Freight Tracks issue #34

Whatever you call it ...

Rail freight

Goederenvervoer per spoor

Transporte ferroviario

Fret ferroviaire

Järnvägstransporter

Transporto ferroviario

Vasúti árufuvarozás

Raudteekaubavedu

UNION PACIFIC’S HISTORIC 'BIG BOY #4014'

UNION Pacific's famed Big Boy #4014, the world's largest steam locomotive, returns to the rails on June 7 for its Home Run Express Tour to Omaha, Nebraska, where it will be on display for 11 days during the college baseball championship.

The 1.1 million pound locomotive (453 tonnes) that was built to haul heavy freight during World War II can be viewed at Home Plate next to Charles Schwab Field in Omaha from June 15-25, with numerous whistle-stops planned along its journey from Cheyenne, Wy-

oming, to the ballpark.

“The Big Boy is a special piece of Union Pacific’s history that played a vital role in helping carry the nation through World War II, and reminds us of rail’s continued role in the U.S. economy,” said Scott Moore, Senior Vice President – Corporate Relations and Chief Administrative Officer. “We are delighted to provide rail enthusiasts and baseball fans alike the opportunity to bask in the glory of two distinctly American passions, experiencing the rich history of rail and the thrill of a baseball

#4014' SET TO SCORE A HOME RUN

game.”

Baseball shares a deep connection with US railroads, dating back to the late 1800s. As the sport grew, players and fans relied upon rail to travel long distances for games. By 1876, game times were being scheduled to coincide with train schedules.

Big Boy will leave Cheyenne, Wyoming, on June 7, en route to Omaha. It will make numerous whistle-stops in Wyoming and Nebraska before returning to its home base in Cheyenne on July 3. During its Omaha display, the public

will be allowed to see the locomotive up close between June 15-21 and June 24-25 from 12:00 pm to 18:00.

Twenty-five Big Boy locomotives were built to haul freight over the steep grade of the Wasatch Mountain Range in Utah during World War II.

Eight were preserved but only Big Boy No. 4014 is still in operation. The locomotive was restored for 2019's "Great Race" tours to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the transcontinental railroad’s completion.

ROLLING STOCK

Tagnpps grain railcars

THE Tagnpps grain railcars have expanded the GATX fleet after a strong partnership with ÖBB Rail Cargo Group. In anticipation of rising demands, GATX is the process of incorporating over 350 brand-new grain railcars into its fleet, with the initial client handover scheduled for mid-January.

Johannes Friess, Business Unit Manager at GATX Rail Europe, expressed his excitement, stating: "We are com-

mencing the new year with a remarkable addition to our fleet, both in terms of quality and quantity. This enhancement enables our customers to transport grain, a crucial food item, safely and sustainably throughout the year.”

Reinhold Pölzl, Business Unit Manager at ÖBB Rail Cargo Group, added: “We have eagerly awaited GATX Rail Europe's expansion to include grain railcars, as the

STOCK DESIGN railcars introduced

demand for the Tagnpps railcar type continues to grow across the continent. Our objective is always to anticipate and fulfil customer demands, and in GATX Rail Europe, we have found a reliable partner who shares similar values."

Designed based on extensive experience, featuring GATX's distinctive lime green paint, and equipped with state-of-the-art telematics and sensor devices, the new

grain railcar sets the market standard for grain transportation. The Tagnpps have been introduced in two different sizes to accommodate various delivery requirements. Customers can choose between two dimensions: 95 and 103 cubic meters, resulting in varying car lengths and weights tailored to their specific loading, transport, and unloading needs. www.freight-tracks.com

ROLLING STOCK

A NEW INTERMODAL RAILCAR

STOCK DESIGN

KNOWN for its experience in rental and sales of intermodal transport equipment, such as swap bodies, containers, chassis, railcars, tailor-made equipment, Frenchbased Modalis designs innovative multimodal logistics solutions to consolidate the modal shift eco-system.

SABIC is to equip its European Globalstar & Ovinto satellite-based technology. SABIC is a provider emergency notification technologies, rail tank cars to transport chemicals. By M2M asset tracking solution, SABIC has in its focus on safety in the production and ditionally, the new technology is helping chain operations and to enhance partner

Because Ovinto Sat relies on Globalstar’s ellite constellation, SABIC benefits from reach to obtain timely, accurate information asset in its fleet. This helps ensure that

ROLLING STOCK DESIGN MONITORING PETROCHEMICALS ACROSS A FLEET OF RAIL TANK CARS

DESIGN

fleet of 500 rail tank cars with satellite-based tracking and monitoring provider of satellite IoT messaging and technologies, uses its European fleet of By selecting the ATEX Ovinto Sat has taken a significant next step and transport of chemicals. Adhelping SABIC to optimise its supply partner relationships.

Globalstar’s next generation LEO satfrom the network’s reliability and information about the status of every that SABIC as well as other stakeholders have immediate access to data in order to act more speedily and efficiently. Meanwhile, SABIC is able to track each vehicle on its journey in real time so it can have an accurate understanding of delivery times.

This enables SABIC to immediately know whether a rail tank car has been loaded or unloaded or is ready to be redeployed. Ovinto Sat supports SABIC in its constant focus on safety and to maximise the value and efficiency of its assets.

“SABIC is a major provider of petrochemicals with customers who use our chemicals and plastics for many different applications. One of the transportation means we use is our fleet of rail tank cars.

