page_title: Spiral (railway)
section_title: Switzerland
hierarchical_section_title: Spiral (railway) / List of spirals / Switzerland
caption_attribution_description: Streckenverlauf der Albulabahn von Preda nach Bergün.
context_page_description: A spiral is a technique employed by railways to ascend steep hills.
  A railway spiral rises on a steady curve until it has completed a loop, passing over itself as it gains height, allowing the railway to gain vertical elevation in a relatively short horizontal distance. It is an alternative to a zig-zag, and avoids the need for the trains to stop and reverse direction while ascending. If the train is longer than the length of each loop it may be possible to view it looping above itself.
  The term "loop" is also often used for a railway that curves sharply and goes back on itself: if the railway crosses itself, then it forms a spiral or helix; otherwise, it forms the much more common horseshoe curve or bend.
context_section_description: The Gotthard railway has spirals and  horseshoe curves or bends mostly in tunnels on its standard gauge, double track line. The spirals are:
  North of Wassen at Pfaffensprung on the Northern approach at 46°43′19″N 8°36′34″E, this loop is followed by two horseshoe bends around Wassen.
  Piottino spirals on the Southern approach at 46°29′41″N 8°44′13″E and at 46°29′11″N 8°46′08″E.
  Biaschina double spiral near Anzonico at 46°25′25″N 8°51′43″E.
  RhB Albulabahn has four spirals, mainly in tunnels, on its metre gauge single track. The spirals are at:
  Filisur at 46°40′31″N 9°41′07″E.
  South of Bergün at 46°36′11″N 9°43′03″E.
  Double spiral North of Preda at 46°35′47″N 9°44′33″E.
  It could also be argued that the horseshoe curves immediately South of Bergün at 46°37′17″N 9°45′09″E also form a spiral as it appears that one curve overlaps the other.
  Brusio spiral viaduct at 46°15′05″N 10°07′15″E on RhB Berninabahn. This is a fine example of an open spiral mainly on the Brusio spiral viaduct on a metre gauge single track railway.
  Spiral South of Gletsch at 46°33′28″N 8°21′18″E on the former Furka Oberalp Bahn, now Dampfbahn Furka-Bergstrecke Heritage Railway. This is a single track partial rack railway with the catenary equipment removed.
  Spiral East of Grengiols at 46°22′41″N 8°05′42″E on the former Furka Oberalp Bahn, now Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn, between Grengiols and Lax.
caption: Toua spiral tunnel on the RhB Albulabahn
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