Rail Cargo Group: vision 2030+

Rail Cargo Group set themselves the goal of making rail freight fit for the future: This can only succeed if Rail Cargo Group becomes even more innovative and use new technologies. The first major step on this road will be the implementation of the innovative freight wagon at RCG. After that, RCG will work with the entire industry to plan the intelligent freight train. The measures will ultimately culminate in the vision of autonomous production in rail freight transport. RCG is now graphically depicting this path in a technological rail map.

Moving forward together

For the innovative freight wagon, RCG can drive forward the topics independently and thereby attempt to achieve a competitive advantage, but for the intelligent freight train, RCG needs the whole of Europe. That is because a collaborative European approach is needed to ensure interoperability across the company and national borders. For this reason, it is particularly important that RCG play a key role in the most important European committees for the intelligent freight train, advocate for our project and drive it forward together with other rail transport companies and wagon keepers. This approach will enable RCG to achieve significant efficiency improvements in rail freight transport in the medium term and thus remain competitive with other modes of transport.

By 2025

In the coming years, the development of the innovative freight wagon will be a top priority for RCG. This involves modernizing the freight wagon fleet with the help of various innovations. An important milestone was the development of TransANT, a lightweight wagon with a modular design including container concepts. Further innovations are on the horizon: RCG is currently testing various solutions in connection with wheelsets for different challenges - such as radially adjustable wheelsets and modern sensor technology in the wheelset that could minimize abrasion. Many of these innovations should be in widespread use by 2025 and bring RCG a step closer to the innovative freight car.

By 2030

As a logical consequence of the innovative freight car, RCG needs an intelligent freight train that will allow train preparation and operational processes to be automated in the future. To achieve this goal by 2030, the Digital Automatic Coupler ( DAC ) - i.e., a center buffer coupler with power and data management - is the enabler. This is because the DAC is considered a prerequisite for automation and digitization in rail freight transport. To drive this revolution forward, RCG is playing a leading role in the Europe-wide DAC Delivery Program.

Vision 2030+

Rail Cargo Group´s vision is the autonomous production for which the (partially) automated freight train is a crucial building block. This includes autonomous "First & Last Mile" as well as "Automated Train Operations" (ATO), i.e. autonomous steering and braking of the train with the supervision of a train driver. RCG still has a long way to go, but with every technological development, RCG takes a step forward. RCG is a pioneer for the automation of rail freight transport and is playing a major role in making the vision a reality!