Keeping track of a large fleet of these cars, dispersed all over Europe, is crucial. Our rail tank cars contain all sorts of materials, it is absolutely critical that we have the ability to track and monitor the status of the rail tank cars and their contents at all times,” said Judith Kleinen, Category Manager, Land Transport & Spot Shipping Supply Chain, Chemicals at SABIC."

The ATEX Ovinto Sat solution provides oil, gas and chemical industry customers with details about cargo being transported and its condition, including pressure and temperature, whether it is in the correct location or has been impacted due to a crash or derailment. Satellite is the preferred option for such communications due to its availability, reliability and low power consumption compared to GSM.

At the heart of Ovinto Sat is Globalstar’s low power, tiny STX3 chipset.

Since it is battery powered, Ovinto Sat enables customers to monitor hazardous materials in unpowered environments including rail tank cars and tank containers.

Because of its very low power consumption, the Ovinto Sat battery can last up to eight years. Ovinto Sat collates data from various sensors and GPS in each of SABIC’s rail tank cars and sends it securely by satellite to the customer headquarters at regular user-defined intervals.

“SABIC’s choice to install Ovinto Sat in all if its rail tank car fleet in Europe is a strong endorsement of the solution and its ability to reliably monitor remote assets wherever they may be. When materials are being transported across Europe it is critical that the location of assets be always known, but also whether those assets and their contents face risks.

"Only satellite can deliver continuous, reliable, power-efficient connectivity with these assets in order to ensure safety but also to help maximise operational efficiencies,” said Mark O'Connell, General Manager, EMEA & APAC, at Globalstar.

Frederick Ronse, Ovinto CEO, commented: “To ensure efficient and reliable transportation of chemical materials across vast distances, uninterrupted monitoring is critical – relying on GSM alone simply cannot guarantee this connectivity.

"Now, not only will SABIC be able to know exactly where their assets are, they can help ensure these assets are performing better and being used efficiently.”

MANY old railway wagons for freight transport date back to the time when coal, sand or steel scrap were booming. When this time ended, many of these wagons ended up on the siding because they could not transport anything else thanks to their design. At least until recently, when the innovation engineers at Edscha TS created a sustainable user concept. And equipped the wagons with the new tarpaulin sliding roof solution OpenBox. This gives the old rail vehicles completely new user possibilities. At the same time, the cost pressure for previously standing wagons is reduced to a minimum.

Special requirements

Edscha TS has been working successfully with and for the railway for many years. For the implementation of the new concept, this was an essential advantage in order to fulfil special requirements in detail. For example, the optimised roof structure leads to more stability and better drainage. Further advantages are offered by the new

concept for the end carriage. All this on the basis of the OpenBox system by Edscha TS.

From zero to a hundred

The patent-pending OpenBox Railway roof, which weighs approximately 300 kg (on a length of 10 m), makes for excellent planning. Every E-wagon can now be opened sideways from below in a short time, safely and comfortably. Due to the bolted and floating suspension of the rails, retrofitting is easy and allows for deformations of up to approx. 60 mm. The roof has been designed according to the criteria for combined traffic according to EN 283 / UIC 592 and has passed the static tests for tunnel encounter traffic. The German Technical Control Board (TÜV) confirms that the classification as an E-wagon is maintained even with a retrofitted sliding roof.

Perfect idea

ROLLING STOCK DESIGN Old Wagons - New Tasks

OpenBox Railway is quick and easy to operate and set up. It looks like an accordion and is attached to the top of the wagon roof with a special fastening. The system is designed as a one-person solution and can be opened and closed easily and without great effort by just one operator. With all its possibilities, OpenBox Railway presents itself as more than just a small revolution. Further future developments will make rail transport fast, safe and also economical tomorrow.

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

CSX named best railroad by intermodal service providers Trialogue agreement reflect rail freight

THE European Union has established a target of growing rail freight by 50% by 2030 and doubling volumes by 2050. To double volumes by 2050, it will be essential that a longterm and ambitious infrastructure development strategy is agreed upon during the TEN-T trialogue negotiations between the European Commission, European Parliament and European Council. ERFA, representing private and independent rail freight companies, has established a position outlining the key deliverables which should be secured.

CSX has been recognised by intermodal providers as the top-performing railroad in North America. The “Intermodal Service Scorecard” ranking was compiled by the Journal of Commerce and assessed performance through the first four months of 2023.

To create the scorecard, more than 100 shippers and intermodal marketing companies were invited to perform a satisfaction assessment.

Respondents cited their satisfaction with domestic intermodal service as a key driver of CSX’s number one ranking. Customers highlighted improvements in the railroad’s fluidity, train speed and customer service.

“CSX is proud to be recognised by our customers for the quality of our service delivery,” said President and CEO Joe Hinrichs. “CSX’s service performance has returned to — or in many cases surpassed — our pre-pandemic levels. However, we know that we must demonstrate to our customers that we can provide a sustained high level of service.

"And I assure you that we’re committed to continually partnering with our customers to deliver solutions that meet their business needs.”

CSX recently reported first quarter intermodal trip plan compliance results above 95%, demonstrating its strong record of meeting rail car scheduling plans.

The company’s improved service reliability was also cited by the Surface Transportation Board in its recent decision to release CSX from a temporary requirement for Class I railroads to submit bi-weekly service metrics reports. CSX is the only one of the Class Is to no longer be subject to the requirement.

Infrastructure parameters

Firstly, infrastructure parameters must be clear and deployment plans must provide certainty.

The European Union should strive for allowing minimum train lengths of 740 metres along corridors without exception. The introduction of any exceptions will impact upon the ability of longer trains to operate freely throughout the European Union.

