district in the canton of Bern in Switzerland.The population is 6,646 , counting the villages in the Oberaargau. The traditional name was Buchsi.- History :...
to Solothurn
Solothurn
The city of Solothurn is the capital of the Canton of Solothurn in Switzerland. The city also comprises the only municipality of the district of the same name.-Pre-roman settlement:...
. Opposition formed in regions where the new line would be built. The opposition was directed not against the rail project, but against the route of the new line and the loss of arable land. Nevertheless all major parties supported the project at a referendum in 1987 and it gained a majority of 57.0%.
Development and implementation
By 1991, it was clear that costs had been massively underestimated. The full implementation of the project as planned in 1985 was now estimated to cost CHF 16 billion (1991 prices). In 1992 the Federal Council decreed a modification and staging of the project, with the cost of the first stage set at a maximum of CHF 7.4 billion. This revision had the following consequences:- Cancellation of the proposed new line from Zürich Airport to WinterthurWinterthurWinterthur is a city in the canton of Zurich in northern Switzerland. It has the country's sixth largest population with an estimate of more than 100,000 people. In the local dialect and by its inhabitants, it is usually abbreviated to Winti...
through the BrüttenBrüttenBrütten is a municipality in the district of Winterthur, in the Canton of Zürich, Switzerland.-Geography:Brütten has an area of . Of this area, 58.9% is used for agricultural purposes, while 30.1% is forested. The rest of the land, is settled. housing and buildings made up 6.1% of the total...
tunnel. - The proposed upgrade of the Bern–Lausanne line south of FribourgFribourgFribourg is the capital of the Swiss canton of Fribourg and the district of Sarine. It is located on both sides of the river Saane/Sarine, on the Swiss plateau, and is an important economic, administrative and educational center on the cultural border between German and French Switzerland...
was restricted to the construction of the new Vauderens tunnel, abandoning a proposed new line from SiviriezSiviriezSiviriez is a municipality in the district of Glâne in the canton of Fribourg in Switzerland.-Geography:Siviriez has an area, , of . Of this area, or 74.5% is used for agricultural purposes, while or 17.2% is forested...
to Villars-sur-GlâneVillars-sur-GlâneVillars-sur-Glâne is a municipality in the district of Sarine in the canton of Fribourg in Switzerland.-External links:*...
. - The proposed upgrade of the Hauenstein line was limited to the Adler tunnel, abandoning a proposed third tunnel through the Jura between MuttenzMuttenzMuttenz is a municipality with a population of approximately 17,000 in the canton of Basel-Country in Switzerland. It is located in the district of Arlesheim and next to the city of Basle.-History:...
and Olten. - Use of tilting trainTilting trainA tilting train is a train that has a mechanism enabling increased speed on regular rail tracks. As a train rounds a curve at speed, objects inside the train experience centrifugal force. This can cause packages to slide about or seated passengers to feel squashed by the outboard armrest due to...
s instead of a some line improvements proposed on the line Jura foot lineJura foot railway lineThe Jura foot line or Jura south foot line , also called the Swiss railway line, runs from Olten along the foot of the southern Jura range through Solothurn, Grenchen, Biel/Bienne, Neuchâtel Yverdon-les-Bains and Morges to Geneva. It is one of two routes used by intercity trains between Geneva... - Avoiding platform extensions through the use of double deck coachesBilevel carThe bilevel car or double-decker coach is a type of rail car that has two levels of passenger accommodation, as opposed to one, increasing passenger capacity ....
with a correspondingly higher density of seating
A further modification of the project was the decision to construct a new double track line in the tunnel from Zürich to Thalwil (Zimmerberg Base Tunnel
Zimmerberg Base Tunnel
Zimmerberg Base Tunnel is a railway tunnel in Switzerland. It is divided into two sections: I and II. Zimmerberg I is about 10 km long and links Zurich with Thalwil.Zimmerberg Base Tunnel II work is suspended...
