Slab track construction in the tunnels of Guadarrama
Spain, through its rail infrastructures entity ADIF, has been investing in new rail lines that are gradually forming the second longest high speed rail network in the world. A key part of this network is the new Madrid – Valladolid line, which will connect later on in the north to France, and therefore, Europe’s high speed rail network. Construction of this line included the Tunnels of Guadarrama, which represented at the time one of the most challenging railway projects worldwide (it is currently the fifth longest railway tunnel in the world). To construct the Tunnels of Guadarrama’s 28.4 km length with no intermediate access points, extremely accurate logistics planning was undertaken in order to achieve the high efficiency required to finish the project in time. Slab track structure was chosen for the tunnel section since it enables improved operating conditions, easier emergency evacuation and reduced maintenance, thus reducing cost and track occupancy. Nevertheless, as slab track needs precise construction the latest track technologies were used. This paper concerns the construction of the tunnels, from the design of the track configuration to each activity undertaken during the construction stage.
- Record URL:
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Authors:
- Subiros C
- Conference:
- Publication Date: 2009
Media Info
- Pagination: 6p.
- Monograph Title: AusRAIL PLUS 2009, doing more with less, 17-19 November 2009, Adelaide, South Australia
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: High speed vehicles; Railroad transportation; Transportation operations; Tunnels
- ATRI Terms: High speed; Rail transport; Transport network; Tunnel
- Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Railroads;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 01516994
- Record Type: Publication
- Source Agency: ARRB
- Files: ATRI
- Created Date: Mar 4 2014 8:02PM