Secondly, the number of freight trains which can run on a corridor per hour should be linked to the growth targets set out for rail freight in the European Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy. The role of the TEN-T Regulation is not to define in detail how this should be achieved, but rather to ensure the infrastructure is developed to allow for such traffic.

Thirdly, there is a need to accept that the current ERTMS deployment strategy, both onboard and trackside, is not proceeding as planned.

A new approach is required which ensures a synchronised strategy towards trackside and onboard ERTMS deployment.

ERFA President, Dirk Stahl, stated: "The revised TEN-T Regulation will define how infrastructure is developed for coming 10-20 years. If we are to put rail freight in a position to achieve the targets set out in the Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy, it is important that we are already putting in place the infrastructure development plans to achieve this."

agreement on TEN-T must freight growth targets

ERFA Secretary General, Conor Feighan, concluded:, “The TEN-T Regulation is a large text and it is understandable there will be various priorities during negotiations.

"The need for standardised and ambitious infrastructure development for rail freight is clear though.

"The TEN-T revision will play a particularly important role in the longer-term growth targets for rail freight.”

www.freight-tracks.com

THE European Union has established a target of growing rail freight by 50% by 2030, doubling volumes by 2050.

India report

WHY COLD STORAGE MUST BE THE NEXT HOTTEST THING

RAILWAY EXPERT AND COMMENTATOR

Lalit Chandra Trivedi

TWO or three years back, during the pandemic, Kisan Rails were launched with good intentions. The launch coincided with suspension of passenger train operations across India because of covid-related restrictions.

This resulted in Kisan Rails being received on passenger platforms which were totally empty.

Even at the time. non-availability of cold storage facilities at rail heads resulted in, on many occasions, rotting of fruits and vegetables, as synchronised arrival of road trucks with the arrival of these Kisan Trains was not always possible.

With the resumption of train services facility of passenger platforms being available for loading/unloading/stacking of perishable goods no longer exists. There is a fear that the initiative of running Kisan Rails which was benefiting farmers across the country might disappear in oblivion.

RITES a PSU under Ministry of Railways had started a subsidiary for movement of refrigerated containers but nothing much is heard of even this service now.

Refrigerated parcel vans which at one time numbered 35+ are also not visible.

The requirement of movement of agricultural produce is felt across the country.

It is felt that that there is a need to have dedicated sidings at Railway terminals with cold storage facilities where the perishable consignment of Kisan Rails can be stored till the evacuation by road trucks for the first/last mile movement from the farms to

the retail market can take place.

There was also an idea to use ICF AC coaches nearing their codal life as refrigerated parcel vans just as non AC coaches were converted into NMG coaches for automobile movement.

This ECO system of refrigerated train parcel vans /Rail head cold storage facilities/Refrigerated road vans will be a big booster for the farming community of the country.

For Kisan Rails, I would personally like to have refrigerated container trains with specialised containers for all types vegetables, dairy and poultry products, where the individual villages can be served by no of loose containers as per the individual requirements. These containers can also serve as temporary cold storage units for perishables in transit. An agency for aggregating such containers and transporting them to nearest dedicated railway siding for perishable goods can be engaged. Such railway sidings will need to be located at farming/dairy/poultry/pisciculture zones of the country. Local village level government bodies like panchayats or Tehasil can be made copartners in this ECO system .

Such initiatives are also required to increase no of major commodities in the railway’s transport basket to not only to increase share of rail-based transportation from 28% to 45% as enshrined in National Railway plan but also to help in replacing coal transport in the longer term

broad gAUge locos sent from indiA to Bangladesh

AS evidence of an improving bilateral relationship between India and Bangladesh, a virtual ceremony took place at Rail Bhavan New Delhi, India where 20 broad gauge (BG) locomotives were officially handed over to Bangladesh. The ceremony was attended by Ashwini Vaishnaw, Indian Minister of Railways, who flagged off the locomotives, and Mohammed Nurul Islam Sujan, Minister of Railway from Bangladesh, who joined virtually. The event was also attended by AK Lahoti, Chairman and CEO of the Railway Board, other Board Members, senior officials of the Railway Board and delegates from Bangladesh.

These diesel locomotives, provided as grant assistance from the Government of India, fulfil an important commitment made during the visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh to India in September 2022. To meet the requirements of Bangladesh Railway, the Indian side has made suitable modifications to the locomo-

tives. These locomotives will greatly contribute to the handling of the increasing volume of passenger and freight train operations in Bangladesh.

During the ceremony, Vaishnaw emphasised the civilisational, cultural, social, and economic relationship between India and Bangladesh. He highlighted the proactive roles played by the prime ministers of both countries in improving bilateral relations across various sectors. Indian Railways also play a vital role in enhancing rail connectivity and trade between the two nations. Currently, five broad gauge connectivities are operational, namely Geda-Darsana, Benapol-Petrapol, Singhabad-Rohanpur, Radhikapur-Birol, and Haldibari-Chilahati. Work on two more cross-border rail connectivities, Akhaura-Agartala and Mahihasan-Shahbazpur, is progressing well and is expected to be completed and commissioned soon.

In his virtual address, Sujan expressed his

gratitude to the Indian Government for their support. He acknowledged the previous grant of 10 locomotives provided by the Indian Government in June 2020 and expressed heartfelt appreciation for the provision of the broad gauge locomotives.

He emphasised that the supply of locomotives would enhance both goods and passenger train services.

