Spain launches reopening feasibility study for trans-Pyrenees railway

The Spanish transport ministry is putting out a tender for a feasibility study for the reopening of the Pau-Canfranc rail line between France and Spain, as well as a direct connection of the line with the Mediterranean Corridor. The study is supposed to research the effect of the infrastructure plans on the circulation of goods…

French region eyes six-fold increase in rail freight via targeted investment

France’s Brittany region plans to increase its rail freight traffic six-fold by 2050, reaching nine million tonnes of goods transported. To achieve this, the regional public authority, the French State and rail network manager SNCF Réseau are implementing a multi-year investment programme until 2027, totalling 64 million euros. It compares to a previous rail freight…

Open Modal commission state-of-the-art combi terminal near Marseille

France’s Open Modal Group has announced the commissioning of a state-of-the-art intermodal terminal for swap bodies and containers in Miramas, on the outskirts of Marseille. The terminal has attracted public and private investment estimated at almost 40 million euros. “The Terminal Ouest Provence (TOP Terminal) is the fruit of five years of hard work, commented…

Rail returns to Stellantis auto plant in northern France

After a long absence of 13 years, rail is returning to the Stellantis car factory in Hordain in northern France. While Stellantis has long relied on road haulage, the covid pandemic threw a spanner in the works and forced the car manufacturer to reconsider its transport options. Train services at the Stellantis plant in Hordain…