New Timber Transports from Bolzano to Austria by Rail Cargo Group

In recent years, the forests of South Tyrol have been hit by a massive bark beetle infestation. To prevent them from causing further damage, deforestation is currently being pursued at record speed. However, the South Tyrolean sawmills are reaching their limits with these quantities – last year alone, they totalled five million cubic metres. The wood must therefore be transported from South Tyrol to other sawmills outside the region for further processing. This is a clear case for transport by rail – yet the Bolzano railway station has been shut down for years, which is why no actual rail transports were able to take place in this area.

Working Together for One Goal
Thanks to the joint collaboration of the Rail Traction Company (RTC), Rete Ferroviaria Italiana (RFI) and Rail Cargo Group (RCG) as well as the Autonomous Province of South Tyrol and the City of Bolzano, it has been possible to revitalise the Bolzano freight station and restore the tracks within the last few months. The first timber train has now had its maiden voyage and travelled from South Tyrol via the Brenner Pass to North Tyrol – from now on, further transports with 17 wagons per train will be carried out several times a week on the sustainable rails. In future, it is planned to use other border crossings such as Tarvisio to Austria as well.

Good for the Environment and the Region
This logistics solution saves over 100 truck journeys per week – transports that were previously handled via the Brenner Pass. This is not only good for the environment, but also for reducing transit traffic and providing relief for residents in the region. This model example proves that a flexible rail solution can be realised even within a relatively short time if all partners across national borders pull together.

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