The Swedish Transport Administration and APM Terminals at the Port of Gothenburg conduct trials with a 730-metre freight train
The Swedish Transport Administration and APM Terminals at the Port of Gothenburg are conducting trials with a 730-metre freight train. The first trial took place on Thursday from Örebro to the container terminal at the Port of Gothenburg. By the end of the year, the terminal will be able to receive 730-metre trains on a daily basis, Port of Gothenburg said in its press release.
On Thursday, a 730-metre freight train travelled for the first time on the Western Main Line from Örebro to Gothenburg. The journey was a trial run by the Swedish Transport Administration to the container terminal at the Port of Gothenburg.
Keld Pedersen, CEO at APM Terminals, said: "Operating long trains enhances the competitiveness of rail transport. It allows rail operators to increase load capacity by at least 15 per cent. Yesterday's trial was a preview of how things will work once we are fully geared up to receive the longest trains in Sweden here at the terminal."
At the Swedish Transport Administration the sights are firmly set on receiving more long trains to meet the needs and wishes of the transport industry.
Micael Thunborg, market developer at the Swedish Transport Administration, said: "The challenge lies in designing a stable timetable and a stable rail situation where passenger traffic is not impeded by slower freight trains. This is particularly sensitive of course during the daytime and we are extremely pleased that yesterday's trial proved so successful."
TMRail was entrusted with operative responsibility for the trial run from Örebro to the port in Gothenburg. The maximum speed was 100 km per hour.
Tommy Jonsson, sales manager at TMRail, said: "It worked extremely well. Being able to use a 730-metre, fully loaded train is incredibly efficient. We can carry an extra 16 containers on each train compared with the 630-metre version. By increasing the volume on each train we can provide our customers with better and more rapid service."
This rail initiative is part of the APM Terminals plan to invest more than SEK 800 million through to 2016. In addition to extended tracks within the terminal, the initiative includes the addition of a sixth track and two new rail cranes. Overall, this will raise capacity at the APM Terminals multi-track loading and unloading facility by as much as 50 per cent by the end of the year, which is when the planned rail investments are expected to be fully implemented.