Stage 1) instead of expanding the existing line from two to four lines to allow an expansion of capacity for the Zürich S-Bahn
Zürich S-Bahn
The Zurich S-Bahn system is a network of rapid transit rail lines that has been incrementally expanded to cover the ZVV area, which comprises the entire canton of Zurich and portions of neighboring cantons The Zurich S-Bahn system is a network of rapid transit rail lines that has been...
and long-distance trains connecting to Lucerne and the Gotthard line
Gotthardbahn
Gotthardbahn was the name of a private Swiss railway company which operated the railway line from Immensee to Chiasso . Nowadays this term usually does not refer to that company, but to the railway line itself...
.
This project has been renamed as Rail 2000, Stage 1 and was completed on 12 December 2004. Its final cost was CHF 5.9 billion (1994 prices), less than the 1992 estimate for the redesigned project.
Implementation of Stage 1
During the implementation of Rail 2000 sub-projects were brought into operation every 2 years from 1997. The biggest innovation, the commissioning of the new line, however, was not completed until 12 December 2004. Some innovations that benefitted passengers were:- Trains every half hour on some long-distance routes
- Same travel time between GenevaGenevaGeneva In the national languages of Switzerland the city is known as Genf , Ginevra and Genevra is the second-most-populous city in Switzerland and is the most populous city of Romandie, the French-speaking part of Switzerland...
and ZürichZürichZurich is the largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the canton of Zurich. It is located in central Switzerland at the northwestern tip of Lake Zurich...
via Bern and via Neuchâtel. - Reduction of the travel time between Zürich and Bern by 13 minutes.
Due to the delayed introduction of the new ETCS train control system, the new and upgraded sections of line initially had conventional signalling technology with a maximum speed of only 160 km/h. Therefore, the journey on the central section between Zürich and Bern was shortened by only about 11 minutes instead of the planned 13 minutes. Since March 2007, the entire new line operated with ETCS, allowing an increase to the maximum speed to 200 km/h since December 2007. The resulting reduction in travel time has allowed the regular interval timetable to be stable as it can now cope with some delays.
As part of Rail 2000, in order to introduce language neutrality, the former regional local trains (German: Regionalzüge) were renamed Regio (abbr. R) and the regional fast trains (German: Schnellzüge; French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
: train direct; Italian
Italian language
Italian is a Romance language spoken mainly in Europe: Italy, Switzerland, San Marino, Vatican City, by minorities in Malta, Monaco, Croatia, Slovenia, France, Libya, Eritrea, and Somalia, and by immigrant communities in the Americas and Australia...
: treno diretto) were renamed RegioExpress (Abbr. RE) or InterRegio (Abbr. IR).
Projects
Rail 2000 included the following subprojects:- Modernisation of the rolling stock
- More trains, including trains on main lines every half hour
- Better connections
- Increased capacity by extending double or four track sections to close gaps
- Separation of traffic at rail junctions and at main railway stations
- More services on both urban and regional lines
- Improvements to connections in central Zürich
- The Mattstetten–Rothrist new line and consequent reduction in travel time between Zürich and Bern from 69 to 58 minutes (56 minutes from the end of 2007).
New lines
The core of Rail 2000 was the 37 km long new line from Mattstetten to Rothrist between Bern and Olten, which was opened in December 2004. This allowed the following travel time reductions:- Olten–Bern reduced from 40 minutes to 26 minutes
- Zürich–Bern reduced from 69 minutes to 56 minutes
- Basel–Bern reduced from 67 minutes to 55 minutes
- Lucerne–Bern reduced from 81 minutes (via WolhusenWolhusenWolhusen is a municipality in the district of Sursee in the canton of Lucerne in Switzerland.-Geography:Wolhusen has an area of . Of this area, 58.1% is used for agricultural purposes, while 32.6% is forested. Of the rest of the land, 8.6% is settled and the remainder is non-productive...
and LangnauLangnau im Emmental-Sport:Langnau is the home of the SCL Tigers, who plays in the Swiss National League A. They play their home games at the Ilfis Stadium.- External links :* * *...
