Photo ® Infrabel

ANNUAL REPORT 2009

FAST TRACK YOUR RAIL FREIGHT

1

RAIL FREIGHT CONNECTIONS

P2

The Network

P4

A European Corridor

P5

Message from the Chairman

P6

About Corridor C

P11

Results 2009

P14

Services

P18

Communication

P20

Finance

Photo ® RFF

1
1

The network

T

he Corridor C is a dedicated
freight rail route crossing
Belgium, Luxembourg, France
and Switzerland.

1,840 km
total network

I

ts position is strategic
for logistical transport,
as this corridor links up
one of the main ports of
Europe with other major
industrial areas.

2
2

The Network

THE CORRIDOR IN A FEW WORDS:
•

Links Antwerp to Lyon and Basel.

•

Crosses:
Belgium (510 km),
France (1 250 km),
Luxembourg (70 km)
Switzerland (8 km).

•

Faster, more efficient,
reliable, more punctual.

•

Ecologically sustainable
alternative.

•

Improved interoperability
thanks to uniform signalling.
(ERTMS)

more

Photo ® Infrabel

T

he setting up of the ERTMS (European Railways Traffic Management System) safety system will be
staggered between 2008 and 2018 to replace the five signalling systems at present co-existing on
the 1,840 km of this European corridor.

T

he introduction of the ERTMS will contribute to stimulating the increase in freight rail traffic as well
as to developing the speed and reliability of rail traffic.
THE SYNOPTIC CHART BELOW SHOWS THE MAIN ROUTES ON THE CORRIDOR.

Main Road
Alternative Road

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3

A European Corridor

T

he European Commission wants to promote freight transport on the
railway network and has the vision of increasing the modal share,

i.e. benefiting the transfer from road transport to rail. This transfer will
have considerable socio-economic and ecological advantages.
This is why the European Commission is encouraging
Infrastructure Managers and Railway Undertakings to
develop a European rail network of freight-oriented
corridors equiped in ERTMS.
A series of measures has been planned to ensure more
fluid traffic on these corridors:
• A legal framework for the corridors with the
management structure of an EEIG.
• Investment programmes to implement the
ERTMS and with a view to tackling the nerve centres in
terms of capacity.
• Subsidies in order to strive for harmonisation of
the technical functionalities of the corridors.
• Initiatives designed to improve coordination
between the infrastructure managers and the allocation
of international train paths

L

The European Commission is actively monitoring each corridor, and, in the context of its policy of trans-European
transport networks, is subsidising the corridors whose projects have been approved as eligible.

For the period from 2007 to 2013, it has allocated an initial subsidy of 79 million euros to Corridor C for the
infrastructure works needed to implement the ERTMS on the Corridor C.
This amount is divided as follows :
•
•
•

36 million are allocated to Infrabel, the Belgian infrastructure manager,
33 million to RFF (France),
9.5 to CFL (Luxembourg).

The Commission is also granting subsidies to CFL EF in the sum of 8.6 million euros, to equip the ERTMS rolling stock.

THE SETTING UP OF THIS TRANS-EUROPEAN FREIGHT CORRIDOR WILL CONTRIBUTE TO
PROMOTING RAIL AS AN ATTRACTIVE MEDIUM AND LONG DISTANCE FORM OF TRANSPORT.

4
4

Message of the Chairman

T

he results obtained by Corridor C during the 2009
financial year confirm the European grouping’s
choice of strategy.
The years following its creation have been essentially
marked by its confirmation and consolidation. The
results obtained have made it possible to position
Corridor C as one of the main ERTMS Corridors.
On the basis of this consolidation, new tasks and
challenges were, and still are, to be taken up.
The infrastructure managers have worked to identify
bottlenecks so that these can be eliminated in order
to increase the capacity of the main and alternative
routes of the Corridor.
The first call was launched in 2007 by the European
Commission in the context of the setting up of the
ETCS on the ground and on board. It has enabled
the managers and a participating railway company
to progress considerably with the setting up of ETCS.
François Jaeger
Chairman EEIG Corridor C