He also expressed hope for further collaboration between the two countries in the railway sector.

To foster people-to-people contact, three pairs of passenger trains are currently operating between India and Bangladesh, namely Kolkata-Dhaka Maitree Express, Kolkata-Khulna Bandhan Express and New Jalpaiguri-Dhaka Mitali Express.

Rail trade between the two countries has experienced consistent growth, with the interchange of nearly 100 cargo trains per month.

Approximately 2.66 million tonnes of cargo were sent to Bangladesh in the last financial year. The export commodities include stone, food grains, china clay, gypsum, maize, onions and other essential items.

Since 2020, permission has been granted to operate parcel containers and NMG rakes, which usually carry agricultural products, fabrics, finished goods, light commercial vehicles, and tractors. Additionally, a new traffic of geo-synthetic bags has recently commenced and three oarcel trains have been sent from Gujarat.

As part of India's commitment to improving rail services in Bangladesh, 10 broad gauge diesel locomotives were previously handed over on a grant basis in July 2020. According to reports from Bangladesh, these locomotives have been performing well and have contributed significantly to the smooth movement of rail traffic in Bangladesh.

Steeling the railway

"Why should it cost $50 to transport a tonne of steel from Jamshedpur to Mumbai over rail, a distance of 1700 kms and $34 to move the same tonne, from Rotterdam to Mumbai a distance of 6800 kms? A report, referring to the statement of a steel industry executive, further states that for every tonne of steel produced, three tonnes of raw material needs to be transported. The problem becomes worse as most of the steel plants are landlocked and depend for 80% of their transportation requirements on railways.

Steel and coal are among those commodities, which majorly depend upon railways for their logistics needs.

Transportation by road almost costs double. Further frequently wagons earmarked for iron ore are diverted for coal transportation which takes priority over requirements of steel industry whenever coal stocks dwindle in thermal power plants, who target to maintain a coal stock for around 14 days consumption working at full capacity. Movement through slurry in pipelines or waterways

have not become established in India.

Waterways, otherwise the most eco-friendly transportation system, suffer in India from pontoon bridges, low draft and have not emerged in india as dependable means for bulk transport.

Higher transportation costs is becoming a handicap for the Indian steel sector.

Indian Railways (IR) segregates commodities through a classification table for tariff purposes resulting in different rates for different commodities for same tonnage and distance.

Commodities like food grain, salt, fertilisers costs less while transportation of some some others like oil/coal/ steel cost more.

So while cost for transporting 1 ton of salt over 1000 km costs R931, for oil/steel it will be R670 per tonne, for coal it will be R891, in comparison, road transportation rates are fixed for an identical truck load between same destinations.

railway for solutions

RAILWAY EXPERT AND COMMENTATOR

Lalit Chandra Trivedi

The stated strategy in railways is to charge more for a commodity with inelastic demand for transportation by rail as alternatives are not feasible to maximise freight earnings.

IR’s problem is empty haulage of wagons like boxwagons in return direction, unlike covered wagons used for transportation of cement/food grain etc which are loaded in both directions.

Recommended strategy

1. Cut down staff cost presently costing 60-70% of the total input cost.

2. Use of technology to optimise wagon utilisation by eliminating empty running.

3. Expeditious completion of DFCC , particularly commencing work on Sonnagar - Dankuni (Kolkata) 500 kms stretch where even tendering process is awaited.

4. Mechanising loading and unloading processes to cut down terminal detention .

5. Action plan for increasing permissible axle loads.

6. Increasing average speeds of good trains from 25 km/h to 50 km/h.

TX Logistik orders more wagons for intermodal transport

TX LOGISTIK continues to invest in its own freight wagon fleet. The rail logistics company, which belongs to Mercitalia Logistics (Gruppo FS Italiane), has ordered further 115 double pocket wagons of the type T3000 for its intermodal transport. Delivery of the first wagons is scheduled for late summer this year.

The modern pocket wagons are produced by the Slovakian manufacturer Tatravagonka. They have a 30-foot container suspension, fast-acting brakes and thermostable wheelsets of the latest generation.

The T3000 is increasingly becoming the standard wagon in intermodal transport, according to TX Logistik, with which both semi-trailers and containers can be flexibly transported at a maximum speed of up to 120 kilometres per hour.

In addition, the model is particularly well adapted to the TX transhipment system NiKRASA, with which non-craneable semi-trailers can also be easily loaded onto the rail. The recently introduced new version 3.0 does not need a terminal ramp any more, is stackable

and has been optimised once again for the rail transport of megatrailers.

With the new order of the T3000, TX Logistik is fulfilling the company's strategic goal of increasing its own share of freight wagons for intermodal transport to 50% overall. In this segment, the continuing market demand for transport by rail, driven not least by the political goal of expanding the share of rail freight to 25% by 2030, has led to a shortage of rolling stock.

With access to its own wagon capacities, TX Logistik will thus be able to react even more flexibly to intermodal demand in its European network in the future.

CN POLICE MARKS A CENTURY OF THE RULE OF LAW

ON April 1 2023, CN Police Services (CNPS) marked its 100th anniversary as an integral part of our railroad and communities.

It is a rich history closely tied to the history of CN itself, in which CNPS members have been focussed on protecting people and property, and building safer, stronger communities across the network.

What began as the amalgamation of several railway companies by the Government of Canada in 1923 led to the establishment of the Department of Investigation, known as the Canadian National Railway Police. Today, the CN Police Service spans CN’s large network, operating in eight Canadian provinces and in 16 US States.

