Freight Tracks issue 33

ALPHA TRAINS LEASES STADLER LOCOS TO LOW COST RAIL

Electric locomotives for sustainable freight transport in Spain

ALPHA Trains has entered a partnership with Low Cost Rail and Stadler Valencia for the purchase and lease of three EURO6000 electric locomotives. The new assets represent an important investment in transport solutions for the Spanish freight market.

The agreement is a further step in Alpha Trains' commitment to the provision of reliable and efficient rail transport solutions that reduce the impact on the environment.

Low Cost Rail provides traction and all types of freight services on the entire Spanish network in the Iberian gauge. The EURO6000 locomotives, manufactured by Stadler

Valencia, offer the highest hauling capacity on the market and are designed for efficient and sustainable freight transport with the benefits of electric traction. The locomotives' high power and tractor effort will enable Low Cost Rail to operate longer and heavier trains in single traction, making the transportation process more flexible and efficient.

“We are delighted to add Stadler's top-of-the-range electric locomotives to our fleet. They will help our company to develop new efficient rail corridors. We would like to thank Alpha Trains for making this possible. Low Cost Rail proves its commitment with the environmentally sustainable trans-

STADLER EURO6000 ELECTRIC

port with this investment,” said Iñigo de Peñaranda, partner at Low Cost Rail.

“We are very pleased to announce our partnership with Low Cost Rail and Stadler Valencia to deliver these electric locomotives for sustainable freight transport in Spain,” said Fernando Pérez, Interim CEO of the Alpha Trains Group. “Our goal is to provide our customers with innovative and sustainable rail transport solutions, and we believe that these locomotives are an important step in achieving this goal.”

“We are very proud of the opportunities that the EURO6000 locomotive is providing to the Spanish freight

market. We would like to congratulate Alpha Trains for facilitating its use with tailor-made leasing solutions and Low Cost Rail for boosting more sustainable freight transport by relying on our locomotives,” said Iñigo Parra, CEO Stadler Valencia.

Low Cost Rail received funding for this purchase from the Spanish Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda (MITMA) as part of the Programme to Support Sustainable and Digital Transport (PATSYD) in the frame of the Plan for Recovery, Transformation and Resiliency (PRTR) financed by the Next Generation European Funds.

HBI TRANSPORT THE BOXONBOX

Together with DB Cargo, Innofreight has transported HBI (Hot Briquetted Iron) from the Netherlands to Austria. The use of HBI in steel production can reduce the use of coal in the blast furnace process – an important raw material on the way to CO₂-neutral steel production. Twenty-one

2×40 ft InnoWagons with the new BoxOnBox containers were required to transport the necessary raw material into the steel mill in a round trip twice a week.

The lightweight design of the containers has allowed raw material loads to be increased and thanks to the compact dimen-

sions of the containers, loading and unloading is made easier.

One special feature of the BoxOnBox system is not yet being utilised in this first transport, but is to be used in the future, says the company. After unloading the BoxOnBox containers, they can be stacked on top of

each other. In this way, they create space on the wagon to load further containers. In this way, the train can transport materials in both directions.

In the future, this will save rail capacity and allow goods to be transported even more efficiently by rail.

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Nexxiot delivers new

new vector sensor

Vector sensor enables rail participants to manage operations more safely and provides insights for the successful delivery of cargo

NEXXIOT, the digital supply chain technology provider, has released a new multipurpose Vector sensor to monitor brakes, hatches and doors on railcars. The sensor complements a growing portfolio of Nexxiot Asset Intelligence technology, which is used by leading transport companies to remove uncertainty and risks associated with safety and cargo quality.

The demand for reliable rail cargo transport increases as urbanisation and resource insecurity rise. Rail companies are determined to provide safe, high-quality cargo delivery services to meet growing demand. Multiple damaging incidents in transportation over recent months are accelerating the need for innovation, which is changing how the industry operates.

The design of Vector sensor creates optionality for clients to address multiple use cases with one versatile architecture.

With a service life of more than 15 years, the device measures the status in real time to provide data on hand brakes, access hatches, and train doors. It connects wirelessly to the Nexxiot Globehopper gateway using Bluetooth LE (BLE), and from here, the data is sent to the Nexxiot Connect Intelligent Cloud for processing and analysis. Clients can easily access data and enhance decision-making capabilities and responses.

