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Automatic gauge changing for freight. The OGI project

Spain. Furthermore, it is said in the report that "implementing the Corridor could potentially
shift about 33-41 million tons per year from road to rail (about 2,3-3 million trucks/equiva-
lent)".
The variable gauge system will permit the gradual adoption of the standard 1435 mm gauge in
conventional lines in Spain. The idea to extend the standard gauge to the conventional lines
requires a transition between the actual 1668 mm track gauge and de final 1435 mm track
gauge. To achieve this objective it is necessary to implement the automatic variable gauge
technology both in passenger trains and in freight trains to avoid services to be affected during
the implementation.
This forecast data for different scenarios of the Rail Freight Corridor implementation means
that disposing the standard UIC gauge in Spain will permit to promote freight traffic from/to
Europe and that OGI project is one of the keys to achieve this objective.
3.2.2 Interoperability

Having a variable gauge system for freight trains will also promote the interoperability of rail
networks of different track gauges in Europe. The European railway network is integrated by
the different national networks with different track gauges. We find the most important breaks
of gauge in the 1668-1435 mm track gauge border and the 1435-1520 mm track gauge border.
The freight automatic variable gauge system will permit to improve the conditions for the
transport of goods by rail between the different track gauge national networks in Europe.
Furthermore, as the track gauge problem is not only found in Europe, this new interoperable
system could also be implemented in other border sections such as the China-Russia border for
freight trains from Europe to China. The new trans-Eurasian rail freight services are growing
very fast in the latest years and several break of gauge are found in their routes. A variable gau-
ge system, such as the OGI system, will permit to reduce the transit time in the border sections.
3.2.3 New rail network planning tool

The development of this R&D project will provide the infrastructure planners and decision
makers a new tool for the railroad and service planning.

The new freight automatic variable gauge system in Spain would permit, as an example, that
freight trains run in both the conventional 1668 mm track gauge network and the 1435 mm HS
track gauge network. This would mean a new concept of rail freight traffic in Spain and a good
opportunity to develop a new mode of transport where freight trains could benefit from the
existent HS network.

3.3 Examples of the possible OGI system implementation in Spain and long-
term impacts

In this section, two possible scenarios will be analyzed where freight variable gauge system
services could be implemented in Spain and its long-term impacts: the Mediterranean Corridor
in the Vandellós-Castellon section and the Pajares Pass.

3.3.1 Example 1: The Mediterranean Corridor in the Vandellós-Castellón
section

In the current year 2017, the Ministry of Public Works and Transport has decided that the
Castellón - Vandellós section will be migrated to the standard gauge . This decision implies
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a big effort between the operators (Renfe and the private companies) in terms of adaptation

5 Ministerio de Fomento press release (02/06/2017)

International Congress on High-speed Rail: Technologies and Long Term Impacts - Ciudad Real (Spain) - 25th anniversary Madrid-Sevilla corridor 77