I trust by now TRAINS subscribers have glanced at the article regarding Semmering Pass.
This pass is on the route between Vienna, Graz, and several Italian destinations such as Trieste. All told, it is not at a loss for traffic.
I first learned of this pass about 1960 when both the Rio Grande and Southern Pacific ordered Diesel-Hydraulic locomotives built by a German concern, and were tested over Semmering. TRAINS had a write up at that time.
The results on US railroads were "mixed". Rio Grande wanted nothing more and sold their units to SP. SP further ordered a fleet from Alco licensing the trchnology.
But otherwise, Austria OBB is now boring a 20 some mile tunnel to relegate the pass to local and excursion services. Expected service date about 2025.
Unlike over here, it is a reasonable assumption it will be "on time, on budget".
Considering how there has probably been more spent "higgling and piggling" over the two Corridor tunnels needed, all I can say is "they build, we bicker".
Here is YouTube video of a ride over the Pass:
https://youtu.be/3k--q_m9RY8" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
This pass is on the route between Vienna, Graz, and several Italian destinations such as Trieste. All told, it is not at a loss for traffic.
I first learned of this pass about 1960 when both the Rio Grande and Southern Pacific ordered Diesel-Hydraulic locomotives built by a German concern, and were tested over Semmering. TRAINS had a write up at that time.
The results on US railroads were "mixed". Rio Grande wanted nothing more and sold their units to SP. SP further ordered a fleet from Alco licensing the trchnology.
But otherwise, Austria OBB is now boring a 20 some mile tunnel to relegate the pass to local and excursion services. Expected service date about 2025.
Unlike over here, it is a reasonable assumption it will be "on time, on budget".
Considering how there has probably been more spent "higgling and piggling" over the two Corridor tunnels needed, all I can say is "they build, we bicker".
Here is YouTube video of a ride over the Pass:
https://youtu.be/3k--q_m9RY8" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;