The pilot in Sweden also aimed at testing DAC under extreme weather conditions, but with a much heavier train moving steel. After country-specific tests, next year it will be time to take it a step further with large-scale ones. The plan is to equip 250 wagons and 15 locomotives with DAC and have them run throughout the Old Continent.

Different wagons and different couplers

The wagon types which will undergo testing are Eanos, Sgnss, Shimmns (4668 & 4676), Habbiins, Talns and Faccns, as well as two Siemens Vectron locomotives. Each wagon will be equipped with a CCU (Consist Control Unit), while the two locomotives with an LCU (Lead Control Unit). These are key components of the DAC, as they provide power supply throughout the train, enabling functions such as the automated brake test or the automated uncoupling.

These tests will also be an opportunity to assess interoperability between couplers from different manufacturers. More specifically, the couplers will come from Voith, Knorr Bremse, Wabtec and Dellner. The wagons will be equipped with 44 couplers. “Additionally, the two Vectron locomotives have four hybrid couplings, enabling them to haul wagons equipped either with DAC or conventional screw couplings”, RCG said.

Waiting for large-scale tests

These DAC Demo tests are part of Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking Flagship Project 5 (FP5 – TRANS4M-R). They can be considered as the first step towards the large-scale Pio-DAC tests which will start in 2027. “The PioDAC Trains are the next evolution phase and shall start afterwards with a higher maturity of DAC technology and operate additionally under commercial conditions”, the RCG spokesperson pointed out.

The two new links run on fixed timetables. RCG also offers first and last mile services, forwarding services such as transshipment, warehousing and professional customs clearance. “Freight customers can easily and flexibly book conventional freight wagons or intermodal units such as containers or swap bodies onto the train connections”, the company writes.

Various industries benefit

“The further development of our TransFER connections shows how consistently we align our services with the needs of our customers”, says ÖBB Rail Cargo Group CCO Christoph Grasl. “With new direct and reliable connections, we are improving access to key logistics hubs and creating attractive conditions for the switch to rail.”

RCG explains that these services are particularly beneficial for the chemical, steel, and paper industries. “These sectors gain the most from the enhanced transportation options and simultaneously drive the demand for our services”, the operator says, while pointing out that rail services offer higher transport capacity and reliability than the road, especially for long distances.

The Duisburg-Rotterdam service offers a direct link, initially with three round trips per week, between the Rheinkamp logistics hub near Duisburg and the major terminals of the Port of Rotterdam (Waalhaven, Europoort, Botlek, Pernis, and Maasvlakte). By connecting to Duisburg, one of Europe’s most significant inland ports, the service allows for efficient onward rail transport to destinations in Europe, says RCG.

The Salzburg-Offenbach link runs twice weekly, connecting the Austrian railway hub to an important logistics and industrial center in the Rhine-Main area near Frankfurt am Main.

Romanian connection

RCG is also changing its Romania service offering. The previous connection between Genk (Belgium) and Curtici, on the border with Hungary, will now be a Liège–Curtici link and operate with seven weekly round trips. Liege offers strong connections to the North Sea ports of Rotterdam, Antwerp and Zeebrugge and serves as a powerful hub between seaports, industrial centres and inland markets, RCG explains.

At the same time, RCG is introducing a new Duisburg–Curtici connection with three weekly round trips. “This means that traffic to Curtici will now be consolidated via both Liège and Duisburg”, the operator says.

According to the partners, the recycled material can replace up to 40 per cent of the natural gypsum used in plasterboard manufacturing. Initial volumes are already moving, with regular flows expected to ramp up through 2026. RCG described the system as an example of how rail can support closed-loop industrial supply chains by reducing truck traffic and ensuring a stable movement of secondary raw materials.

Landfill ban

The upcoming ban in Austria will not only concern gypsum, but all waste in general, meaning that more of it will have to be transported. For example, more waste will have to be exported, as Vienna does not have the capacity to recycle all of it. Specifically for gypsum, operators expect demand to rise once the landfill ban takes full effect, potentially turning the Stockerau–Bad Aussee corridor into a permanent bulk-recycling route.

RCG and the Middle Corridor

RCG is establishing a presence in the Middle Corridor, not only with its terminal in CEE. For example, the company has been running trains to Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan since 2023. Moreover, last year, Austria joined a group of six other countries to form the International Association Eurasian Transport Route, tasked with the formulation of a tariff policy for the Middle Corridor.

