On 16.12.2013 Swiss federal councillor Doris Leuthard officially opened the pilot rail operation in the west tube of the Gotthard base tunnel. For the first time, a train travelled over the approximately 13 km-long pilot section from Bodio to Faido at a speed of 160 km/h. Pilot operation will provide important information in preparation for opening the tunnel to scheduled train services in December, 2016. Click at/44, ch/17, ch/19, ch/20, ch/21, ch/22, ch/52 for tunnelbuilder archive. Visit http://www.alptransit.ch. 51/13.