The “Europe Train” test train, which has been travelling across Europe since December 2010 to test low-noise brakes – equipped with composite “LL” brake blocks” – before it goes into series production to retrofit the existing European freight wagon fleet, has completed its fifteenth run in Italy with a passage through Switzerland. The previous run in June involved 12,000 km of successful operation in France.

“Europe Train” is a project managed by UIC on behalf of the international railway community. To date, 29 railway companies, four industry suppliers and the sector organisations UIC, CER and EIM have signed the resolution for the preparation of “Europe Train”. This UIC project is managed by Mr Johannes Gräber from Deutsche Bahn.

After travelling from Minden via the Rhine Valley to Basel, the train passed through Switzerland on 7 July. Thanks to the great effort of our colleagues in Switzerland and Mr Knörr from DB Schenker Rail, operation in Switzerland could be maintained despite the recent difficulties on the St. Gotthard route. The handover to FS Cargo took place as planned on 7 July in Chiasso and the train arrived punctually in Milan later that evening. In Italy the plan now is for the train to travel seven times from Milan, its temporary home base, down to Bari to operate the brakes under extreme hot weather conditions. The return again via Switzerland and the Rhine Valley is planned for the beginning of August.

Pictures and current information on the EuropeTrain project can be found at: http://EuropeTrain.uic.org.