ETF LUXEMBOURG TAKES ACTION ON MINING RAILWAYS
During the industrial revolution of the 1900s, Luxembourg’s history was marked by the development of the mining industry. Now closed, the mines are part of Luxembourg’s heritage and can be visited. From outdoor factories to underground mines, visitors travel back in time aboard vintage trains to immerse themselves in the often difficult daily life of miners.
ETF Luxembourg has been working alongside museums for nearly five years to maintain and preserve the tracks of these historic circuits. In 2021/2022, ETF will be working on the tracks of four tourist circuits on which steam and diesel locomotives run all year round. To carry out these projects, ETF Luxembourg can count on its branch dedicated to industrial tracks.
Rumelange Mine
ETF teams worked for two weeks to replace 150 sleepers and a track apparatus floor, including traditional wood notching. This track, which is part of the National Mining Museum, includes an outdoor section as well as an underground section in the heart of the mines with a gauge of 0.70 m.
Train 1900
ETF teams replaced 350 sleepers across the entire network to consolidate the track, readjust the layout at curves and carry out around twenty aluminothermic welds. Not to mention the renewal of track no. 2 at the Fusbësch stop, which will once again allow tourists to be welcomed and disembark thanks to the earthworks and the replacement of 230 metres of track.
Lasauvage Mine
ETF teams will be working for two weeks in April 2022 to replace 350 sleepers and lay 40 metres of track with a gauge of 0.70 m.
Slate Mine
ETF teams carried out extensive track assessment and maintenance work. Nearly 10 operational staff were mobilised for six weeks to remove 528 metres of track and seven sets of points, carry out earthworks and lay the sub-base, lay 860 metres of track on metal sleepers, and repair and install 10 sets of points.
During this operation, ETF Luxembourg also built a 10-metre level crossing. The track gauge is 0.70 m, with the smallest radius being 8 m.
