Ukraine and Spain Develop Variable-Gauge Freight Bogie to Speed Up Border Crossings

Ukrzaliznytsia, Spanish infrastructure manager ADIF, and technology company Tria Rail are developing a freight bogie capable of automatic gauge change. The technology is intended to speed up border crossings between Ukraine and the EU while reducing logistics costs.

Prototype for Automatic Gauge Change

Ukrzaliznytsia, together with ADIF and Tria Rail, has created a prototype railway bogie that should become operational within two years for the automatic gauge change of freight wagons between 1,520 mm and 1,435 mm track gauges.

"If the tests are successful, we will begin discussions on the commercial production of bogies and freight wagons equipped with this technology for both the Ukrainian and European markets," Volodymyr Shemayev, Director of the UZ Office for International Projects, told the media.

The technology is intended to enable smooth gauge changes, significantly reducing border crossing times between Ukraine and European countries while lowering logistics costs. The Spanish government supported the project through the FIEM fund with a grant of €5.4 million. Support from this fund is aimed at helping Spanish companies expand internationally through exports, commercial activities, and joint production projects with foreign partners.

Testing in Spain

Tria Rail and ADIF are currently testing the system at the railway station in Irún on the Spanish–French border, where a test track for the variable-gauge technology is being established. The EAVM technology (the Spanish abbreviation for variable-gauge railway axle) is a comprehensive solution for the entire axle rather than only individual wheels.

The prototype variable-gauge axles operate with wheel diameters of 760 mm and 920 mm, while the gauge-changing system switches between 1,668 mm and 1,435 mm gauges. Tests are being carried out at the experimental centre in Córdoba using two modular devices. On the Spanish railway network, test railcars equipped with the EAVM system have already completed more than 250,000 kilometres.

Ukraine’s Rail Integration with Europe

Ukraine has a developed railway network with a total operational length exceeding 22,000 kilometres and remains an important transit country for rail freight between Europe and Asia.

As a result of Russian aggression, Ukraine is seeking deeper integration of its railway infrastructure with Europe. Ukraine shares rail connections with Moldova, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Hungary. The country operates 40 international railway border crossings and also serves 18 Ukrainian seaports on the Black Sea and Azov Sea coasts.

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