Until now, the only way to monitor railcar brake status, hatch opening or closing events, and door usage was to conduct physical inspections and manu-

al reporting. With automated data collection, essential safety-related checks, and component condition monitoring, possible future points of failure are identified as they occur.

“Both rail operators and cargo owners benefit from this innovation. With increased attention on safety, compliance, and resource security, Vector sensor offers multiple stakeholders the opportunity to monitor processes and demonstrate to their clients that they take maximum care when it comes to safety and cargo quality,” said Paul Wielsch, Nexxiot CTO.

Through close collaboration with industry leaders, clients, and partners, Nexxiot co-creates technical innovations to solve long-standing industry problems. Nexxiot is currently digitalising entire fleets of shipping containers and railcars with zero-maintenance IoT gateways. Now clients benefit from real-time asset intelligence across the entire cargo journey.

RAIL FREIGHT ON EUROPEAN TRANSPORT LOGISTIC 2023

More than 75,000 visitors from over 120 countries

2320 exhibitors from 67 countries transport logistic shows topic leadership

FOUR trade fair days, full halls, exhibitors and visitors from all over the world and a dynamic industry still on the rise – from May 9 to 12 2023, transport logistic and the integrated air cargo Europe were once again the centre point of the logistics industry, including rail freight.

Altogether 2320 exhibitors from 67 countries (2,374 exhibitors from 63 countries in 2019) and more than 75,000 visitors from over 120 countries (63,893 visitors from 125 countries in 2019) came to the international industry trade fair for logistics, mobility, IT and supply chain management at the exhibition centre in Munich. The share of international visitors rose to over 50%, higher than ever.

For Messe München co-CEOs, Stefan Rummel and Dr. Reinhard Pfeiffer, transport logistic illustrat-

ed quite clearly that “the industry provides great inspiration in these challenging times. People want to get things moving, pushing forward, tackling the current issues together. What we saw and experienced here in terms of ideas and technologies over the last four days is really unique. To sum it up: nothing happens without logistics.”

German Federal Minister of Transport and Digital Infrastructure Dr. Volker Wissing was also impressed at the opening of transport logistic: “What you see here shows once again that the transport and logistics industry is right up there when it comes to innovations, progress and modern technologies. And what becomes especially clear at this trade fair is that climate goals aren’t just nice words, but rather that the industry takes them very

EUROPEAN STAGE AT 2023

see it everywhere you look, at every booth.”

Sustainability top theme

Kühne+Nagel Managing Director Tobias Jerschke can only agree with the Minister’s appraisal: “transport logistic is still the world’s most important leading trade fair, for us as well of course. This year I really liked the way the sustainability topic was a common theme running through the entire trade fair. This is a strong signal for the whole industry and will help us to focus even more precisely on this important issue.” While Alessandro Cacciola, CEO at the Andreas Schmid Group, adds: “Messe München succeeds time and again to perfectly map the latest trends and developments in the industry. This year I perceived sustainability in particular as a strong and positive topic, and transport logistic is therefore a place where the future of logistics is being actively co-shaped.”

Highest number of international exhibitors

With total exhibition space of 127,000 sq m, 2000 sq m larger than 2019's show, (2019: 125,000 square meters), the ten halls and the track system in the outdoor area were completely booked out. Of the 2320 exhibitors, 1390 came from abroad—a record share of 60%. The top ten exhibitor countries after Germany were the Netherlands, Italy, Belgium, France, Austria, China, Turkey, Spain, Poland and Great Britain.

Big names at a big show

The rail freight industry was represented both inside and outside of the event by some of the most promienet names, such as VTG, Wascosa, Ermewa and GATX Europe, in the European industry. In the outside area, wagons and locomotives bearing some very prominent branding. As well as the most modern examples of rolling stock and the latest mainline locomotoves, shuncters and historic passenger cars were also on display.

Visitors were able to examine, and clamber over, some of the most modern and advanced rolling stock. Those who came on the first day were rewarded by blue skies and calm weather. Sadly, the remaining days were spent under rain and unpleasant weather. The outdoor exhibts looked forlorn much of the time.

