Racing through the Tunnel Langes Feld at 250 km/h. That’s the speed some trains reach in this impressive tunnel.
The Tunnel Langes Feld is a vital part of the high-speed rail line Mannheim-Stuttgart. It opened in 1991. The tunnel’s name comes from the area it runs under. The Langes Feld is a landscape near Stuttgart. The entire tunnel system is actually quite extensive. Its total length across all tubes is 5494 meters. A significant portion is single-track.
Construction began in July 1984. It wasn’t a simple project. The tunnel runs under the Autobahn 81 and the Kornwestheim marshalling yard. Imagine the logistical challenge of building a tunnel under a busy railway yard. Workers had to keep 32 of the 60 tracks operational. They built numerous temporary bridges for the workers. They also had to consider the various tracks including the freight line to Untertürkheim. The four-track Stuttgart-Bretten line was another factor.
The tunnel boasts various cross-sections. The two-track section is 12.3 meters wide. It’s about 6.5 to 6.9 meters high above the tracks. The tunnel splits near the Kornwestheim marshalling yard. It then continues as two single-track tunnels. These tunnels have their own unique shapes and sizes. One tunnel stretches an impressive 4632 meters from portal to portal.
Tunnel Langes Feld played a key role in transportation. Initial plans in 1982 included a branch line. This would have linked to the Kornwestheim marshalling yard. It was intended to speed up freight transport. The planned branch line was never built. However its planned path is still visible.
The Tunnel Langes Feld has emergency exits. This is crucial for safety. One exit is in the middle of the Langes Feld. Another leads to the Stuttgart marshalling yard. There is also an exit near the point where the tunnel transitions back to a dual-track design. Safety measures were and continue to be of utmost importance for the Tunnel Langes Feld.
The tunnel’s construction was complex. It was divided into eight sections. Six were built using open-cut methods. The section under the Langes Feld required excavating a massive 60-meter-wide trench. This required specialized equipment. The process of building the Tunnel Langes Feld wasn’t without its complications. The tunnel was ultimately completed in 1991.
Today the Tunnel Langes Feld remains an essential artery of the German railway network. The high speeds and efficient design are critical for the smooth flow of rail traffic. The story of the Tunnel Langes Feld is a testament to engineering prowess. It reflects the careful planning that went into its construction. It also shows the importance of safety considerations in such large-scale projects.