We are pleased to invite you to the RNE RFC Session 2024, taking place online on October 30, 2024, from 10:00 to 12:00 (CET). This special event will highlight the main functionalities of several key RNE IT tools, including:

• Path Coordination System (PCS) and its new Capacity Broker (PCS CB)
• Customer Information Platform (CIP)
• Rail Facilities Portal (RFP)
• Train Information System (TIS)

During the session, we will offer detailed presentations and guidance on these tools, helping participants to better understand their features and the benefits they bring to the railway sector.

The session will be co-organized by the RFC Network and the RNE Team, and each tool will have a dedicated 30-minute slot, including time for questions and answers.

The session will be recorded and published on the RFC Network YouTube channel for later viewing. The event will be held in English language.

If you are interested don’t hesitate to ask your questions directly to the experts. We are looking forward to your participation!

On SZCZ network, the overall situation is coming back to the normal activities. Full operation of Chalupki-Bohumin border point is envisaged on 12 October in the evening, for both passenger and freight trains. All  Corridors lines will be fully operational.

ÖBB-I: the situation has improved and gradually returned to normal activities. Since 10 October the Old Western Line has both tracks with max speed 100 Km/h open. Currently there are 3 out of 5 tracks on the East-West Corridor available.

• 85 – 100 % of capacity for freight trains is available on the West Line and on the rerouting line via Herzogenburg possible
• 15 % has to be rerouted via the South Line
• ÖBB-I adapted schedules (with some restrictions for the passanger trains) in order to gain capacity for freight trains
• the New West Line will be temporary repaired by December 14th 2024; a second phase repair will be needed in Summer 2025 for 4 weeks

• On SZCZ network, the situation is gradually coming back to the normal activities. Bohumin Vrbice-Chalupki border point will be opened today 4th October at 16.00. Full operation of Chalupki-Bohumin is envisaged on 10 October, where also related local lines will be reopened. All Corridors lines will be fully operational as from next week. For freight trains, there will be no need for rerouting. As for international passenger trains, reopening of specific traffics are also according to RUs needs and
• For traffic to Slovakia from the Chech network, all border lines are operational.
• ÖBB-I network: criticalities remain on the West line Wien-St.Pölten. In the normal case East-/West Corridor has 5 tracks. Since September 28^th  it is possible to use just 2 of them. As for the Old Westline, efforts to increase capacity are ongoing, namely:
• on October 10th the Old Western line will have no longer single track sections and a new schedule will be offered, then it will be possible to use 3 of 5 tracks on the East- / West Corridor
• as from October 1st, 00:00 until Monday 14th, 24:00,  on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday there is only 75 % capacity available;
• on October 14th capacity will be increased up to 100 %
• The rerouting option via Tulln and Herzogenburg is open since September 28th, with some restrictions up to October 10th.
• As for the New West Line, tunnels and train station Tullnerfeld were under water with big damages. No precise forecasts for reopening are possible at the moment.
• Impact on DB InfraGO network: DB InfraGo mentioned that with regard to situation related to transit trains parked (i.e. Germany- Austria border via Passau), the overall framework improved as from last Saturday, when additional capacity was released. Situation is coming back to normal activities.

We will keep our stakeholders informed about the further proceedings.

• Major criticalities on SZCZ network, in particular in the Ostrava region: As far as the main line Ostrava-Svinov – Bohumín – Dětmarovice is concerned, which has been closed because of flood since 14 September 2024, we are glad to inform you that it will be re-opened from
  14:00 tomorrow (28 September). Transit traffic for freight trains will be possible again from that time on towards Polandvia other border points different from Bohumin-Chalupki which is still closed. Main criticalities remains for passenger trains.
• SZCZ expects to be able share further updates next Friday.
• ZSR: For traffic to Slovakia from the Chech network, all border lines are still operational.
• ÖBB-I network: More Capacity Created for Freight Transport

As of September 28, 2024, from 8:00 AM, the route between Tulln an der Donau via Tullnerfeld to Herzogenburg can be reopened for freight traffic. This will allow additional freight trains to operate during the day on the Danube axis, in addition to those on the ‘old West route’ at night. This solution will bring up to 75% of the usual capacity for freight traffic, compared to the previous 25%. This ensures the continued supply security of Austrian and European industry.

In addition to reopening specific routes, efforts are being made to reroute freight traffic on a larger scale where possible, for example via the Semmering or the Pyhrn routes. This depends on factors such as the weight and size of the freight, as these routes involve tunnel passages with strict limits.

Impact of the Flooding on Freight Transport

Freight transport is still massively affected by the restrictions following the floods in Austria and neighbouring countries such as Poland, Czechia, Romania, and Hungary, with Italy (Emilia Romagna) now impacted as well. Entire transport corridors have been rendered impassable due to floods and landslides. Although some routes have been reopened, a significant number of sections remain closed, both nationally and internationally.

Delays and Backlog in Freight Traffic

The situation has made freight transport extremely difficult, with hundreds of trains currently at a standstill, particularly at the borders, where traffic has come to a complete halt. The backlog and processing of freight traffic are expected to take some time, leading to extended delays.