) to 60 minutes (via Sursee and Zofingen to the Mattstetten–Rothrist line ) - Olten–Biel/BienneJura foot railway lineThe Jura foot line or Jura south foot line , also called the Swiss railway line, runs from Olten along the foot of the southern Jura range through Solothurn, Grenchen, Biel/Bienne, Neuchâtel Yverdon-les-Bains and Morges to Geneva. It is one of two routes used by intercity trains between Geneva...
reduced from 41 minutes to 32 minutes (via NBS and upgraded Inkwil-Derendingen) - Zürich–Bern–Geneva reduced from 2 hours 56 minutes to 2 hours 43 minutes
- Zürich–Biel/Bienne-Geneva reduced from 3 hours 9 minutes to 2 hours 42 minutes
Major Projects
- Mattstetten–Rothrist new line, double line. Commissioned 2004; cost: CHF 1,679 million
- Reconstructed line between DerendingenDerendingen, SwitzerlandDerendingen is a municipality in the district of Wasseramt in the canton of Solothurn in Switzerland.-History:Derendingen is first mentioned in 1291 as in Therendingen. In 1294 it was mentioned as de Teradingen....
and InkwilInkwilInkwil is a municipality in the Oberaargau administrative district in the canton of Bern in Switzerland.-Geography:Inkwil has an area, , of . Of this area, or 49.1% is used for agricultural purposes, while or 36.0% is forested...
(connection of Mattstetten–Rothrist line to Solothurn). Commissioned 2003; cost: CHF 107 million - Zimmerberg Base TunnelZimmerberg Base TunnelZimmerberg Base Tunnel is a railway tunnel in Switzerland. It is divided into two sections: I and II. Zimmerberg I is about 10 km long and links Zurich with Thalwil.Zimmerberg Base Tunnel II work is suspended...
, Stage 1 (Zürich–ThalwilThalwilThalwil is a municipality in the district of Horgen in the canton of Zürich in Switzerland. As of 2010 its population was of 17,189.-History:...
), second double line. Commissioned 2003; cost: CHF 945 million - Adler Tunnel (MuttenzMuttenzMuttenz is a municipality with a population of approximately 17,000 in the canton of Basel-Country in Switzerland. It is located in the district of Arlesheim and next to the city of Basle.-History:...
-LiestalLiestalLiestal is the capital of the canton of Basel-Country in Switzerland, south of Basel.It is an industrial town with a cobbled-street Old Town.-History:...
on Hauenstein line), double line. Commissioned 2000; cost: CHF 387 million - Vauderens Tunnel (Vauderens–SiviriezSiviriezSiviriez is a municipality in the district of Glâne in the canton of Fribourg in Switzerland.-Geography:Siviriez has an area, , of . Of this area, or 74.5% is used for agricultural purposes, while or 17.2% is forested...
on Olten–Lausanne line), double line. Commissioned 2001; cost: CHF 71 million - Deviation and duplication between OnnensOnnensOnnens is a municipality in the district of Jura-Nord Vaudois in the canton of Vaud in Switzerland.-Geography:Onnens has an area, , of . Of this area, or 41.7% is used for agricultural purposes, while or 49.3% is forested...
–BonvillarsBonvillarsBonvillars is a municipality in the district of Jura-Nord Vaudois in the canton of Vaud in Switzerland.-Geography:Bonvillars has an area, , of . Of this area, or 48.5% is used for agricultural purposes, while or 43.6% is forested...
and GorgierGorgierGorgier is a municipality in the district of Boudry in the canton of Neuchâtel in Switzerland.-Geography:Gorgier has an area, , of . Of this area, or 33.3% is used for agricultural purposes, while or 56.2% is forested...
