Insights

SCI: Diesel still dominates freight locomotive market

Diesel locomotives continue to dominate rail freight operations despite growing interest in alternative drives, according to a new study by SCI Verkehr. High costs and complex approval procedures are slowing the transition, particularly in Europe.

Karel Novak December 15, 2025 · 2 min read

Insights

Srbijavoz and EBRD cooperate on financing for 12 new sleeping cars

The financing arrangement supports the operator’s plan to replace older rolling stock used on overnight routes.

Lubomir Cech December 12, 2025 · 1 min read

Insights

Greater Manchester plans more freight capacity in long-term rail strategy

Greater Manchester’s 2050 rail plan includes measures to increase freight capacity across the region’s rail network.

Lubomir Cech December 9, 2025 · 2 min read

Insights

SCI: Freight slump hits rolling-stock maintenance

A new SCI Verkehr study shows that Europe’s freight-rail crisis has reached the rolling-stock maintenance sector. While the global MRO market continues to grow, European workshops serving locomotives and freight wagons face structural pressure.

Karel Novak December 3, 2025 · 2 min read

Insights

EU report reveals gaps and inconsistencies in combined transport terminal infrastructure

A recent in-depth analysis prepared for the European Parliament’s Committee on Transport and Tourism outlines a fragmented landscape of intermodal freight terminals across the European Union.

Lubomir Cech December 1, 2025 · 4 min read

Insights

UIRR: Road Freight Rates Rise Slightly — Key Signals for Rail Cargo Operators

Prices in European road freight rose again in Q3 2025, according to the new Upply–IRU–Ti benchmark. Because road and rail cargo often compete for the same flows, the outlook on trucking costs is a crucial factor for rail freight operators planning their 2026 strategies.

Karel Novak November 18, 2025 · 4 min read

Insights

Rail freight market forecasts long-term growth to EUR 567.3 billion by 2035

The global rail freight market is expected to grow steadily over the next decade, with forecasts pointing to a total value of EUR 567.3 billion (USD 602.7 billion) by 2035.

Lubomir Cech November 17, 2025 · 6 min read

Insights

“Not Fit for Freight”: Freight rail associations slam Brussels over capacity regulation

According to the signatories, the current draft fails to support a shift to rail and may reinforce fragmentation in the European railway network.

Lubomir Cech November 7, 2025 · 3 min read

Insights

UK government introduces Railways Bill to consolidate Britain’s fragmented rail sector under Great British Railways

The bill reflects a wider structural shift away from the privatised and heavily segmented model that has governed Britain’s railways for the past three decades.

Lubomir Cech November 6, 2025 · 3 min read

Insights

Simplifying cross-border rail operations: CER proposes updates to cross-border agreements

Differences in national systems — from signalling and power supply to vehicle authorisation and communication regimes — continue to complicate rail movements across borders, especially in border sections connecting stations, yards, and facilities just beyond national lines.

Lubomir Cech September 15, 2025 · 2 min read

Insights

7 measures needed to shift freight back to rail, experts say

A survey conducted by VCÖ shows that most experts do not expect Austria to reach its 2030 goal of a 34% rail freight share unless concrete policy changes are introduced.

Lubomir Cech September 8, 2025 · 2 min read

Insights

Rail share in EU inland freight transport continues decline, Eurostat data shows

New figures from Eurostat show a continuing decline in the share of rail in inland freight transport across the European Union.

Lubomir Cech August 18, 2025 · 2 min read

Insights

ČD Cargo discusses centralization of timber loading as wagonload volumes decline

ČD Cargo has entered talks with the Association of Forestry and Wood Processing Enterprises regarding the organization of future timber transport.

Lubomir Cech July 21, 2025 · 3 min read

Insights

Austrian freight rail traffic in 2024: Slight recovery despite infrastructure challenges

In 2024, Austria’s rail freight market showed modest growth, as reported by Schienen-Control’s annual market review.

Lubomir Cech July 14, 2025 · 3 min read

Insights

CER: EU citizens signal strong demand for cross-border high-speed rail

A new perception survey across the EU reveals high support for improving rail infrastructure between member states, with a clear preference for high-speed rail over air travel for short and medium distances.

Lubomir Cech July 11, 2025 · 3 min read

Insights

TSI telematics under discussion: Data sharing rules for rail freight in the EU

The current debate focuses on the scope and method of data sharing within this system.

Lubomir Cech July 7, 2025 · 3 min read

Insights

EU allocates EUR 2.8 billion to 94 projects – which investments go to rail and where?

The European Commission has approved funding for 94 transport infrastructure projects under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) 2024 calls.

Lubomir Cech July 7, 2025 · 1 min read

Insights

Global rolling stock market is expanding; the top ten manufacturers control 70%

The global new rolling stock market peaked in 2024: total revenues of all manufacturers rose to EUR 65 billion, 11% more than in 2022.

Karel Novak July 7, 2025 · 3 min read

Insights

SCI: Growing Global Market for Railway Track Systems

In its new study, 'Railway Track Systems – Global Market Trends 2025', SCI Verkehr forecasts an average annual growth rate of 3.6% (including an inflation rate of around 2%) up to 2029. However, growth dynamics vary significantly by region.

Karel Novak June 25, 2025 · 2 min read

Insights

Shifting timber to rail could cut emissions in Finnish forest logistics by half, study finds

The analysis identifies the modal shift of timber transport from road to rail as the most effective available measure in terms of cost-efficiency and emissions reduction potential.

Lubomir Cech June 20, 2025 · 3 min read