The Austrian operator already runs trains between Budapest and Istanbul, with further links to Austria, Germany and Belgium. Moreover, Curtici is connected to the Turkish port of Tekirdağ, an important hub for goods coming from Ukraine, Russia and southern Europe.

The new line provides the Adriatic ports of Trieste, Venice and Koper better access to the Austrian network and market, providing 30% additional capacity compared to the old line.. It is also a key section of the TEN-T Baltic-Adriatic corridor, connecting these ports to the Baltic Sea in northern Europe. The first freight trains will carry products by Omya, a chemical company specialised in industrial minerals.

The new Koralmbahn

The newly opened Koralmbahn measures about 130 kilometres. Almost half of it, roughly 50 kilometres, will be underground, including the 33-kilometre Koralm Tunnel, the longest rail tunnel in the country (until the Brenner Base Tunnel will be ready). Construction of this new line started in 2001, highlighting the complexity of the project, especially when it came to the tunnels.

Papierholz to integrate RCG’s MIKE platform

Papierholz Austria is moving to fully integrate its systems with RCG’s digital platform, MIKE. This shift will enable seamless ordering of empty wagons, transportation assignments, and real‑time shipment tracking—eliminating manual processes like Excel sheets, emails, phone calls, and multiple system logins.

MIKE offers an end‑to‑end digital interface: transparent, automated, and agile enough to respond to last‑minute changes in volume or schedule. This provides a modern, interconnected rail‑based timber supply chain—smart, sustainable, and ready for future challenges.

Drawing on its long‑standing cooperation, Papierholz Austria and RCG are honing their rail capabilities—from forest sourcing through to mill delivery. The initiative is not only reducing emissions and raising operational efficiency, but also preparing the supply chain to withstand future climate unpredictability. With MIKE’s system integration on the horizon, this timber rail model stands as an exemplar of green logistics across the entire value chain.

Initially launched as a pilot in Germany in 2022, TransFLEX has since grown into a regular part of RCG’s operations. According to company figures, the service covered 1.87 million kilometres and moved 2.25 million net tonnes of freight in 2024, supported by 15 locomotives.

TransFLEX expansion

A key development in 2025 is the cross-border expansion of TransFLEX. Since mid-April, customers have been able to book services to and from Austrian locations, including a new connection linking Burghausen in Bavaria with sites across the border. The extension marks a shift from purely domestic operations to regional corridors, where short lead times and infrastructure adaptability remain crucial.

RCG says the hybrid traction model supports its efforts to reduce emissions and streamline operations, particularly for clients based on non-electrified industrial sidings. With three hybrid locomotives now in service and further expansion underway, RCG appears to be positioning TransFLEX as a model for more responsive and infrastructure-flexible freight operations on central European routes.

How does it work?

Transporeon customers can now book door-to-door transports as ‘all in one’ shop, including container equipment, on the Transporeon platform. Rail services can be used for the main leg of the service, while first and last mile links are done via road. “This is the innovation – an integration of rail on the Transporeon platform”, a spokesperson for RCG pointed out. This combines the efficiency of rail with the flexibility of road transport, offering a practical alternative to road-only freight movement.

The logistics industry has expressed a need for integrated solutions that offer digital integration and real-time tracking. The collaboration between RCG and Transporeon addresses these requirements by providing a platform where customers can manage both road and rail transport seamlessly.

Addressing Climate Concerns

The European Green Deal highlights the necessity of reducing transport-related emissions, which currently account for 12 per cent of total CO2 emissions. Rail transport, being significantly more climate-friendly than road, is key to achieving these reductions. The solution developed by RCG and Transporeon has received notable awards, including the Austrian Logistics Award and the international Supply Chain Excellence Award, acknowledging its potential to impact the industry positively.

Potential Market Growth

With favorable conditions, the European multimodal transport market could double. This collaboration establishes a foundation for growth and innovation, contributing to Europe’s climate goals. Companies such as Nestlé and Vöslauer are already utilizing this integrated approach. The collaboration between Transporeon and RCG demonstrates how digital integration can enhance sustainability and efficiency in freight transport, supporting a more environmentally conscious future.