-St AubinSaint-Aubin-SaugesSaint-Aubin-Sauges is a municipality in the district of Boudry in the canton of Neuchâtel in Switzerland.-History:Saint-Aubin-Sauges is first mentioned in 1176 as Sancti Albini. In 1340 it was mentioned as villa de Sauges.-Geography:...
on Jura foot lineJura foot railway lineThe Jura foot line or Jura south foot line , also called the Swiss railway line, runs from Olten along the foot of the southern Jura range through Solothurn, Grenchen, Biel/Bienne, Neuchâtel Yverdon-les-Bains and Morges to Geneva. It is one of two routes used by intercity trains between Geneva...
. Commissioned 2001; cost: CHF 363 million - Third track between CoppetCoppetCoppet is a municipality in the district of Nyon in the canton of Vaud in Switzerland.-History:Coppet is first mentioned in 1294 as Copetum. In 1347 it was mentioned as Copet.-Geography:...
and Geneva on Geneva–Lausanne lineJura foot railway lineThe Jura foot line or Jura south foot line , also called the Swiss railway line, runs from Olten along the foot of the southern Jura range through Solothurn, Grenchen, Biel/Bienne, Neuchâtel Yverdon-les-Bains and Morges to Geneva. It is one of two routes used by intercity trains between Geneva...
. Commissioned 2004; cost: CHF 285 million - Expansion of the Zürich station node (Total cost: CHF 544 million)
- Platforms 3-9 extended to 420 meters
- Sihlpost station extension (platforms 51-54), 320 metre long platforms
- Station interlockingInterlockingIn railway signalling, an interlocking is an arrangement of signal apparatus that prevents conflicting movements through an arrangement of tracks such as junctions or crossings. The signalling appliances and tracks are sometimes collectively referred to as an interlocking plant...
- Kohlendreieck substationElectrical substationA substation is a part of an electrical generation, transmission, and distribution system. Substations transform voltage from high to low, or the reverse, or perform any of several other important functions...
- Herdern maintenance facility and car shed
- Kohlendreieck grade separation
- New bridge between station and WipkingenWipkingenWipkingen is a quarter in the district 10 in Zurich.It was formerly a municipality of its own, having been incorporated into Zurich in 1893.The quarter has a population of 15,446 distributed on an area of 2.11 km².- Transportation :...
line - Track work between station and AltstettenZürich AltstettenZürich Altstetten is a railway station in the Altstetten quarter of the Swiss city of Zürich. The station is located on the Zurich to Olten main line and is served by lines S3, S9, S12 and S15 of the Zürich S-Bahn....
- Four tracks between station and WiedikonWiedikonWiedikon is a district in the Swiss city of Zurich. It is District number 3.The district comprises the quarters Alt-Wiedikon, Sihlfeld and Friesenberg.Wiedikon was formerly a municipality of its own, having been incorporated into Zurich in 1893....
/Zimmerberg Base Tunnel (separation of Zürich S-BahnZürich S-BahnThe Zurich S-Bahn system is a network of rapid transit rail lines that has been incrementally expanded to cover the ZVV area, which comprises the entire canton of Zurich and portions of neighboring cantons The Zurich S-Bahn system is a network of rapid transit rail lines that has been...
and long distance trains) - Löwenstrasse underground station extension (platforms 31-34)
Other projects
Other projects included:- New connection at AarburgAarburgAarburg is a municipality in the district of Zofingen in the canton of Aargau in Switzerland.The small town lies in the southwest Aargau at an Engnis Aare in the lower Wiggertal. It lies in the intersection of the most important traffic routes of Switzerland...
between lines to Bern (RothristRothristRothrist is a municipality in the district of Zofingen in the canton of Aargau in Switzerland.-History:Originally an Alamanni settlement, the modern village of Rothrist is first mentioned in 1263 as Routris. The Herschaft rights were held by the Counts of Frohburg until 1299, when they...
) and Lucerne (ZofingenZofingenZofingen is a city in the canton of Aargau in Switzerland. It is the capital of the district of Zofingen. Zofingen is a walled city and home of an ancient monastic settlement.-Geography:...
