Birmingham, UK: Containers being moved from Hams Hall near Birmingham to Novara in Italy formed DB Schenker Rail’s first loaded freight service over High Speed 1, the rail freight route between London and the Channel Tunnel, on May 27.
DB Schenker is carrying out five loaded trials on the high-speed line between London and the Channel Tunnel before the end of June, and said the first was “an outstanding success”.
Work to introduce freight services on the fast line is supported by the European Commission’s Marco Polo programme.
“The connection we provide to mainland Europe is open to freight and passenger operators,” says Nicola Shaw, chief executive of high-speed line infrastructure concessionaire HS1 Ltd. “We are delighted to be working with DB Schenker Rail and other freight operators. These successful trials pave the way for the introduction of regular freight services to and from the UK and into Europe.”
• DB Schenker Rail (UK) has appointed Dr Carsten Hinne as managing director logistics to lead a strategic expansion of its intermodal and rail logistics division. Hinne will be responsible for expanding DB Schenker Rail’s existing intermodal services from UK deep-sea ports and inland terminals, providing customers with choice and a large network of reliable rail services with final onward road delivery as required.
He will also develop opportunities for enhancing the supply of transport and logistics services for UK customers with European and International supply chains, with particular emphasis on securing continental-sized freight trains on the High Speed 1 rail route from the Channel Tunnel to London.
Hinne said: “The growth potential within the UK for intermodal and logistics rail services, and on High Speed 1 for mainland European sized freight trains, is significant. With my team I look forward to delivering innovative and cost effective solutions to British companies, increasing the volume of goods moved on the DB Schenker Rail pan-European rail freight network and through the Channel Tunnel.”
