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French railway tests EU's longest ever freight train - 1,500 metres
FRANCE's Fret SNCF has successfully tested Europe's longest ever freight train - measuring 1,500 metres by coupling two 750-metre trains totalling 70 rail cars over a 240 kilometres between yards serving Lyon and Nimes, reports Lloyd's Loading List.
Average long freights elsewhere average nearly 2,000 metres, made possible with distributed-power units or additional engines between long chains of cars.
In Canada, double-stack container trains of 4,200 metres are regularly operated by the Canadian National Railway with distributed power locomotives. General cargo trains are limited to 3,700 metres.
The SNC "double" train was carrying swap bodies on behalf of Frankfurt-based intermodal transport Kombiverkehr between Spain and Germany. reported Lloyd's Loading List.
"The technical prowess which lengthening trains will allow rail companies to capture traffic without applying for extra train slots. The double trains will also enable operators to achieve productivity gains," said Fret SNCF.
The test was part of the EU's research and development programme, Marathon and was designed to validate the technical feasibility of the double train ahead of a possible commercial launch in 2016.
"In taking this approach, we are looking to strengthen the competitiveness of rail freight and render it more attractive to French and European shippers," said Fret SNCF director Sylvie Charles.
The train used a head engine manned by a driver together with a driverless locomotive in the middle of the train.
Average long freights elsewhere average nearly 2,000 metres, made possible with distributed-power units or additional engines between long chains of cars.
In Canada, double-stack container trains of 4,200 metres are regularly operated by the Canadian National Railway with distributed power locomotives. General cargo trains are limited to 3,700 metres.
The SNC "double" train was carrying swap bodies on behalf of Frankfurt-based intermodal transport Kombiverkehr between Spain and Germany. reported Lloyd's Loading List.
"The technical prowess which lengthening trains will allow rail companies to capture traffic without applying for extra train slots. The double trains will also enable operators to achieve productivity gains," said Fret SNCF.
The test was part of the EU's research and development programme, Marathon and was designed to validate the technical feasibility of the double train ahead of a possible commercial launch in 2016.
"In taking this approach, we are looking to strengthen the competitiveness of rail freight and render it more attractive to French and European shippers," said Fret SNCF director Sylvie Charles.
The train used a head engine manned by a driver together with a driverless locomotive in the middle of the train.
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