Scrambles Amongst the Alps in the Years 1860–69 · Chapter
The Mont Cenis—The Fell Railway—The Great Tunnel Through the Alps explained
Whymper describes the Mont Cenis pass, its transformation by Napoleon's road, and the subsequent Fell railway and the great Alpine tunnel.
What happens
Whymper describes the Mont Cenis pass, its transformation by Napoleon's road, and the subsequent Fell railway and the great Alpine tunnel. He details the engineering marvels, the dangers faced by workers, and the application of compressed air and hydraulic power, noting the low fatality rate and the successful junction of the tunnel in 1870.
Themes in this chapter
Scientific Observation
Whymper details the engineering principles of the Fell railway and the tunnel, including compressed air, hydraulic power, and geological predictions.
Danger and Mortality
The chapter includes a table of fatal accidents in the tunnel and describes the risks faced by miners, especially from wagons and rockfalls.
Human vs. Nature
The tunnel represents humanity's struggle to overcome the formidable Alpine barrier, using technology to bore through the mountains.
Characters to notice
- Edward Whymper
Narrator and observer, travels through Mont Cenis and visits the tunnel works.
- M. Elie de Beaumont
Geologist who predicted the strata through which the tunnel would pass.
Key passages
“The Fell railway, which was open about four years, was a line that well deserved attention.”
The Fell railway operated for roughly four years and was a noteworthy engineering achievement.
Whymper highlights the short-lived but innovative Fell railway.
“The total is insignificant when one considers the number of men engaged and the length of time over which it was spread, and it compares favourably with almost any other enterprise of similar magnitude.”
The number of deaths was small relative to the workforce and duration, making the tunnel safer than many comparable projects.
Whymper comments on the relatively low fatality rate of the tunnel construction.
“There was not a single steam-engine on the works; everything was done with compressed air, or by hydraulic power.”
The tunnel works used no steam engines, relying entirely on compressed air and hydraulic power.
Whymper notes the innovative use of compressed air and hydraulics instead of steam.