EU Commission paves the way for dual-use of rail infrastructure

Symbolic picture by Julien Goettelmann on Unsplash

The European Commission has adopted new legislation allowing personnel carriages to be integrated into freight trains, enabling them to travel with their equipment and ammunition across Europe’s main rail networks.

The legislation is the first set of uniform rail design standards for dual-use, defence, and security capabilities, as outlined in the White Paper for European Defence and the Preparedness Union Strategy.

The Commission also provides specifications for compatibility between rail vehicles and trackside train detection systems, ensuring safety and interoperability with rail infrastructure. This unique authorisation for EU-wide “go-everywhere” carriages can be used for civil protection, disaster response, and railroad network activities.

Sources:

European Commission 

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/675 of 4 April 2025 amending Regulation (EU) No 1302/2014 concerning a technical specification for interoperability relating to the rolling stock — locomotives and passenger rolling stock subsystem of the rail system in the European Union and Implementing Decision 2011/665/EU on the register of authorised types of railway vehicles 

Binario Italia – task force towards improving the railfreight sector

Symbolic picture by Silberkugel66 on Pixabay

The “Binario Italia” task force has been launched as an initiative to promote joint action towards Italian institutions, including the drafting of a joint paper to encourage the relaunch of the rail logistics sector in the short and long term.  Over 400 Italian companies, representing various realities of the rail freight transport sector, support the initiative. The logistics and rail freight sector is a strategic lever for the competitiveness of the national and European production system, with each kilometre travelled by a goods train resulting in a saving of around €15.30 compared to the road alternative.

The initiative was signed at the National Council for Economy and Labour (CNEL) Headquarters in Rome by:

• Sabrina De Filippis, Vice-President of Agens with responsibility for Italian and European policies on freight transport
• Armando De Girolamo,President of Assoferr
• Umberto Ruggerone, President of Assologistica
• Mauro Pessano, President of Fercargo
• Clemente Carta, President of Fermerci

However, the sector suffers from a structural competitive gap compared to other forms of transport, resulting from higher operating expenses, lower margins, and different infrastructure characteristics. The task force aims to transform the sector’s current fragile condition into a relaunch aimed at stability, efficiency, and competitiveness, requiring targeted interventions and coordinated commitment with institutions and all players involved.

Source(in Italian): 

Agens.it 

Deutsche Bahn pauses planning for three major projects

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Deutsche Bahn is halting plans for three major European rail transport projects, including the Brenner Northern Access Route, Mannheim-Frankfurt line, and section 7B of the Basel-Karlsruhe expansion.

DB InfraGO’s 2025 annual plan announces a ‘hold’ on project planning due to uncertain financing. However, Germany has made an international commitment to create suitable connections for the Gotthard Base Tunnel and the Brenner Base Tunnel.

The Brenner Northern Access Route is currently the subject of parliamentary deliberations, and the federal government will jointly make decisions on other projects.

Source(in German):

Schiene.de