) - Capacity expansion between Wankdorf, OstermundigenOstermundigenOstermundigen is a municipality in the Bern-Mittelland administrative district in the canton of Bern in Switzerland.The city is the birthplace of screen legend, Ursula Andress.-Geography:...
and Gümligen, near Bern, third track - Platform expansion at Basel stationBasel SBB railway stationBasel SBB is the central railway station in the city of Basel in Switzerland. Trains run by the Swiss Federal Railways to destinations within Switzerland use this station, as well as Deutsche Bahn Intercity-Express trains to Germany as well as Zürich and Interlaken...
- Capacity expansion between Basel and MuttenzMuttenzMuttenz is a municipality with a population of approximately 17,000 in the canton of Basel-Country in Switzerland. It is located in the district of Arlesheim and next to the city of Basle.-History:...
, third track - Olten stationOlten railway stationOlten station is a major hub railway station in the canton of Solothurn, Switzerland, at the junction of lines to Zürich, Bern, Basel, Lucerne and Biel...
expansion - Capacity expansion between Olten, Olten East and DullikenDullikenDulliken is a municipality in the district of Olten in the canton of Solothurn in Switzerland.-History:Dulliken is first mentioned in 924 as Tullinchova. In 1173 it was mentioned as Tullichon.-Geography:...
, third or fourth track - Expansion of AarauAarauAarau is the capital of the northern Swiss canton of Aargau. The city is also the capital of the district of Aarau. It is German-speaking and predominantly Protestant. Aarau is situated on the Swiss plateau, in the valley of the Aar, on the river's right bank, and at the southern foot of the Jura...
station - Duplication of Aarau City Tunnel to add third and fourth track
- Third and fourth track added from Aarau to RupperswilRupperswilRupperswil is a municipality in the district of Lenzburg in the canton of Aargau in Switzerland.-History:A partially preserved Roman era tile kiln from the 2nd Century was discovered in 1911. There is also evidence of the emergence of a late-Alamanni village in the 8th Century. The modern village...
, - Expansion of ZugZugZug , is a German-speaking city in Switzerland. The name ‘Zug’ originates from fishing vocabulary; in the Middle Ages it referred to the right to ‘pull up’ fishing nets and hence to the right to fish.The city of Zug is located in the Canton of Zug and is its capital...
station - Duplication between Zug and ChamCham, SwitzerlandCham is a municipality in the canton of Zug in Switzerland.-Location:Cham has an area, , of . Of this area, 63.3% is used for agricultural purposes, while 13.2% is forested...
- Duplication between Rotkreuz and RotseeRotseeThe Rotsee is a natural rowing lake on the northern edge of Lucerne, Switzerland. It is 2,400 m long with virtually no current and protected from winds by nearby hills making it an ideal rowing venue....
- Additional tracks between DietikonDietikonDietikon is the fifth biggest city of the canton of Zürich in Switzerland, after Zürich, Winterthur, Uster and Dübendorf. It is the capital of the same-named district of Dietikon and part of the Zürich metropolitan area.- Geography :...
and KillwangenKillwangenKillwangen is a municipality in the district of Baden in the canton of Aargau in Switzerland.-History:The town was first known as Chullewangen as early as 1227. The name is alemannish in origin. For nearly 600 years, Killwangen was dependent on the monastery in nearby Wettingen. In 1798, Napoleon's...
–SpreitenbachSpreitenbachSpreitenbach is a municipality in the district of Baden in the canton of Aargau in Switzerland, located in the Limmat Valley .It lies southeast of the district center directly on the border with the canton of Zurich.... - Third track south of WinterthurWinterthurWinterthur is a city in the canton of Zurich in northern Switzerland. It has the country's sixth largest population with an estimate of more than 100,000 people. In the local dialect and by its inhabitants, it is usually abbreviated to Winti...