"For a century, the men and women of the CNPS have safeguarded CN’s network, built collaborative and trusted relationships with law enforcement agencies and community safety partners, and remained at the forefront of rail safety

promotion that has made a difference in saving lives.

"I would like to thank the hundreds of our members, past and present, for their dedicated service and excellence in policing that have been hallmarks of the department.

"We will help lead CN to be the safest and most secure railway in North America for the next century and beyond," said Stephen Covey, CN Chief Security Officer and Chief of Police

Retired CN police officer Marc LeBreux, whose son, Andre, is currently a CN Police Constable, has many fond memories of his time on the force.

“It was a privilege to serve,” says LeBreux.

“In the early days, my main job was to protect CN’s image, assets and interests. Community involvement was introduced later in my career and I very much enjoyed promoting rail safety at the Special Olympics and other events.

"I have CN tattooed on my heart.”

METRANS EXPANDS NETWORK TO SE EUROPE

METRANS, the rail subsidiary of Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA), is investing in the expansion of its network, particularly to South-Eastern Europe. With investments in Croatian Adria Rail and an additional terminal in Hungary, Metrans is gradually extending its high-frequency rail connection and hinterland terminal services. The company is thus sending a clear signal in support of the continued shift of road transport to the more environmentally-friendly railroad.

In March 2023, Metrans acquired a 51% stake in Croatian Adria Rail, which is not solely a rail operator but a rail transport company that also provides rail transports from the Adriatic region to Central and South-Eastern Europe.

The inland terminal in the Serbian city of Indija, near the capital Belgrade, also belongs to Adria Rail. Through its investment in Adria Rail, Metrans is now operating its first terminal in Serbia. From there, it will combine various transport options to and from South-Eastern Europe.

Metrans is also continuing to invest in Hungary. In addition to the construction of the hub terminal in Zalaegerszeg, which is already in progress, an additional terminal will be built in the Hungarian city of Szeged. Both inland terminals are scheduled to be operational by 2025.

This will allow Metrans to expand its European network to 21 inland terminals at important hubs.

Peter Kiss, CEO of the Metrans Group: “Countries in South-Eastern Europe are experiencing dynamic growth, therefore new logistics solutions are required. We want to provide climate-friendly rail transport that

efficiently connects freight flows and hubs throughout Europe. We are pleased to offer our customers an even wider range of services, with many containers already moving carbon-free by rail.”

In 2022, Metrans transported 1.4 million TEU through Europe.

The company offers its customers more than 650 regular rail connections per week. In the past year, Metrans began operations of three additional cranes in Budapest, Ceska Trebova and Dunajska Streda, which improves the carbon footprint at those terminals.

Metrans’ European network now extends from the North Sea and Baltic Sea to the Adriatic and Black Sea and is being continuously expanded: in 2022, Metrans established new connections to Gdańsk, Istanbul and Constanța.

Moreover, the company offers climate-neutral transport on all shipments from Hamburg, Bremerhaven and Koper via the HHLA Pure product.

Nearly one million standard containers were transported completely carbon-free over the past year. This represents more than half of Metrans’ entire transport volume in 2022.

By investing in modern electric locomotives and using green electricity as well as new electric cranes at the inland terminals, Metrans has been working for years to protect the climate.

The company thus supports the HHLA Group’s goal of being climate-neutral by 2040. HHLA Pure will be available for additional connections in the future.

Stockinbingal to Parkes Inland Rail early works progress with sleeper delivery

A VITAL part of the Stockinbingal to Parkes section of the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) Inland Rail project has been delivered, with nearly 4000 railway sleepers weighing a total of over 1000 tonnes arriving in Daroobalgie for a new crossing loop.

The concrete sleepers were trucked in from Bomen, New South Wales and took five days to unload using plant machinery. The sleepers, made of high-density fibre-reinforced concrete and weighing 285kg each, will lay over 2.2 km of track, along with over 277 tonnes of rail delivered last month.

The Stockinbingal to Parkes project area spans from just north of the rail junction in Stockinbingal to south of Goobang Junction in Parkes, New South Wales.

Major construction on the Stockinbingal to Parkes section is expected to begin in late 2023 and involves enhancements or modifications to specific sites along the existing rail corridor to accommodate double-stacked freight trains.

Melvyn Maylin, Inland Rail Director Programme Delivery, Albury to Parkes, said: "The crossing loop at Daroobalgie features 2.2km of new track built to the eastern side of the existing track and will include the replacement and extension of culverts to mitigate flooding on neighbouring land. The crossing loop will allow trains in opposite directions to safely pass each other.

"The Stockinbingal to Parkes project is now in the procurement and detailed design stages. During this time, we are seeking to appoint a construction contractor to finalise detailed design and construct the project.

"Early works in and around Forbes will be ongoing, including the relocation of gas and water infrastructure. ‘Inland Rail is an important project that will help Australia move more freight, enhancing the national freight rail network and making our roads safer for all’.

DHL Global Forwarding to utilise the UAE rail network

DHL Global Forwarding, the air and ocean freight specialist of Deutsche Post DHL Group, and Etihad Rail, the developer and operator of the UAE National Rail Network, have signed a strategic partnership agreement at Middle East Rail, located in Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center (ADNEC). The agreement will see the establishment of a joint venture company that will enable DHL Global Forwarding to use Etihad Rail’s network to conduct its main operations within the UAE.

Under the terms of the agreement, DHL Global Forwarding will adopt rail one of its primary modes of transportation to distribute goods throughout the UAE, via the railway network which links key industrial hubs.

