Germany’s Quiet Rail Strategy passes final legal hurdle
Legislation to end noisy freight trains in Germany has passed the final hurdle in the process, ensuring that the country’s Quiet Rail Strategy will become a reality within the next four years. Rail operators will...Read more
Rail Baltica can deliver increased freight exports
A new cost-benefit analysis on Rail Baltica, an EU initiative linking the Baltic States and Poland with a new standard gauge freight line, says the project can deliver vital socio-economic benefits such as increased exports....Read more
CER summit seeks rail freight noise solutions
Tackling rail freight noise pollution must involve a ‘comprehensive approach’ by stakeholders, EU Transport Commissioner Violeta Bulc has told a summit organised by the Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER). The aim was...Read more
Kiruna successfully tests new EU-backed dump wagon project
Swedish-based Kiruna Wagon has successfully tested a new side dump wagon and unloading station as part of a European Union (EU) project for developing ‘smart’ rail freight wagons for the mined agricultural sector. Led by Spanish...Read more
RFG’s Maggie Simpson: freight network must be ‘fit for purpose’
As Executive Director of the UK Rail Freight Group, Maggie Simpson’s inbox is never empty. She leads the RFG’s work to increase modal shift, by campaigning for a policy environment which supports rail freight, promotes...Read more
EU rail freight test portal now live
The pilot version of a ‘one-stop-shop’ European web portal detailing rail freight service facilities across the continent can now be accessed online. The railfreightlocations.eu site is a European Union initiative involving a group of rail...Read more
Karel Vinck: ‘No reason’ freight trains should not be 700 metres
The European Railways Agency’s Karel Vinck says there is no reason why all freight trains should not be the 700 metre-long version as an effective roll-out of the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) will...Read more
Two keys to modal shift: Collaboration & Competition
European rail freight policymakers must help ensure that national rail infrastructure managers work much more closely together to alleviate bottlenecks at borders, and thus pave the way for a much-increased sustainable modal shift from road...Read more
Electrification scheme boosts Latvia’s TEN-T status
Latvia’s rail freight capability could be set to move to the next level with the roll-out of a nationwide electrification project linked to the European TEN-T Networks. It comes fresh on the back of the...Read moreCzech freight network adds military hardware to portfolio
The army of the Czech Republic teamed up with national rail freight carrier ČD Cargo for a major logistics exercise aimed at testing operations in freezing conditions. In a further demonstration of how military hardware...Read more
European Commission approves road-rail funding for Italy
Southern Italy is set to benefit the most from the European Commission’s establishment of two national support schemes aimed at encouraging a shift of freight transport from road to rail and sea. The two schemes...Read more
Rail cargo must be cost-effective, ProRail CEO tells EU Freight Day
Rail freight must become a ‘more attractive and cost-effective option’ for all customers, a high-level meeting of European cargo stakeholders including ProRail and RailNet Europe has been told. The third annual European Union (EU) Rail...Read more
European Parliament approves 4th Railway Package
The long-awaited 4th Railway Package has been described by the European Rail Freight Association (ERFA) as a ‘missed opportunity’ to create a competitive level playing field between rail and other transport modes. ERFA believes that the...Read more
Green light for new Gotthard freight timetable
A streamlined new rail freight timetable forms part of the new Gotthard Tunnel link between Switzerland and Italy which launches commercial services on Sunday. Cargo customers will benefit from a faster service with more overnight...Read more
Pro-Rail Alliance supports ban on noisy German freight trains
Draft legislation that would ban noisy freight trains in Germany has received the support of a powerful transport lobby group. The German Pro-Rail Alliance says the law, if enacted, would bring relief to the ‘noise...Read more