On this page, the element "Trains" is introduced. We will discuss different types of trains and traffic volumes. In addition, we will show you, in which different ways trains are operating. 

• Type E: Open Top Freight Wagon
  • 2-axle and 4-axle
  • open, solid, high-resistance box wagon 
  • The wagon can be loaded from the top using mechanized loading devices.
  • This freight wagon is designed for the transport of weather-resisting bulk materials: Coal, ore, crushed rocks, etc. 
• Type F: Open Hopper Wagon (Bulk freight wagon)
  • The wagon takes advantage of gravity to unload its contents through two pairs of bottom doors.  
  •  The self-unloading wagon is designed to transport sand, stone and other aggregate materials.
• Type H: High Capacity Sliding Wall Wagon
  • A wagon with sliding walls, which permits easy side loading and unloading with forklifts.
  • The wagon is best suited to transport paper coils, cellulose, sawn timber, sheets of plywood and goods on palettes.
• Type K: 2-axle Flat Wagon
  • The wagon can be loaded and unloaded from the top and via side ramps.
  • Materials can be protected against the weather by a waterproof tarpaulin. 
• Type R: 4-axle bogie flat wagon
  • This freight wagon is designed for the transport of heavy loads of packaged materials or long loads, such as steel pipes, profiles or lumber.
• Type S: 6-axle bogie flat wagon
  • This freight wagon is particularly for heavy loads.
• Type T: Covered Hopper Wagon (Bulk freight wagon)
  • The wagon with swivel or roll roof and sidewall doors for heavy cargo.
• Type T: Wagon with opening roof
  • This freight wagon is particularly suitable for weather-sensitive goods.
• Type U: Tank wagon for forced air pressure discharge
  • This freight wagon is specifically for the transport of powdery, granular goods.
• Type Z: Tank wagon 
  • This freight wagon is for the transport of liquids and gases.
• Type L: Car Carrier Wagon
  • This freight wagon is designed to transport automobiles and vans.
• Combined Transport
  • Large containers and swap bodies

 

Traffic

• For safety reasons, railway lines are divided into sections known as blocks.
• Normally, only one train is permitted in each block at a time.
• The train length influences the block allocation. 
• The permissible maximum (total) train length is 740 metres; this corresponds to about 35 wagons (railcar length of 700 metres without driven head unit) and/or
• a regular train has a maximum of 250 axes. Under certain conditions it is up to 252 axes or/and
• the maximum permissible axle load is 22.5 t and/or the towing weight is 2,500 t.

• Bulk freight trains with special operational treatment up to 5,000 t.
• November 2008: For the first time, a 1,000 m freight train ran between Oberhausen and Rotterdam (Betuwe Route in the Netherlands only for freight trains).
• 2012: Freight trains between Padborg (DK) and Maschen (GER) with a length of 835 m (40 wagons), expanded 2016 to the Port of Hamburg (Hohe Schaar).
• In order to operate a train that exceeds the normal dimensions, some adjustments of infrastructure and operations are required:
  • extension of passing tracks
  • adjustment of control and safety technology
  • extension of block sections

 

• Rhine Graben:  ARA-ports-Duisburg-Koblenz-Mainz-Mannheim-Karlsruhe-Basel
• North-south route:  Hamburg-Hanover-Fulda-Würzburg-Munich-Brenner  (incl. Würzburg-Nuremberg-Passau-Vienna)

• Block trains are the fastest product in the rail system because of the comparatively short transport times without stopping at the marshalling yard.
• The organization of block trains is less complex.
• The coordination of departure and arrival times of block trains is more flexible.

• DB Cargo AG: 
  • DBplantrain is planning the transport requirements a long time in advance, leading to a cost-effective planning. It regularly transports large volumes on fixed routes for fixed transport dates and times. 
  • DBflextrain arranges transport volumes, connections and operating times at short notice, offering a last-minute block train. Customers have maximum flexibility upon order placement.   
• NYK Line Amsterdam-Duisburg: 
  • 80 TEU capacity per train, 6 trains per week (NYK Line)
  • Transit time: Amsterdam - Duisburg in 7 hours 
• Trans-Sibirian container train for BMW: 
  • Regular since 2011, this new transport product enables shorter transport durations for 10,000 -12,000 km of 14-16 days. Compared to maritime transport, only half the time is needed.  
  • 75% cost advantages in comparison to air transport, but 50% above costs for maritime transport.
  • 400 trains with 35,000 containers in 2015
  • Use of customer specific trains as "dedicated company trains“
  • E.g. Trans-Siberian container train for BMW from Leipzig to Shenyang 

• available at short notice
• full network coverage in Europe
• flexible management of freight wagon loading and unloading processes

• accompanied combined transport („Rollende Landstraße“ / „rolling highway“)
• unaccompanied combined transport