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Home > Who are we ? > Fret SNCF in Europe > Cooperative programmes |
| Cooperative programmes The main obstacles to the development of rail freight in Europe are technical differences from one country to another, such as different electrical currents, signalling systems, safety procedures, and even gauge widths. Fret SNCF is cooperating with other European rail companies to eliminate these technical barriers.
Locomotives Fret SNCF is working with its counterparts to develop “interoperable” locomotives, meaning those which can run on different types of current to cross borders without having to change machinery. This type of locomotive is designed to operate in France, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and Italy. A European operators’ license Discussions are currently underway to establish a European license for train operators, and to harmonize work conditions for personnel, with each company retaining responsibility for safety. Trunk routes  On the Woippy/Mannheim route between France and Germany, two hours have been cut from travel times, thanks to interoperable locomotives. Instead of the two long technical stopovers previously made at Sarrebruck and Forbach (before inauguration of the new system), the trains now make only a three-minute stop in Forbach to change operators. In December, 2003 even that stop will be eliminated with the same operator responsible for the entire trip. Establishing a trunk-route policy for the Antwerp/Basel itinerary helps to increase traffic fluidity and reliability. To avoid administrative stops at borders, Fret SNCF is also developing the computerized exchange of international consignment notes (operational information documents for passage from one country to another) with European partners.
Fret SNCF is creating commercial partnerships with other rail companies. For example, operation of the Alpine Rail-Motorway is the result of cooperation with Trenitalia. These partnerships can even involve the creation of new jointly-owned companies:  Sideuropa with Trenitalia for the transport of steel products between France and Italy,Cadefer with RENFE for the transport and logistics of steel products between France and Spain,Channel Rail Freight with EWS, for freight transport between France and Great Britain,Agrifersa with RENFE to carry cereals and fertilizer between France and Spain,Transfesa with RENFE for wagons with interchangeable wheel hubs,- Rail Euro Concept for interoperable production between France and Germany.  "interoperable" locomotives map |