• Impact on DB InfraGO network: The above disruption in Austria still has an impact on cross-border traffic via Passau and Salzburg. In particular, there are criticalities on the German-Austrian borders where several trains are parked and cannot run. DB InfraGO and ÖBB-I have been in close contact with each other in order to mitigate the situation.

We will keep our stakeholders informed about the further proceedings.

• Major criticalities on SZCZ network, in particular in the Ostrava region: Traffic to Austria and Poland is still interrupted, the main line Ostrava-Svinov – Bohumín – Dětmarovice is still closed because of flood (since 14 September 2024 as informed before). On 25 September at the earliest, it might be possible to estimate when it will be opened for traffic again.

There is re-routing option for the traffic flow from Austria/Italy to Poland via Ostrava-Vítkovice – Český Těšín – Petrovice u Karviné – Zebrzydowice. In cooperation with the responsible RUs freight trains are rerouted.

• For traffic to Slovakia from the Chech network, all border lines are operational.

• ÖBB-I network: The main lines are open with some restrictions.

On the New West line, between Wien Meidling and St. Pölten Hbf 130, there are still major disturbances. The New West Line Tunnels are under water with big damages. Most likely, it will take some weeks to repair them.

On the Old West line between Wien Westbahnhof – Rekawinkel – St. Pölten Hbf, there are also restrictions due to damage. Freight trains may run only at night or are rerouted via the south line.

The West Line has very restricted capacity, with only (reduced) passenger trains on the Old West Line from 05:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Therefore, starting with today, 23.09.2024 11:00 p.m. freight trains are only allowed between 11:00 p.m. and 05:00 a.m. A contingent has been introduced for 40 paths for freight trains. Ad-hoc freight trains or paths are not possible.

• Impact on DB InfraGO network: The above disruption in Austria also has an impact on cross-border traffic via Passau and Salzburg. In particular, there are criticalities on the German-Austrian borders where several trains are parked and cannot run. DB InfraGO and ÖBB-I are in close contact with each other.

We will keep our stakeholders informed about the further proceedings.

• Major criticalities on SZCZ network, in particular in the Ostrava region: Traffic to Austria and Poland is interrupted. Currently, the main line Hranice na Moravě – Studénka – Ostrava – Bohumín – Dětmarovice is closed because of flood. Part of this line is still under water, so it is still impossible to estimate when it is going to be opened for traffic again. As a consequence, now it is impossible to manage the transit traffic from Austria to Poland and unfortunately, currently, there is no re-routing option for this traffic. Transit trains to Austria and Italy are not operated. There are only two operational border-crossings to Poland, Petrovice/Zebrzyodowice (accessible only from Dětmarovice and from Slovak side only) and Lichkov/Miedzylesie (not accessible from Polish side).

For traffic to Slovakia from the Chech network, the border point in Cadca is operational.

• ÖBB-I network: As of 11 September, major problems have occurred with snow and floods in particular on the West line, direction Wien-Pölten – Linz- Salzburg. The New West Line Tunnels are still under water with big damages. On the Old West line (same direction Wien- St.Pölten), there are still some mudflows and only single track is operational, therefore, freight trains run only in the night or are rerouted via the south line.

We will keep our stakeholders informed about the further proceedings.

Due to the extraordinary flood event, which caused extensive restrictions and stopped traffic operation on the territory of the Czech Republic and the railway network of Správa železnic, we are asking you to initiate the ICM process.

At this moment line Hranice na Moravě – Ostrava – Bohumín – Dětmarovice is closed for all traffic.

The networks of PKP PLK, ŽSR and ÖBB are also affected by this event. It is currently impossible to estimate how long will the impact on the network remain critical.

Affected border lines at this moment:

• Bohumín-Vrbice – Chalupki
• Bohumín os.n. – Chalupki
• Petrovice u Karviné – Zebrzydowice
• Mosty u Jablunkova – Čadca

Unfortunately, at the moment there is no option for the implementation of diversion trains. Only the border crossing Děčín – Bad Schandau would be considered for the traffic to/from Poland, but it is affected by extensive TCRs and it is not possible to reroute trains to it. For the traffic to/from Slovakia borders Horní Lideč – Lúky pod Makytou and Lanžhot – Kúty are still available but some restrictions might appear here soon because of flooding.

The final offer for TT2025 was finished by the end of last week. This is the date on which the PaP order process comes to an end and the final offer can be accepted by the customer.

Unfortunately, not all PaPs could be offered in PCS to finalize the offer by the customers. Technical problems with the new construction system including Interface to PCS have not yet been resolved, but the Slovakian ZSR is working on a solution so that these offers can also be accepted by the customer in PCS as soon as possible.

We would like to inform our customers about the publication of the updated overview of Temporary Capacity Restrictions (TCRs). This update concerns TCRs of DB InfraGO, MÁV, ÖBB Infra, SZCZ, and ZSR.

It can be accessed via our website (https://rfc-rhine-danube.eu/temporary-capacity-restrictions-tcrs/), as well as via the CIP (https://info-cip.rne.eu/).