In the single-track, 15.4 km long Ceneri Base Tunnel, high speed tests have been running since April 20. On May 1, at 03.30 am DB's ICE-S test train reached the speed of 275 km/h.

Overhead conductor rail for 250 km/h now also proven in single track tunnel

Since the construction of the pilot plant in Zurich-Opfikon in 1984, Furrer+Frey has continuously developed its overhead conductor rail system. In 1996, 140 km/h and in 2003 160 km/h were achieved. The leap into the high-speed range was achieved in 2008 with 250 km/h in the double-track Sittenberg tunnel in Austria. In 2016 it was also possible to prove that two pantographs could be installed only 31 m apart at this speed. In 2017, the ICE-S succeeded in a journey at 302 km/h – a world record for an overhead conductor rail.

With the successful tests in the single-track Ceneri base tunnel, Furrer+Frey is now the first company to have a conductor rail system that allows speeds of 250 km/h and more in both double-track and single-track tunnels.

Participating companies:

Allocation design and material supply: Furrer+Frey® overhead conductor rail system   www.furrerfrey.ch

Installation: European Trans Energy GmbH  www.europten.com