DB announced commencement of work on 89 km line with 9 tunnels totalling 25.6 km. Seven longest will be Goggelsbusch 2.3 km; Offenbau 1.33 km; Euerwang 7.7 km; Irlahull 7.26 km; Stammhan 1.32 km; Geisberg 3.3 km; and Audi 1.14 km, the latter to be driven by Walter Bau/Dywidag. The major contracts, value DM1.4 bn, were awarded in sections north, central and south to Bilfinger & Berger/Bogl, Hochtief, and Bergerbau/August Reiners Bau. Nov 1998. 80 km route length with 25 km in nine tunnels of which 22.5 km is NATM with sections ranging from 110m2 to 148 m2 and 3.14 km cut-and-cover 148-175 m2. Noteworthy are Goggelsbuch (2.29 km), Euerwang (7.7 km), Irlahull (7.26 km) and Geisberg (3.3 km). All drives under way with the longest two for completion 2001. March 1999. Bilfinger & Berger has commenced construction of the 2.3 km-long Goggelsbuch tunnel near Nuremberg. October 1999.   Meyco reports Hochtief has purchased ten of its Spraymobiles for Irlahuell and Euerwang tunnels where Meyco SA160 alkali-free accelerator is also in use. Tamrock also reports its Paramatic 205-90 two-boom jumbos are performing well here. Bilfinger & Berger has three Meyco Spraymobiles at Goggelsbusch. Product information at www.mbt.com and www.tamrock.com January 2000.   Walter Bau/Dywidag jv reports starting construction of the 1.1 km-long Audi tunnel, the final underground link on this line, at a contract value of $40 million. January 2000.   Clayton reports that it is supplying 2 x 25 t battery locomotives and associated equipment to Dyckerhoff & Widmann who are heading the consortium building a 1 km-long tunnel near Ingolstadt. More information from claton@dial.pipex.com February 2000.Contractors report Audi tunnel, which commenced 18 months ago and is the last on the line, is about to enter its most difficult phase where it will pass through water-bearing karsts at 14 m depth using compressed air. Visit www.dywidag.de July 2000.