For years there have been plans for electrification of this part of the line between Montzen-Gare and Reinartzkehl. To realize this effort first the bridges and viaducts had to be prepared to carry the pylons and at Nouvelaer a complete new viaduct had to be built. Now all conditions are met, at the beginning of July 2008 the electrification will be a fact. From then on it will be possible to transport the shuttles from Antwerp to Cologne directly without the cumbersome shunter movements at Montzen-Gare and Aachen-West. It will deliver enormous timesaving and both shunting yards will loose their importance and size!
An other obstacle is the old tunnel at Botzelaer. It is not possible to dig it deeper because of the way it is built. The tunnel originates from 1872 and originally belonged to the Line 39 Aachen-Plombières.
( July 28, 2005 )
A close-up of the tunnelporch in April 2008. Until here the german net is led through the tunnel.
( April 27, 2008 )
Heavy weights keep the tension on thewire . A transformer house is under construction.
( April 27, 2008 )
The new overhead wires will take away our free view on the tunnel in future.
( April 27, 2008 )
In the past weekends the traffic was diverted via the Buschtunnel, so at this place one could work undisturbed. On monday afternoons the traffic through the tunnel would be normalized.
( April 27, 2008 )
The solution for the suspension of the wires inside the tunnel was found by using this spring mounted rail-construction at the ceiling of the tunnel.
( April 27, 2008 )v
View inside the tunnel where a crew is still working. Until now it was presumed that it would only be possible to hang only one wire above the middle track, and that the tunnel would still remain a bottleneck.
( April 27, 2008 )
Update June 2008
The substation is growing slow, but steady. Wikipedia.
( 24 june 2008 )
Update 10 Aug 2008
The substation is growing slow, but steady.
( 10 Aug 2008 )
The new pylons already have crossbars.
( 10 Aug 2008 )
Update 30 Nov 2008
The substation is almost complete, at this moment the doors still had to be placed.
( 12 Okt 2008 )
At Botzelaer is the seperation between the belgian and german traffic oversight.
( April 27, 2008 )
Momentarily at Gemmenich-Oost holes are being digged for the foundations of the pylons. Here a mould is placed, which will be casted in concrete. After the concrete is hardened, the mould is taken out, leaving a hole for placing the pylon.
( April 27, 2008 )
Further on in the direction of Nouvelaer only holes.
( April 27, 2008 )
Update 27 July 2008
View in direction Botzelaer tunnel, on the right pylons have been placed recently.
( 27 July 2008 )
The worktrain of the Duchene Company from Modave (Near Huy) placing pylons.
( 27 July 2008 )
The train is pulled by the NMBS 7351 with the nickname "ECHO", stationed in Visé.
( 27 July 2008 )
The crane in action with a pylon.
( 27 July 2008 )
In the mean time traffic on the other track as usual. Here a pair of NMBS serie 55ers with a long freight train heading for Montzen.
( 27 July 2008 )
Train composition :
Water Tankcar : 910 0 113-4
Maintainance car 1 : (-)
Concrete mixer car : (-)
Gravel car 1 : 930 0 165-3
Gravel car 2 : 930 0 163-8
Gravel car 3 : 930 0 166-1
Maintainance car 2 : 910 0 103-5
Rebar car 1 : (-)
Crane car : 930 0 161-4 (Crane : Palfinger PKR 480)
Rebar car 2 : (-)( 27 July 2008 )
The old viaduct at Nouvelaer is not high enough to have room for the overhead wires.
( Aug 25, 2007 )
Therefor a new viaduct is being built since autumn 2007.
( April 27, 2008 )
Detail of the new viaduct.
( April 27, 2008 )
Update 27 July 2008
The two viaducts next to each other.
( 27 July 2008 )
One side of the new viaduct was coated with natural stone. The other side has to be done yet.
( 27 July 2008 )
Update 10 Aug 2008
View in direction Botzelaer.
( 10 Aug 2008 )
From the viaduct in direction Aix. The pylons here still have no crossbars. The work is now mainly done during night time !
( 10 Aug 2008 )
Update 30 Nov 2008
The new viaduct is ready, the old one has been removed already !
( 12 Okt 2008 )
This is the new view from the viaduct in direction Botzelaar ! The overhead wiring now completed from Montzen to Reinartzkehl !
( 12 Okt 2008 )
Recommended link to the site of
:
Reinhard Gessen
H.J.Vos
2002/2008
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