Inside, however, the event carried on despite the weather. Companies such as Hupac, EPRAI, DB Cargo and Mercitalia had stands that showed off their products and services to the market.

The event is biennial, with the next staging happening in 2025.

The top ten exhibitor countries after Germany were Netherlands, Italy, Belgium, France, Austria, China, Turkey, Spain, Poland and Great Britain.

Images from exhibitors

BECAUSE NOT ALL FREIGHT ON A TRAIN MOVES IN A BOX

FrT FEATURES 2023

In 2023, Freight Tracks issues will contain a series of monthly in-depth feature articles on rail freight business topics. Our writers will look at the subject from different angles to give a 360o oversight. These will be perfect places for advertisements to reach your customers.

editor@freight-tracks.com

May

Rolling stock design

June

Rolling stock leasing

July

Automotive

August

EU rail freight

September

North American rail freight

October

UK & Ireland rail freight

November

Freight locomotives

December

Prospects for 2024

CLICK THE COVER TO VISIT THE LAST ISSUE OF FREIGHT TRACKS!

Shaw: delivering reliable and resilient service is the foundation of NS strategy

NORFOLK Southern held its annual meeting of shareholders, where the company reaffirmed its commitment to leading the industry on safety and service.

Norfolk Southern's President and CEO Alan H. Shaw said the company's strategy announced at its Investor Day in December 2022 is "even more relevant today". The strategy balances service, productivity and growth to safely deliver reliable and resilient service to customers.

"A safer railroad is a better railroad. The events of the last few months have strengthened our commitment to leading the industry in rail safety," Shaw said.

the company's focus on doing the right thing for the long term.

"On my first visit immediately thereafter, I made a commitment to do whatever it takes to help the community recover and thrive. We made this commitment because it was the right thing to do and consistent with our long-term priorities and leading with our values. The board and management team value engagement with, and feedback from shareholders, particularly over the last few months," he said,

Amy E. Miles, Chair of Norfolk Southern's board of directors. "As we look ahead, we will not stand still. Norfolk Southern will learn from the East Palestine derailment to become an even safer company. The entire board remains focused on driving the company forward as management continues to execute on its new strategy to deliver operational excellence and sustainable longterm value creation."

"Every day our company is entrusted with the responsibility of safely moving the goods and materials that drive the US economy. We earn that trust by doing what we say we are going to do.

"That's what our new strategy is all about. Instead of a short-term focus on cost reduction, we charted a new course built around long-term value creation, business growth, and strengthening relationships with stakeholders.

"This customer-centric, operations-driven service model is a better way forward for Norfolk Southern," Shaw said.

Shaw said that the company's response to the derailment in East Palestine was an example of

Preliminary results of official business

In official business, based on preliminary results, shareholders elected Amy E. Miles, Chair of the Board and former Chair and Chief Executive Officer of Regal Entertainment Group, Inc., to serve for a one-year term expiring in 2024. Additionally, shareholders also elected the following 12 directors for one-year terms expiring in 2024:

Thomas D. Bell, Jr; Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr; Marcela E. Donadio; John C. Huffard, Jr; Christopher T. Jones; Thomas C. Kelleher; Steven F. Leer; Michael D. Lockhart; Claude Mongeau; Jennifer F. Scanlon; Alan H. Shaw; and, John R. Thompson.

CPKC launches Mexico Midwest Express

CANADIAN Pacific Kansas City

(CPKC) has launched the Mexico Midwest Express (MMX) Series premium intermodal service bringing customers the first truck-competitive, single-line rail service option between the US Midwest and Mexico.

As the only dedicated intermodal trains operating daily between the Midwest and Mexico, the MMX Series provides the fastest transit times in the rail industry with seamless, expanded

reach to more markets.

"The Mexico Midwest Express offers truly best-in-class service and represents the growth potential of providing truck-competitive service and reliable rail transportation options for shippers with the newly-combined CPKC," said CPKC President and CEO Keith Creel.

“This is a game changer for this essential north-south trade corridor. Customers already are signing up for

these new options as to grow our business.”

