The first test train loaded with semi-trailers between Huelva and Córdoba, in southwestern Spain, will start its journey tomorrow, 22 July. “This round-trip service will demonstrate the route’s suitability for rail highway operations, paving the way for future connections with Madrid and Zaragoza”, said Ewals Cargo Care.
In addition to Ewals, the initiative sees the involvement of VTG, which will provide the wagons (as it already does for the Valencia-Portugal service). The rolling stock lessor recently trained personnel at the port of Huelva on how to use the r2L technology to place the semi-trailers onto the railways.
For its part, the Huelva Port Authority invested 7.7 million euros at the beginning of last year to expand one of its rail terminals and add one track for this type of traffic.
Recent developments
The start of tests along the Huelva-Córdoba is not the only step towards more rail highway services in Spain. A couple of weeks ago, there were concrete developments in the Basque Countries. More specifically, Italian forwarder TransItalia is working with Adif to assess whether connections from Valencia and Barcelona to Júndiz and Noáin.