The newly formed joint venture company will further strengthen the sustainable freight offering within the UAE, operating across the Etihad Rail Network. The agreement is expected to significantly reduce pressures on road transport and boost trade, commerce and logistics in the UAE, whilst also playing a key role in helping the UAE meet its environmental

to UAE

responsibility commitments.

The ambitious 20-year partnership between DHL and Etihad Rail will deliver significant benefits for businesses, optimising use of time and resources, reducing costs and more efficient asset management. Furthermore, the partnership will strengthen end-toend logistics and supply chain services for customers in the region.

DHL’s robust rail freight products offer secure and reliable transportation, and is also an environmentally friendly alternative to cargo transportation via road or air freight.

With rail considered to be one of the most sustainable modes of transport, Etihad Rail is committed to contributing to the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative, whereby the UAE National Rail Network will contribute to reducing carbon emissions in the road transport sector by 21% by 2050, and each train trip will remove up to 300 trucks off the road.

Amadou Diallo, CEO Middle East & Africa, DHL Global Forwarding, said: “The UAE’s increasing focus on infrastructural investment in the logistics sector,

and DHL Global Forwarding is excited to be part of this journey to support growing capacity requirements through rail freight.

"Our decades of expertise in rail and multimodal transport solutions, providing fast, secure, and cost-effective connections, make us the right partner to support the development of the railway industry in the UAE.”

Gottfried Eymer, CEO of Etihad Rail Freight, accentuated around the partnership: “We welcome DHL Global Forwarding as a key partner for Etihad Rail as we embark on fulfilling our ambitious targets. With freight operations operational since February, Etihad Rail is pleased to introduce further sustainable transport models within the UAE and continue to stimulate economic growth and sustained social development in the region.”

The agreement between Etihad Rail and DHL Global Forwarding is one of the largest collaborations for the transport industry and showcases the respective organisation’s commitment to the UAE’s sustainability agenda.

Shadi Malak, CEO Etihad Rail and Tim Scharwath, CEO DHL Global Forwarding

60,000 pounds of an explosive chemical disappears during rail shipment

US broadcaster NBC has reported that 60,000 pounds (27.2 tonnes) of a chemical used as both a fertilizer and an explosive is missing after likely disappearing during a rail trip on Union Pacific Railroad (UP) from Wyoming to California last month, according to federal records.

The broadcaster says a rail car carrying ammonium nitrate left a plant operated by explosives manufacturer Dyno Nobel in Cheyenne, Wyoming, on April 12.

This date was in an incident report filed May 10 by a representative of the company with the National Response Center.

The report states the chemical was released "due to an unknown cause," says NBC. and was discovered missing after the rail car arrived in Saltdale, California, an unincorporated community more than 1000 miles from Cheyenne.

At the time of the report, the car was empty and on its way back to Wyoming, according to the company. Ironically, in April UP announced that Dyno Nobel was one of 95 companies awarded the 2022 Pinnacle Award for their dedication and commitment to safely transporting chemicals by rail.

The annual award honours UP customers who implement release prevention protocols, corrective action plans and have zero non-accident releases of regulated hazardous materials shipments.

Demand returns for the Rolling Highway after the pandemic

SINCE Q4 2022, the demand to transport lorries on the Rolling Highway between Freiburg, Germany and Novara, Italy has returned to pre-pandemic levels. The task now is to secure the future of this still important modal shift product until the end of 2028, in order to prevent a shift back of heavy goods vehicles onto the road.

A restrictive decree by the Italian government prevented RAlpin from loading trucks onto the railway in the first quarter of 2022 if the lorry drivers were not fully vaccinated against COVID-19. This resulted in a loss of 5,600 shipments. Nevertheless, almost 72,000 lorries (compared with almost 69,000 in the previous year) were able to cross Switzerland by rail instead of road last year thanks to the RAlpin service, saving the environment 24,660 tons of CO².

This pleasing demand persisted in the first months of 2023. The target agreed with the federal government of transporting around 80,000 lorries a year on the Rolling Highway is realistic. The political decision-making process for the continuation of the Rolling Highway from 2024 is challenging: RAlpin has proposed to the federal government that the product be discontinued at the end of 2028.

By then, the conditions will be in place for a significant proportion of the lorries currently being transported to switch to unaccompanied combined transport. For financial policy reasons, the Federal Council came to the conclusion in September 2022 that the Rolling Highway should be ordered only until the end of 2026.

The cessation of operations would fall in the middle of the reconstruction phase of the No-

vara terminal. During this phase, unaccompanied combined transport capacity will be reduced by 100,000 consignments per year. This would mean a capacity shortfall of 180,000 in the area west of Milan in the years 2026 to 2027.

Freight-forwarding companies will have to make these journeys through the Alps by road again.

The Rolling Highway uses its own terminal in the immediate vicinity, which is not affected by the conversion and can at least partially absorb the volume that will be lost.

Between 2026 and 2028, it will thus make an important, useful contribution to avoiding the shift of heavy goods traffic back onto transalpine road links through Switzerland.

The shareholders of RAlpin are BLS AG, Hupac SA and SBB AG.

A second life for railroad ties

IN recent years, the issue of finding environmentally responsible solutions for managing waste has gained significant attention. One such concern revolves around the disposal of used creosote-treated railroad ties (sleepers), which have historically posed a challenge due to their toxic nature.

However, an encouraging development is underway in the United States as governmental bodies and environmental organisations explore innovative ways to repurpose these discarded materials.

