The Old Gotthard Tunnel Route - Driver's Eye View

This documentary presents the story of the original Gotthard railway tunnel, which was a massive project that took ten years to complete and resulted in the loss of 147 lives. The construction required significant engineering feats, including long ramps totaling 85 miles, numerous tunnels, viaducts, and bridges.

The film details the steep ruling gradient of 1 in 37, which posed a challenge for the steam locomotives of that era. To tackle this, trains were often double-headed and even employed banking engines to assist. It highlights the necessity for spiral tunnels carved from solid rock to manage the severe incline, showcasing the ingenuity of the engineers involved in this landmark endeavor.