Start of Gotthard Railway Construction

In the late 19th century, Europe was knitting together its rail systems to foster trade and unity, but the Alps posed a formidable barrier. On February 21, 1883, work commenced on the Gotthard Railway, a visionary project led by Swiss engineer Louis Favre and supported by international financiers like the German and Italian governments. This involved drilling through 15 kilometers of solid rock using primitive dynamite and compressed air drills, facing deadly risks from cave-ins and poor ventilation that claimed many lives. Key figures included Favre, who tragically died on site, and Alfred Escher, a driving force behind Swiss rail development. The railway's significance was in creating a direct north-south link, revolutionizing trade by slashing travel times between Germany and Italy. For railroad buffs, it's captivating that the line featured the first major use of the Fell system for steep gradients and became a template for alpine tunnels like the Simplon. Its lasting impact includes boosting European economic integration and inspiring modern high-speed rail, with the Gotthard base tunnel opened in 2016 as its legacy.