Creosote, a hazardous material used to treat wooden railroad ties, has been widely used in the railroad industry for its preservative properties. However, this practice has resulted in vast quantities of used ties requiring proper disposal. Creosote can leach into the soil and water, posing risks to ecosystem.

Recognising the urgency to address this environmental concern, governmental bodies have taken action. The recent issuance of a Request for Information (RfI) signals an intent to identify and explore potential uses for used creosote-treated railroad ties. This call seeks innovative ideas and suggestions from experts, stakeholders, and concerned citizens alike to find sustainable alternatives to landfill or incinerating these materials.

Exploring repurposing possibilities:

The RfI presents an opportunity for forward-thinking individuals and organisations to contribute to the search for viable options. Several promising avenues have already emerged, showcasing the potential to transform this environmental liability into a valuable resource.

One application can be the use of creosote-treated railroad ties in the construction industry. With appropriate processing and treatment, these ties can be repurposed for various infrastructure projects, such as landscaping, retaining walls,or even architectural designs.

Another avenue being explored is utilising creosote-treated railroad ties as a biomass fuel source. Through advanced technologies like gasification or pyrolysis, the energy content of these ties can be har-

nessed to produce electricity, heat, or biofuels. This approach not only addresses the waste issue but also contributes to the renewable energy sector.

Artistic and decorative dpplications:

Used creosote-treated railroad ties possess a distinct aesthetic appeal due to their weathered appearance and unique patterns. Craftsmen and designers are exploring ways to incorporate these ties into sculptures, furniture, and other decorative pieces. This repurposing avenue not only reduces waste but also adds a touch of character and history to artistic creations.

The successful repurposing of used creosote-treated railroad ties would bring about numerous advantages. First and foremost, it would prevent the release of hazardous chemicals into the environment, safeguarding ecosystems and human health. Additionally, repurposing offers a more sustainable waste management strategy, reducing the strain on landfills and lowering the need for raw materials. Moreover, the development of new industries and markets surrounding repurposed ties can stimulate economic growth and create job opportunities.

Sustainable solutions

The search for sustainable solutions to repurpose used creosote-treated railroad ties is gaining momentum,. The Request for Information serves as a call to action, inviting innovative ideas and contributions from various stakeholders. By exploring alternative applications such as construction materials, renewable energy generation, and artistic endeavors, we can transform a longstanding environmental challenge into a valuable resource, benefiting both our planet and our communities, The time to envision a future where discarded railroad ties find new purpose is now

LOCO RENAMING MARKS HENDY'S ELEVATION TO THE HOUSE OF LORDS

AT a ceremony held at London Waterloo station on May 24, GB Railfreight officially renamed a Class 66 locomotive #66718 from Sir Peter Hendy CBE to Peter, Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill, of Imber in the County of Wiltshire. The renaming event was organised to commemorate Lord Hendy's recent appointment to the UK's House of Lords, which had been announced in the latter part of last year.

Lord Hendy has played a prominent role in the transportation sector for an extended period. He currently serves as the Chair of Network Rail, following his

prior position as Commissioner for Transport for London, in addition to holding various other high-ranking positions across the industry.

Prior to the train's departure to Richmond, a photo opportunity took place after John Smith, the CEO of GB Railfreight, delivered a presentation to Lord Hendy.

Reflecting on the occasion, John Smith, CEO of GB Railfreight, expressed: "Nearly a decade ago, we unveiled the locomotive named 'Sir Peter Hendy' at Victoria Station. Today, at Waterloo Station, I take immense pride in renaming this locomotive as 'Peter, Lord Hendy

of Richmond Hill, of Imber in the County of Wiltshire.' This serves as a tribute to Lord Hendy's appointment to the House of Lords, which is a well-deserved recognition for his lifelong dedication to the transport industry."

Incredible individuals

In response, Peter, Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill, of Imber in the County of Wiltshire, remarked: "While my name adorns this locomotive, it is essential to ac-

knowledge that one never achieves success in life without the incredible individuals who work alongside them. The railway sector is a remarkable place to work, where people invest tremendous effort every single day. This honoUr is not solely mine; it is a testament to the thousands and thousands of individuals who contribute so significantly on a daily basis."

The House of Lords is the second chamber of UK Parliament. It plays a crucial role in examining bills, questioning government action and investigating public policy.

RAILPOOL AND GIC EXPAND

RAILPOOL, one of Europe's leading electric locomotive leasing companies, has announced that GIC, a global institutional investor, has acquired an additional 27% stake in the company from co-owner Palladio Partners.

This transaction will make GIC the majority/shareholder of Railpool.

Established in 2008, Railpool has experienced remarkable organic growth since GIC's initial investment in 2016. The company has expanded its business areas, including providing passenger cars for FlixTrain, and has successfully complet-

ed significant acquisitions such as LocoItalia and workshop takeovers. Railpool's locomotive fleet operates on a full-service leasing model and is entirely electric, reflecting the company's commitment to sustainability.

Torsten Lehnert, CEO of Railpool, expressed enthusiasm for the continued partnership with GIC and Palladio Partners, crediting their instrumental roles in delivering sustainable traction to rail operators across Europe. The collaboration has significantly increased Railpool's economic presence throughout the region.

EXPAND PARTNERSHIP

Ingo Wurzer, CFO of Railpool, emphasised the support provided by GIC and Palladio Partners in facilitating the company's growth. With the new ownership structure, Railpool aims to continue expanding its operations.

