Navigating digital transformation in rail – this company is doing it right
The rail freight industry wants to embrace the digital revolution; the IT firms are standing ready to facilitate this transformation. Still, the transformation is painfully slow, and the two industries are only gradually moving closer...Read more
US firm develops autonomous freight wagon for rail
Intramotev, a technology startup from St. Louis, has developed an autonomous freight car that can be used in a standard rail service. The vehicle, called the TugVolt, is currently aimed at short-haul routes of 600...Read more
Cognitive rail pilot: can robots take over train driving?
The artificial intelligence (AI) based system Cognitive Rail Pilot acquired the Declaration of Conformity to the regulations of the Eurasian Economic Union, meaning that it can start its deployment in several countries. The system is...Read more
5G enters Dutch railways with this innovation
In the Netherlands a new product is on the horizon; a wireless axle counter that works on 5G. The infrastructure manager ProRail and innovator Rail Connect will work on this product for the next three...Read more
Russia’s hydrogen plan: ‘it is all about the right infrastructure’
Russia is currently building a fleet of new hydrogen-based freight locomotives, completely in line with the recently approved state strategy towards hydrogen energy in the Russian Federation. But only by building new locomotives the shift...Read more
Innovation: former SpaceX engineers design railcars of the future
Parallel Systems, a company founded by former SpaceX engineers, has raised nearly 47 million euros in funding to build autonomous battery-powered rail vehicles that move containers. The new engineering work aims to make rail freight...Read more
Dutch Intermodal Telematics offers digital solutions to Hitachi
Intermodal Telematics (IMT), a Netherlands based telematics company, entered a long-term agreement with Hitachi Rail. Their partnership will focus on developing digital solutions for rail freight in Europe and North America.Read more
Adif awards contract for variable gauge axle system for freight trains
Spanish railway manager Adif has awarded a contract for an improved version of a variable gauge axle system for freight rolling stock to TRIA Transport Engineering and Technology. The project costs nearly 6 million euros...Read more
Is cybercrime the pandemic for rail in 2022?
A German logistics company is still counting the cost of a breach of its digital archives earlier this month. The knock-on effects for customers and reputation are only just being counted. With the very nature...Read more
A new rail freight tunnel to answer Liverpool port demand
An ambitious underground freight transport tunnel has been proposed as an answer to access issues at the rapidly expanding Port of Liverpool. The project would provide an alternative to a road access scheme, which campaigners...Read more
Rail freight Canada goes electric
North America, where diesel rules supreme, is about to see a shift in freight haulage hierarchy. One trans-continental carrier is about to break ranks, with a plan to ditch the diesel and bank on batteries....Read more
From smart wagon to smart train in 2022
TX Logistik AG and Mercitalia Intermodal cooperate in a new project aiming to optimise combined transport (CT) operations. The companies will test innovative sensors and communication technologies to make freight wagons used in combined transport...Read more
Power struggle as America goes electric
North America, where diesel rules supreme, is about to see a shift in freight haulage hierarchy. One trans-continental carrier is about to break ranks, with a plan to ditch the diesel and bank on batteries....Read more
Freightliner moves swiftly on low emission fuels implementation
UK operator Freightliner is putting itself forward as the leader in alternative fuels, designed to lower emissions, and accelerate progress towards the government mandated Net Zero economy. The company has embarked on further operational trials,...Read more
Empowering intermodal terminals through automation
After the East West Gate terminal in Hungary and the port of Koper in Slovenia, Camco Technologies signed with Genesee & Wyoming Inc. (G&W), to enable the automation of its terminals in the UK. Werner...Read more
Towards Industry 4.0 in terminals: how do AI and 5G work?
Many terminals use artificial intelligence (AI) in their operations. Simultaneously, 5G is gaining traction as a technological enabler for faster data sharing. How do these technologies work, and will they lead to a more sustainable...Read more‘Dutch Betuwe route is ideal for testing ATO on freight trains’
DB Cargo and ProRail are starting new tests with Automatic Train Operation on an important Dutch freight corridor. “The Betuwe route is a very interesting track which is optimised for freight, with ETCS and no...Read more
DB Cargo and ProRail start ATO testing
A new Automatic Train Operation (ATO) test project started this month on the Dutch Betuwe route. It is a German-Dutch cooperation which will run until the end of 2025. The project includes a one-year test...Read more
Is your transport flow eligible for a shift to rail?
Shippers that wonder if their transport could also be done by rail have just got a new way to find out. In MATCH 2 RAIL, they can upload their journey, and the tool will align...Read more