From Italy to Madrid by Truck—but Without Hitting the Road
The innovative concept of the railway highway connects Italy with the Spanish capital, allowing the transport of goods at low costs while significantly reducing pollution emissions . This project, previously tested in Spain, is poised to expand its reach into Portugal.
The Journey of Trucks Transformed
From Italy to Madrid. This is the remarkable journey undertaken by trucks powered by Tramesa, a company facilitating a unique service in the transport landscape. Essentially, trucks originate from Italy, travel hundreds of kilometers, yet consume not a single drop of diesel fuel along the way.
According to reports from El País , these trucks arrive at the port of Valencia, where colossal cranes lift them onto a railway platform. Here, the truck gets converted into a shipping container that travels by rail all the way to Madrid. Once in the capital, the truck returns to the road to distribute the goods.
Understanding the Railway Highway
What is a railway highway? This system involves utilizing railway tracks to transport trucks instead of the conventional road systems. Currently, this service is operational solely between Madrid and Valencia, but there are plans for expansion extending to Portugal.
The Environmental Advantages
Does it make sense? Absolutely! The railway highway proves to be an environmentally friendly option. According to Adif, using trucks as railway containers is nearly five times less polluting compared to road transport, which involves tire and brake wear and a substantial consumption of diesel.
Moreover, this method is advantageous for transport companies. The journey can occur with or without a cab on the truck. Without a cab, the expenses related to drivers decrease as trucks can travel autonomously on the train. As a result, a driver can operate a tractor at the origin, drop off the trailer, and another driver at the destination can pick up the cargo with a second tractor. This drastically reduces both driving hours and distance.
The Spanish Context
Currently, the only active railway highway links Valencia’s port to Madrid. However, this system isn’t entirely novel. There have been previous attempts, with the most recent not far back in time.
In 2019, Renfe Mercancías and VIIA, a subsidiary of SNCF, initiated a service with up to six trains bi-weekly between Barcelona and Bettembourg (Luxembourg). Unfortunately, the project was canceled shortly after due to the COVID-19 crisis and was reactivated in 2022 before ultimately closing down just months later.
According to Trenvista, this case is just the latest example of attempts in Spain. Back in the late 1980s, a railway highway was established between Madrid and Barcelona, but operations ceased two years later following an accident.
Railway Highways Across Europe
Outside Spain, the transportation of goods via railway highways isn’t a new concept either. VIIA, the firm planning to exploit the connection between Barcelona and Luxembourg, maintains four exclusive lines and collaborates on another four with different operators.
Their operations are mainly found in France , with one line extending into Italy, primarily collecting cargo reaching via the Eurotunnel . This arrangement showcases the benefits of combining significant ports and cities with efficient railway connections.
Interestingly, France was the first to introduce a railway highway in 1936. Following World War II, services expanded with the Alpine Railway Highway , which connects France and Italy near Turin.
Looking Ahead
While the future remains uncertain, institutions are striving to finalize additional projects. Currently, there are a total of 15 projects underway at various stages.
In operation on narrow gauge, we have the Valencia-Madrid connection, and there are active developments for:
- Algeciras-Zaragoza
- Zaragoza-Tarragona
- Huelva-Madrid-Zaragoza
- Sevilla-Madrid-Zaragoza
- Valencia-Badajoz-Entroncamento (Portugal)
- Madrid-Badajoz-Entroncamento-Oporto (Portugal)
In the study phase are:
- Tarragona-Barcelona
- Madrid-Valladolid-Burgos-Vitoria
- Murcia-Madrid
- Cádiz-Madrid
- Tamarite de Litera-Irún
- Zaragoza-Pamplona-Vitoria
Moreover, on standard gauge, a line between Barcelona and Le Perthus (France) is already in operation; future projections include:
- Murcia-Le Perthus (France)
- Tarragona-Le Perthus (France)
- Vitoria-Irún
Image credits: Ministry of Transport and Tramesa
For more insights, check Xataka’s analysis on how competition has affected Renfe’s services, revealing that train fares are now more affordable than ever.