, - Duplication between GoldachGoldachGoldach is a municipality in the Wahlkreis of Rorschach in the canton of St. Gallen in Switzerland.-History:Goldach is first mentioned in 789 as Goldaha, though this comes from a later copy of the original document. In 847 it was mentioned as Coldaun.-Geography:Goldach has an area, , of...
and MörschwilMörschwilMörschwil is a municipality in the Wahlkreis of Rorschach in the canton of St. Gallen in Switzerland.-History:Mörschwil is first mentioned in 811 as Maurini vilare. In 1389 it was mentioned as Mörswile.-Geography:... - Expansion of LandquartIgisIgis is a municipality in the district of Landquart in the Swiss canton of Graubünden. Far more known than its proper name Igis is its hamlet Landquart, for its Rail Station and motorway exit.-History:...
station - Duplication between Bad RagazBad RagazBad Ragaz is a municipality in the Wahlkreis of Sarganserland in the canton of St. Gallen in Switzerland.It is the home of a famous natural spring and is a popular spa and health resort destination. Bad Ragaz is also surprisingly known as one of the best pizza towns in all of Europe...
and Landquart
AlpTransit
In parallel with the Rail 2000 projects, the AlpTransitAlpTransit
AlpTransit, also known as New Railway Link through the Alps NRLA , is a Swiss federal project aimed to build faster north-south rail links across the Swiss Alps by constructing base tunnels several hundred metres below the level of the current tunnels...
project is upgrading the two major railway lines through the Swiss Alps
Swiss Alps
The Swiss Alps are the portion of the Alps mountain range that lies within Switzerland. Because of their central position within the entire Alpine range, they are also known as the Central Alps....
: the Gotthard railway
Gotthardbahn
Gotthardbahn was the name of a private Swiss railway company which operated the railway line from Immensee to Chiasso . Nowadays this term usually does not refer to that company, but to the railway line itself...
(including the new Gotthard Base Tunnel
Gotthard Base Tunnel
The Gotthard Base Tunnel is a new railway tunnel beneath the Swiss Alps, expected to open in 2016. With a route length of and a total of of tunnels, shafts and passages, it is the world's longest rail tunnel, surpassing the Japanese Seikan Tunnel....
and the Ceneri Base Tunnel
Ceneri Base Tunnel
The Ceneri Base Tunnel is a railway tunnel under construction in Switzerland's Canton Ticino. It will pass under Monte Ceneri between Camorino in the Magadino Flat and Vezia near Lugano...
) and Lötschberg line (including the new Lötschberg Base Tunnel
Lötschberg Base Tunnel
The Lötschberg Base Tunnel is a railway tunnel on the BLS Lötschbergbahn's Lötschberg Line cutting through the Alps of Switzerland some below the existing Lötschberg Tunnel. It is currently the world's longest land tunnel and accommodates passenger and freight trains. It runs between Frutigen,...
). The upgrade of Gotthard will shorten the journey between German-speaking Switzerland and Ticino
Ticino
Canton Ticino or Ticino is the southernmost canton of Switzerland. Named after the Ticino river, it is the only canton in which Italian is the sole official language...
by an hour. The Lötschberg base tunnel was opened in 2007, making a trip from Zürich to the canton of Valais in less than two hours possible; it has shortened the journey between Bern and Brig
Brig
A brig is a sailing vessel with two square-rigged masts. During the Age of Sail, brigs were seen as fast and manoeuvrable and were used as both naval warships and merchant vessels. They were especially popular in the 18th and early 19th centuries...
and Italy by about a quarter of an hour.
Rail 2000, Stage 2 / Future development of rail infrastructure
The Federal Office of Transport (FOT) is currently reviewing the differing needs of the cantons and railways for a 2nd stage of Rail 2000. This, is being considered together with the federal government's overall review of funding for ongoing public transport projects, including the AlpTransit, high-speed connections to France and Germany and the Geneva cross-city lineCEVA rail
CEVA is the name given to a project to connect the main Swiss railway line into Geneva from the rest of Switzerland to the at present isolated link out of Geneva Eaux Vives station to Annemasse Haute-Savoie,...
