TX Logistik and the Dutch heavy haul specialist Van der Vlist have taken a step towards making rail freight more flexible and scalable. The partners launched a new solution enabling oversized cargo to move on regular intermodal trains.
The first shipment handled by TX Logistik and Van der Vlist included two aerial work platforms, which were loaded at the Quadranta Europa terminal in Verona. They made their way to Rostock in Germany via the railways on a regular intermodal train, eliminating the need for more complex planning.
This is made possible by Van der Vlist’s bolster system, a special rail platform on which large-scale machinery such as excavators, aerial platforms or agricultural equipment incompatible with containers are lashed down and secured for loading onto the wagon. It can be seamlessly integrated into standard piggyback operations, TX Logistik says.
Sabrina de Filippis, CEO at TX Logistik’s parent company FS Logistix, sees several clear benefits in this new way of working. “This solution opens up new opportunities for customers seeking a more flexible and dependable way to transport oversized cargo by rail.”
“By combining the technical solutions developed by TX Logistik and FS Logistix with Van der Vlist’s expertise in heavy and special transport, we are able to offer customers robust, scalable rail solutions that simplify planning while ensuring high operational reliability across international corridors”, de Filippis added.
Enhanced reliability in coordination with DB InfraGO
TX Logistik explains that it received approval to transport oversized cargo using the so-called large intermodal profile in close coordination with the German rail infrastructure manager DB InfraGO. It allows the company to transport freight up to 2,990 millimetres wide on a regular intermodal train within the P400 loading gauge. This approach ensures higher reliability, as trains can be easily rerouted in case of disruptions without requiring new route authorisations, TX Logistik clarifies.
After reaching Rostock, the oversized cargo continued to its final destination in central Sweden. It crossed to Trelleborg by ferry, after which trucks took over. In the future, TX Logistik wants to take over that last leg and transport the oversized cargo via Swedish rail too. Together with Van der Vlist, it is also looking to expand their model to other corridors.