News from the world rail freight market.
Crossrail Benelux has been rebranded as BLS Cargo Nord from September 1, when all companies in the BLS Cargo Group will be united under the BLS Cargo name.
Wagon pooling company TTX has joined the RailPulse Coalition which is working to encourage the widespread adoption of telematics and data standardisation in the North American rail freight market. ‘We envision a future where real-time data enhances everything from maintenance operations to the customer experience and we’re proud to help lead that evolution in collaboration with RailPulse’, said TTX EVP Marty Thomas on August 25. ‘The integration of TTX’s shared fleet model with RailPulse’s telematics platform is a game changer’, said David Shannon, General Manager of RailPulse. ‘Together, we can align operational scale with data intelligence, accelerating our vision of a modernised, customer-centric rail network that is safer, more efficient and competitive.’
Neill & Brown and Sogedim have acquired Huckepack trailers to provide intermodal transport between the UK and Italy, travelling by road to Hull’s ferry port, by sea to Zeebrugge and then rail to Italy. ‘It is a major investment in an efficient and reliable mode of transport to and from one of our most popular destinations’, Neill & Brown’s logistics director Carl Andrew said on August 18, ‘By taking advantage of the existing rail freight infrastructure on the UK – Italy route, we can now provide more choice to our customers, who are increasingly looking for less carbon intensive haulage.’
Privately short line and regional railway holding company Rio Grande Pacific Corp has announced ‘enthusiastic support’ for the proposed merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern. ‘The proposed merger represents a reasoned and logical step forward for the national rail system’, Chairman & CEO Richard Bertel said on August 26. ’The combined network should unlock efficiencies that benefit all stakeholders — from large and small shippers, communities and consumers, and railroads and logistics providers. Rio Grande Pacific looks forward to collaborating with the newly combined railroad to help our shippers capitalise on new routing options, new potential markets and growing service enhancements.’
KiwiRail formally concluded the iReX ferry replacement project on August 14, when it reached a full and final settlement with Hyundai Mipo Dockyard to exit contracts for two rail-enabled ferries that had been signed in 2021. The final cost was NZ$671m, comprising NZ$449m spent on landside infrastructure, project management and wind-down costs, and NZ$222m paid to HMD. New train ferries are again being sought, with delivery planned for 2029.
US short line and freight services group Patriot Rail has announced a ‘refreshed’ brand ‘reflecting the company’s recent transition from growth partner to growth generator’. It explained: ‘forward motion propels the new brand mark: the curve of the ‘P’ symbolizes Patriot’s commitment to first mile/last mile connectivity for customers, while the steps resembling railroad ties represent steppingstones to the future, all unified through forward-leaning letters.’
The US Short Line Safety Institute has promoted Dr Julia Leone to Assistant Director, Research & Organizational Development. In her newly expanded role, Dr Leone will lead efforts to continually improve delivery processes and outcomes for all of SLSI’s programmes in addition to leading the research efforts of the SLSI.
Union Pacific has added 15 more Focus Sites across eight US states to its network, with 12 located on short line railroads. UP’s Focus Sites are large-scale development sites suited for custom-built warehouses or industrial facilities where it can concentrate resources, effectively manage logistics and provide targeted services for its customers.