. The 2nd Stage of Rail 2000 is also called "Future development of rail projects" (German: Zukünftige Entwicklung der Bahnprojekte, ZEB). It is envisaged that this stage would be completed by 2030.
The Swiss Federal Railways outlined its ideas for the 2nd Stage in a press conference in April 2006 with the FOT. In principle, it preferred smaller extensions rather large tunnel projects. It emphasised the acceleration of the east-west link and the inclusion of Lausanne, Biel, Interlaken
Interlaken
Interlaken is a municipality in the Interlaken-Oberhasli administrative district in the Canton of Bern in Switzerland, a well-known tourist destination in the Bernese Oberland.-History:...
and St. Gallen
St. Gallen
St. Gallen is the capital of the canton of St. Gallen in Switzerland. It evolved from the hermitage of Saint Gall, founded in the 7th century. Today, it is a large urban agglomeration and represents the center of eastern Switzerland. The town mainly relies on the service sector for its economic...
as nodes for the regular interval timetable in addition to Zürich and Bern. The following extensions are planned:
- CHF 1.7 billion for new track of the Zürich–Olten line
- CHF 1,000 million for Chestenberg new line between RupperswilRupperswilRupperswil is a municipality in the district of Lenzburg in the canton of Aargau in Switzerland.-History:A partially preserved Roman era tile kiln from the 2nd Century was discovered in 1911. There is also evidence of the emergence of a late-Alamanni village in the 8th Century. The modern village...
and Heitersberg tunnel - CHF 400 million for EppenbergEppenberg-WöschnauEppenberg-Wöschnau is a municipality in the district of Olten in the canton of Solothurn in Switzerland.-History:Eppenberg is first mentioned in 1294 as in Eppenberg. At the same time, Wöschnau was mentioned as in Weschnowe.-Geography:...
new line between AarauAarauAarau is the capital of the northern Swiss canton of Aargau. The city is also the capital of the district of Aarau. It is German-speaking and predominantly Protestant. Aarau is situated on the Swiss plateau, in the valley of the Aar, on the river's right bank, and at the southern foot of the Jura...
and Daeniken - CHF 300 million for new track near Olten
- CHF 1,000 million for Chestenberg new line between Rupperswil
- CHF 665 million for increasing capacity between Zürich and WinterthurWinterthurWinterthur is a city in the canton of Zurich in northern Switzerland. It has the country's sixth largest population with an estimate of more than 100,000 people. In the local dialect and by its inhabitants, it is usually abbreviated to Winti...
- CHF 260 million for higher speeds between Winterthur and St. Gallen and ConstanceConstanceConstance is a female given name that derives from Latin and means "constant." Variations of the name include Connie, Constancia, Constanze, Constanza, Stanzy, and Konstanze.Constance may refer to:-People:*Constance Bennett , American actress...
- CHF 350 million for new track near Bern
- CHF 210 million for new track in Bern
- CHF 140 million for partial duplication between SpiezSpiezSpiez is a city in the Frutigen-Niedersimmental administrative district in the canton of Bern in Switzerland.-Geography:Spiez has an area of . Of this area, 38.5% is used for agricultural purposes, while 29.1% is forested...
and Interlaken
- CHF 140 million for grade separation in LiestalLiestalLiestal is the capital of the canton of Basel-Country in Switzerland, south of Basel.It is an industrial town with a cobbled-street Old Town.-History:...
on the Hauenstein line - CHF 320 million for increasing capacity in Lausanne
- CHF 225 million for higher speeds between FribourgFribourgFribourg is the capital of the Swiss canton of Fribourg and the district of Sarine. It is located on both sides of the river Saane/Sarine, on the Swiss plateau, and is an important economic, administrative and educational center on the cultural border between German and French Switzerland...
and Lausanne on the Olten–Lausanne line - CHF 110 million for increasing speeds from 160km/h to 200km/h in the Valais on the Simplon line, including the installation of ETCS
- CHF 325 million for new track in various projects in Central Switzerland
- CHF 365 million for new track in Ticino
Under Stage 2, travel time from Zürich to both St. Gallen and Biel would be reduced to less than an hour, as would travel time from Bern to Lausanne. These projects, according to SFR would cost approximately CHF 1.5 billion. Extension options are being considered.