Last month, CPKC multi-year agreements and with Knight-Swift for intermodal transportation along the CPKC single-line corridor. The MMX Series 11 with trains MMX-180 which now link Chicago, Texas markets, Monterrey Potosi. The trains offer

Express premium intermodal service

as we compete hard business.”

CPKC announced new agreements with Schneider Knight-Swift Transportation transportation services single-line north-south Series debuted May MMX-180 and MMX-181 Chicago, Kansas City, Monterrey and San Luis offer third-day service

to/from Laredo, fourth-day service to/ from Monterrey and 4.5-day service to/ from San Luis Potosi. MMX provides total transit time of 98 hours from Chicago to San Luis Potosi – a day faster than the nearest competitor.

Single-line haul efficiencies, combined with seamless crossborder service, make CPKC intermodal transit times competitive with over the road trucks. Converting trucks to rail reduces emissions and makes highways safer,

realization of the benefits of the CPKC combination.

Since March 2022, an intermodal service between Lázaro Cárdenas, Mexico and Chicago has been operating as a proof of concept on an interline basis.

CPKC is working with customers and investing in infrastructure to unlock the full potential of the newly combined network while continually raising the bar with industry-leading safety and sustainability practices.

Carbon cutting milestone – 10m tonnes

Major milestone, way ahead of target, carbon emissions by removing

UK HIGH-SPEED rail project HS2 has delivered 10 million tonnes of material to – and removed from –construction sites by rail, a major milestone in HS2’s plan to cut carbon emissions by removing lorries from roads.

Businesses involved came together to celebrate at an event at Tarmac’s Tunstead Quarry, including HS2 Ltd, Network Rail, aggregate suppliers, transport solution companies, and four freight operators –along with a unique line-up of locomotives from each company.

When HS2 launched its ‘Materials by Rail’ programme in 2020, the target by 2030 was to haul 10

million tonnes of aggregate to and from sites, taking up to 1.5 million lorries off the roads using up to 15,000 freight trains.

Working strategically with joint venture partners, Network Rail, freight operators and building materials companies, HS2 has already moved over 10 million tonnes of materials by rail in just over a two years period.

It is now expected that HS2 will move 20 million tonnes of aggregate across the Phase One programme, removing three million lorries from the strategic road network on 30,000 freight trains.

During the event, Robert Largan, MP for High

tonnes of material already moved

hard with our joint venture companies, Network Rail, freight operators and aggregate suppliers to make deliveries by rail where possible.

“In addition to cutting carbon emissions, HS2’s ‘Materials by Rail’ strategy is creating jobs and skills opportunities right across the country, along with minimising impacts to communities along the line of route.”

HS2 has been working with Network Rail for a number of years to ensure that capacity on the rail network is available for HS2’s contractors to deliver their requirements by rail rather than road.

Chris Bennett-Poynter, Regional Freight Manager – North West and Central Region at Network Rail said: “We’re delighted to mark this significant milestone for HS2’s ‘Materials by Rail’ programme which is taking polluting lorries off our congested roads to transport aggregate across the country in a fast, reliable and environmentally friendly way.

“Reducing carbon emissions is a key priority for Network Rail and we will continue to work closely with HS2 and our industry partners to maximise further transportation of construction materials by rail.”

The event was attended by MP for High Peak Robert Largan, HS2 Ltd’s Conventional Rail Interface Manager Andrew Graham, Managing Director – Midlands Region at Tarmac Rob Doody, Regional Freight Manager – North West and Central Region at Network Rail Chris Bennett-Poynter.

Peak said: "This is a fantastic milestone for HS2 and it was great to celebrate it with the many companies involved in delivering it. HS2 is playing an important role right now for many businesses in our region and right across the country.

"Once operating, it will provide the much-needed extra capacity for busy passenger journeys in local areas, as well as freeing up more space for freight, taking lorries off the roads."

David Speight, Delivery Director for Main Works Civils Phase One, HS2 Ltd said: “Our ‘Materials by Rail’ strategy plays a vital role in our objective to cut carbon right across the project, and we’re working

Representatives from transport solutions companies also attended – Fishbone, Rail Stone Solutions (RSS), Legge infrastructure and Mendip Rail, along with the four freight operators – DB Cargo UK, DC Rail (part of the Cappagh Group of Companies), Freightliner and GB Railfreight (GBRf), and aggregate suppliers – Tarmac, Aggregate Industries, CEMEX UK and Hanson UK.