Ang Eng Seng, CIO of Infrastructure at GIC, highlighted Railpool's strong business performance and substantial fleet expansion since GIC's initial investment.

Eng Seng expects the growth in locomotive leasing to persist, driven by the ongoing replacement of owned locomotives with leased ones and the shift from road to rail transpor-

tation. GIC is eager to work closely with Palladio Partners and Railpool's management team to propel the company into its next phase of growth.

Dr Bernd Kreuter, Managing Partner at Palladio Partners, expressed pride in supporting Railpool's growth trajectory in recent years and conveyed excitement about the continued collaboration with GIC and Railpool.

Overall, Railpool's strategic partnerships and focus on sustainable traction position the company well for continued success and growth in the European rail leasing industry.

UP BUILDING A GREEN FUTURE ONE REPORT AT A TIME

UNION Pacific Railroad has revealed its annual Building America Report, which encompasses the railroad's unwavering progress towards its safety, sustainability, corporate accountability, and community engagement goals. As part of its resolute commitment to corporate transparency, the report meticulously tracks the headway made to address Union Pacific stakeholders' most crucial issues, as identified in its 2021 materiality assessment.

"This report exemplifies our relentless pursuit of the goals outlined in our Building a Sustainable Future 2030 strategy and upholds our unwavering dedication to transparent communication," declared Chairman, President, and CEO Lance Fritz. "By placing our stakeholders at the very core of our decision-making process, we can unearth the optimal solutions, empower our customers to accomplish their objectives, and fortify the bonds with the communities where our employees reside and operate."

Through its comprehensive approach to safe train operations, facilitated by cutting-edge technology, 1.5 million hours of top-notch training for its workforce and advanced maintenance methodologies, Union Pacific has elevated key safety metrics in 2022. Notably, derailments on Union Pacific decreased by a remarkable 21% compared to 2019.

In tandem with its safety endeavours, Union Pacific invested a staggering $1.9 billion in its infrastructure to ensure consistent and reliable service. In 2022 alone, the company installed almost four million new rail ties and undertook the replacement, resurfacing, or expansion of over 20,000 track miles, affirming its unwavering commitment to constructing

a safer and more efficient railroad.

As technology assumes an increasingly pivotal role in Union Pacific's operations, the preservation of its systems and data security has gained paramount importance. Implementing a trailblazing qualitative cybersecurity risk management process, the railroad has safeguarded its operations against potential cyber threats or attacks, resulting in no significant disruptions to date.

The report further emphasises how Union Pacific's substantial investment of $24.1 million in the community has reached an impressive 2,500 non-profit organisations in 2022. These contributions have facilitated the development and improvement of community spaces, workforce training, safety enhancement, and environmental advancement.

"The Building America Report meticulously tracks our progress across vital sustainability categories, and we take great pride in our accomplishments," stated Beth Whited, Executive Vice President of Sustainability and Strategy, and Chief Human Resources Officer. "At Union Pacific, sustainability is seamlessly integrated into our company processes, objectives and culture, as well as the proactive measures we are currently undertaking will pave the way for a more sustainable world for our workforce, customers and communities."

The Building America Report, in conjunction with UP's Climate Action Plan, We Are One Report, Proxy Statement, and other communications, ensures that its stakeholders remain informed about the progress towards its sustainability objectives and the company's trajectory for the future.

PSC Group acquires Steel Line Rail Services

PSC Group (PSC), a North American leader in product handling, site logistics, railcar repair, and sustainability services for the petrochemical, refining, and marine industries, has acquired the assets of Steel Line Rail Services. Steel Line Rail is a leading provider of mobile railcar repair, inspection, and valve maintenance services for the petrochemical, refining, and railcar leasing industries throughout the United States and Mexico.

Steel Line Rail founded in 2018 as a mobile repair and inspection company in Marshall, Texas. Over the past five years, the company expanded its service offerings to include mobile railcar repair service across the continental United States, AAR certifications, and an in-house valve shop for repair, testing, and certification of tank car valves.

Mobile railcar repair

PSC CEO Joel Dickerson expressed great pleasure in welcoming the Steel Line Rail team to the PSC family. He stated: "Their depth of experience, reputation for excellent service, and expanded scope of services and geographic reach will enable us to more effectively meet growing industry needs. We look forward to working with them to deliver safe and efficient mobile railcar repair, inspection, and valve maintenance services across the US, Mexico, and Canada."

Micheal Henigan, the founder and president of Steel Line Rail, will join PSC's railcar repair leadership team. PSC SVP of Corporate Development Houston

Haymon stated: "Micheal, a 33-year industry veteran, has a long history of delivering excellent safety, quality, and customer service in the railcar repair and inspection industry. Since founding Steel Line Rail, Micheal has quickly expanded the business into a trusted partner for railroad operators across the country. This transaction adds critical new work scopes to our portfolio of repair service offerings, bringing mobile repair, inspection, and valve shop capabilities."

Henigan expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership with PSC, saying: "From the start of the discussions with PSC's leadership, I could tell our cultures were aligned. By working together, we can grow, better serve our customers, and create great career opportunities for our employees. PSC is the right partner for Steel Line Rail, and this is a clear win-win-win for our customers, for Steel Line Rail, and for PSC."

This acquisition marks PSC Group's fifth completed acquisition since partnering with Aurora in 2019, including Prokar, Inc., Fryoux Tankerman Service, Akrotex Extrusion, and Thermoplastics Services, Inc. The company also recently announced the opening of its Advanced Recycling Facility in Baytown, Texas.

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