SFR favoured not building several projects that were originally proposed for the first phase of Rail 2000 but were deferred when it was cut back:
- The third JuraJura mountainsThe Jura Mountains are a small mountain range located north of the Alps, separating the Rhine and Rhone rivers and forming part of the watershed of each...
tunnel between Basel and Olten (only the Adler tunnel between Muttenz and Liestal has been completed) - The proposed new line between Zürich Airport and Winterthur through the BrüttenBrüttenBrütten is a municipality in the district of Winterthur, in the Canton of Zürich, Switzerland.-Geography:Brütten has an area of . Of this area, 58.9% is used for agricultural purposes, while 30.1% is forested. The rest of the land, is settled. housing and buildings made up 6.1% of the total...
tunnel - The second stage of the Zimmerberg Base TunnelZimmerberg Base TunnelZimmerberg Base Tunnel is a railway tunnel in Switzerland. It is divided into two sections: I and II. Zimmerberg I is about 10 km long and links Zurich with Thalwil.Zimmerberg Base Tunnel II work is suspended...
connecting Litti (near BaarBaar, SwitzerlandBaar is a village in the canton of Zug in Switzerland.-Geography:Baar has an area, , of . Of this area, 55% is used for agricultural purposes, while 24.5% is forested...
) on the approach line to the Gotthard railway with Zürich and the proposed single-line HirzelHirzelHirzel is a municipality in the district of Horgen in the canton of Zürich in Switzerland.-Geography:Hirzel has an area of . Of this area, 68.9% is used for agricultural purposes, while 18.5% is forested. Of the rest of the land, 9.3% is settled and the remainder is non-productive...
tunnel connecting Litti with AuAu, ZurichAu is a village in the municipality Wädenswil in the district of Horgen in the canton of Zurich in Switzerland.First mentioned in the year 1130 as «Naglikon» and 1316 as «Owe», Au belongs politically to the urban area of the south-eastern city of Wädenswil on Lake Zurich.- Transport :Au ZH railway...
or WädenswilWädenswil-References:... - A tunnel parallel to the Heitersberg Tunnel to provide a third and fourth track
- Conversion of Lucerne stationLucerne railway stationLucerne railway station is a major hub of the Swiss rail network. It is a terminal station serving domestic and international traffic on several rail lines...
into a through station by building a subterranean station and a connecting tunnel to the Zürich–Lucerne line at EbikonEbikonEbikon is a municipality in the district of Lucerne in the canton of Lucerne in Switzerland.-Geography:Ebikon has an area of . Of this area, 38.4% is used for agricultural purposes, while 23.9% is forested. Of the rest of the land, 30.3% is settled and the remainder is non-productive...
According to SFR, BLS
BLS AG
BLS AG is a Swiss railway company created by the 2006 merger of BLS Lötschbergbahn and Regionalverkehr Mittelland AG. It is 55.8 % owned by the Canton of Berne, and 21.7 % by the Swiss Confederation. It has two main business fields: passenger traffic and infrastructure.BLS has a subsidiary BLS...
has also defined its wishes. It envisages:
- Completion of outstanding work on the Lötschberg Base TunnelLötschberg Base TunnelThe Lötschberg Base Tunnel is a railway tunnel on the BLS Lötschbergbahn's Lötschberg Line cutting through the Alps of Switzerland some below the existing Lötschberg Tunnel. It is currently the world's longest land tunnel and accommodates passenger and freight trains. It runs between Frutigen,...
(completion of the second track and the Steg branch) - Duplication of the Bern–Neuchâtel line