One of the Class 66 locomotives at the event, number 66796, was rebranded by GB Railfreight with an HS2 design in 2021 to mark the opening of the project’s London logistics hub.

The HS2 locomotive was named ‘The Green Progressor’ by 17-year-old HS2 enthusiast, Jermaine from Leeds, who was also present at the milestone event.

target, in HS2’s plan to cut removing lorries from roads.

Whatever you call it ...

Goederenvervoer per spoor

Transporte ferroviario

Fret ferroviaire

Järnvägstransporter

Transporto ferroviario

Vasúti árufuvarozás

Raudteekaubavedu

Teck and CPKC seal long-term rail agreement

CANADIAN Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) and Teck Coal Limited have entered into a long-term rail agreement for the transportation of steelmaking coal from Teck’s four operations in southeastern BC. The agreement runs until the end of 2026.

In support of building green transportation corridors and as a shared commitment to sustainability, CPKC and Teck intend to collaboratively develop a unique pilot program that integrates the use of CPKC’s hydrogen locomotives into Teck’s steelmaking coal supply chain. It is anticipated that this effort will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, with testing commencing in early 2024.

The companies will also work together to increase the resiliency of the Canadian supply chain with investment in infrastructure and technology from origin through to destination.

“This collaboration with CPKC to pioneer hydrogen locomotive technology supports our climate action strategy and our objective of achieving net zero by 2050,” said Jonathan Price, CEO, Teck. “The agreement complements our Neptune Terminals investment and other secured West Coast port capacity to support the efficient movement of our high-quality Canadian steelmaking coal to our global customers.”

“We are pleased to have reached this agreement continuing our long history of success providing safe and efficient transportation solutions to Teck,” said Keith Creel, CPKC President and Chief Executive Officer. “CPKC is proud to work with organizations such as Teck that share our passion to be leaders for a sustainable future as we look to take the next step in the development of our innovative hydrogen locomotive programme.”

TX LOGISTIK is further expanding its fleet of own locomotives for intermodal transport. Together with the Italian railway Ferrovie dello Stato as parent company, a contract for the purchase of 40 modern Vectron locomotives in the MS variant was signed with the rail vehicle manufacturer Siemens Mobility at the transport logistic trade fair in Munich. The purchase of 25 additional Vectron locomotives was also agreed as an

option, which includes both MS and AC variants.

With the purchase of the new locomotives, TX Logistik wants to create the capacities to continue to grow in international rail freight transport, for which the company is responsible within the Mercitalia-Logistics-Group (Gruppe (Gruppo FS Italiane). To this end, the machines were ordered with various country packages. 20 Vectron

will be equipped for the German-Austrian-Italian corridor (D-A-I), 20 will receive the country package for operation in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy and the Netherlands (D-A-CH-INL).

The first locomotives are to be handed over to TX Logistik from September 2024. Delivery of the last models is then scheduled for December 2025. Maintenance of the locomotives has also been

awarded to Siemens Mobility by TX Logistik as part of a full-service contract.

At the same time, the investment in modern equipment is a further step in the consistent implementation of the FS Italiane Group's business plan.

The plan provides for investments of 2.9 billion euros over the next ten years in order to significantly promote the operational and economic development of sustainable logistics assets related to

rail freight transport both in Italy and in Europe.

TX Logistik was founded in 1999 as a private rail transport company and maintains an efficient European network with connections in eleven countries.

The company has subsidiaries in Switzerland, Austria, Denmark and Sweden as well as local office in Italy. In its Intermodal and Rail Freight divi-

sions, TX Logistik develops comprehensive rail solutions for continental and maritime traffic as well as tailor-made concepts for conventional freight. With around 730 employees and 9.0 billion tonne kilometres, the company generated annual sales of 298 million euros in 2022. Since January 2017, TX Logistik has been wholly owned by Mercitalia Logistics SpA, a subsidiary of Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane. www.freight-tracks.com

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