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🚇 Maglev is transforming rail world

SNCF is testing a portable solar power; One euro to stabilize local rail service

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RailPulse Tech
February 13, 2025

🚀 Hello, SNCF is testing a portable solar power plant on unused tracks, aiming for 1,000 MW of solar capacity by 2030. CER urges fair access to affordable, clean electricity to support rail’s role in EU decarbonization amidst rising energy costs.

Meanwhile, Nahverkehr Westfalen-Lippe (NWL) acquired Eurobahn for one euro to stabilize local rail services in Westfalen, addressing operational challenges while seeking a new investor by 2027.

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SNCF

☀️ SNCF Tests Prototype Solar Plant on Unused Railway Tracks
The French railway operator SNCF has begun testing a portable solar power plant prototype on unused railway tracks, as part of its Solveig project to harness solar energy on non-operational land, with plans to install 1,000MWp of ground-based solar capacity by 2030. The prototype uses eight solar panels mounted on tracks and is designed for flexible, temporary energy generation, with the potential for wider deployment across Europe.

🌋 CER Calls for Support to Sustain Rail’s Role in Affordable, Clean Energy Transition
The Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER) has endorsed the European Commission's focus on electrification and shared key insights for the upcoming Affordable Energy Prices Action Plan. While 56.9% of EU railway lines are electrified, the sector faces significant challenges due to rising energy prices, with electricity costs for rail traction more than double pre-crisis levels. CER urges the plan to ensure fair access to affordable, clean electricity through long-term contracts, Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), and fair energy taxation. It also calls for the promotion of best energy procurement practices and prioritizing renewable sources for rail. Additional support measures, including tax incentives and state aid, are essential to prevent a reverse modal shift to road transport and to help the railway sector remain competitive while contributing to EU decarbonization targets.

💶 NWL Acquires Eurobahn for One Euro
The German operator association Nahverkehr Westfalen-Lippe (NWL) has agreed to acquire Eurobahn for a symbolic sum of one euro to stabilize local rail services and address operational challenges, such as train cancellations and staffing shortages, while searching for a new investor by 2027.

Regional Highlights

Europe:

  • 🥐 Eurostar, in partnership with EuroPass and PayXpert, has launched a WeChat mini-program enabling seamless ticket purchases for Chinese travelers, integrating WeChat Pay to tap into a growing market.

  • 🇬🇧 As part of the Great British Railways rollout, the UK government will launch a unified rail ticketing website by late 2026, simplifying ticket sales while maintaining competition with private platforms like Trainline.

  • 🇫🇷 Akiem has placed a firm order for 30 Newag Dragon-2 locomotives to support the growing railway market in Central Europe, contributing to both regional development and the ecological transition of transport.

  • 🥨 CargoBeamer has secured EUR 205 million in growth capital to build new intermodal terminals in Germany and Italy, advancing its mission to shift freight transport from road to rail and significantly reduce carbon emissions.

  • 🚲 Denmark is replacing old diesel trains with new battery-electric trains on the West Jutland railway line to reduce emissions and enhance sustainability, starting with a 67-kilometer stretch between Skjern and Holstebro.

  • 🇷🇸 Serbia is modernizing its rail freight services with the procurement of new diesel locomotives, supported by a EUR 43 million EBRD investment to enhance logistics efficiency and infrastructure.

  • 🇩🇪 A factory in Görlitz, Germany, previously producing trains, will shift to military equipment production under new owner KNDS, including components for tanks and armored vehicles, with the transition expected to be completed by 2027.

  • 🇫🇮 The electrification of the Hyvinkää–Hanko railway boosts freight efficiency, reduces emissions, and enhances logistics by enabling seamless, fossil-free electric transport on the route.

Aisa:

  • 🇮🇳 Sensonic successfully implemented an elephant detection system for Indian Railways on the East Coast, using fiber optics to detect elephants in real-time and prevent potential train-animal collisions, with the system already identifying herds and lone elephants in key corridors.

  • 🇨🇳 China is investing USD 2.15 billion to build a 282-kilometer railway between Tanzania and Burundi, enhancing mineral transportation and regional

  • 🇹🇭 Thailand's government has approved the second phase of a high-speed railway project, a 357-kilometer section connecting Nakhon Ratchasima and Nong Khai on the Laos border, with construction expected to be completed by 2030.

North America:

  • 🇺🇸 A USD 20 million RAISE grant funds a key rail-roadway grade separation project at the Port of Los Angeles, improving cargo flow, reducing congestion, and supporting US trade while boosting efficiency and cutting emissions.

Maglev Technology

Unsplash/Suzi Kim

🚇 The Future of High-Speed Rail

Magnetic levitation (maglev) is transforming rail transport by enabling trains to travel at ultra-high speeds without physical contact with tracks. Using powerful electromagnets, maglev trains glide smoothly above the rails, reducing friction, noise, and maintenance costs.

Key Benefits

Speeds exceeding 600 km/h, cutting travel times dramatically. Up to 30% lower maintenance costs due to reduced wear and tear. Eco-friendly with lower energy consumption and zero direct emissions.

Real-World Examples:

  • Japan: The Chuo Shinkansen maglev is set to connect Tokyo and Nagoya in just 40 minutes by 2027.

  • China: The Shanghai Maglev Train, operational since 2004, reaches speeds of 431 km/h.

  • Germany: Ongoing research into maglev’s integration with existing infrastructure to expand high-speed networks.

Why It Matters 

Maglev technology offers a faster, cleaner, and more efficient alternative to traditional rail. Despite high infrastructure costs, continued innovation—including potential integration with hyperloop systems - positions maglev as a key player in the future of sustainable, high-speed transport.

Stat of the Week

  • China-Vietnam rail freight saw a dramatic 760% increase in January, with Guangxi province exporting 3,062 TEUs, highlighting growing trade and enhanced logistics efficiency.

  • Switzerland's FLIRT Evo electric trains, part of a CHF 2 billion contract for up to 510 units, will replace outdated models and enhance passenger comfort on RegionAlps' network, which serves 11.3 million passengers annually.

  • Siemens Mobility is rolling out 31 Mireo Plus B battery trains in Berlin Brandenburg, following a similar deployment in Ortenau, Germany, and an upcoming expansion in Denmark, demonstrating cost-effective, greener rail transport that could save the UK GBP 3.5 billion over 35 years while cutting diesel emissions by 1.8 million liters annually.

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Spotlight on Influential Voices

  • Lasse Stolley is a young German digital nomad who has been living on trains since 2022, traveling across Germany with an unlimited annual rail pass. He enjoys first-class lounges for meals, sleeps in sleeper cars, and uses public facilities for showers.

  • Superalbs Travels is a YouTube channel dedicated to showcasing train journeys across various countries, offering viewers immersive experiences of global rail travel. The channel features a range of content, including reviews of different train services, explorations of unique rail routes, and insights into the cultural aspects of train travel in diverse regions. Notable videos include journeys on the Eurostar from Paris to London, luxury train experiences across closed border railways, and explorations of Europe's unique overnight trains.

  • Tom Thornton's YouTube channel primarily features content related to train travel, with a focus on railway journeys and the experience of riding different train routes. His videos include travel vlogs that showcase scenic rides, as well as detailed insights into various trains and stations he encounters during his travels.

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