In fact, before the withdrawal of Crossrail, the very
substantial sum of around 88.9 million euros was allocated
to the EEIG.
In 2009, the EEIG took part in the second tender by
submitting a coordinated application.
I am particularly pleased to be able to highlight that with
the setting up of the ERTMS, the safety level of rail traffic
is, and will be, considerably better than with the present
systems.
Additionally, with a view to promoting communication,
Corridor C has held its first open day for clients.
This was held in Antwerp, and brought together clients from
the sector and the European protagonists. It was a great
success, and gave renewed motivation to all those involved.
But it needs to be repeated!
To conclude, I would like to emphasise that all these results
were obtained throughout 2009 thanks to the skills and very
high degree of motivation of all our staff and the setting up
of a permanent team in the course of 2009, which will be
complete at the beginning of 2010.
And finally, I would like to thank everyone with whom we
have been able to set up solid foundations for professional
work.
François Jaeger
Chairman EEIG Corridor C

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5

About Corridor C

OUR MISSION AND OUR VISION

M

ission
The EEIG is a European grouping whose mission is to promote within its membership measures to
improve interoperability, the adequacy of the service supplied, and the deployment of the ERTMS

system on the Antwerp/Lyons/Basle corridor known as Corridor C.

SPECIFICALLY, THE EEIG HAS THE FOLLOWING MISSION :
•

To prepare a detailed plan for the implementation of the ERTMS in the corridor.

•
•

To coordinate and monitor applications for financial assistance for work on the ERTMS infrastructure.
To coordinate the Corridor C approach with that of other corridors.

•

To check out and assess the results achieved.

IN ADDITION, WITHIN THE SCOPE OF ITS ACTIVITIES, THE EEIG CAN ALSO:
•
•
•
•
•
•

Advise and support infrastructure managers and railway companies on the management of their projects,
from the awarding of contracts to completion.
Propose methods with a view to facilitating the mutual acceptance of trains in the corridor.
In cooperation with Rail Net Europe, to study measures with a view to exploiting the potential of the corridors
and improve interoperability.
Insure coordination in terms of technology, operation, and safety.
Attract the necessary funding.
Promote common markets for the ERTMS.

ision:

V

To make the railway world more accessible, safer, and faster for freight.

Photo ® Infrabel

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6

About Corridor C

THE CORRIDOR C EEIG - STRUCTURE
The EEIG, governed by a Chairman and a Managing Director, is made up of three members: Réseau Ferré de France,
Infrabel, and the Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer Luxembourgeois. The Swiss management company is an associate.
In addition, the EEIG has a permanent team which was set up gradually in 2009.
Initially, it consists of three people who come under the authority of the Managing Director: .
a Corridor Manager,
an Operations and Investment Manager (from February 2010),
a Financial Administration and Communication Manager.

Assembly
EEIG Corridor C

Corridor group

Executive Commitee

Managing Director
Corridor Management

Financial admin.
& Communication

Operations &
Investment Manager

Caecilia Bierer

Stéphane Maus

Corridor Manager
Patrick Nguyen

Perf ormance Coordinator

Operational structure of the EEIG Corridor C

Committee
ERTMS/ETCS
Sylvain Mosm ann

Subgroup

Subgroup

Subgroup

The Corridor Manager has the main aim of developing the
traffic along the corridor. This aim involves offering services
matching the needs of the market, better coordination between
infrastructure managers, and a better quality of service.
The Operation and Investment Manager will focus on
operational problems, and will define, with the assistance of
the infrastructure managers, the investments to be made to
overcome the obstacles raised by the bottlenecks along the
corridor.
The Financial Administration and Communication Manager
is responsible, among other things, for all the tasks linked with
the management of the European subsidies involving the EEIG,
the financial and budgetary aspects of the management of the
EEIG, and the promotion of Corridor C to the stakeholders.
From left to right: P. Nguyen - Corridor Manager, C. Bierer - Financial
Administration and Communication Manager, S. Maus - Operation and
Investment Manager, F. Jaeger - Chairman.

Collaboration
With a view to reinforcing the permanent team within the framework of the Project Management Performance, a Performance Coordinator
has been recruited by Infrabel to improve punctuality on Corridor C in cooperation with the Corridor Manager.
This light organisation structure enables the EEIG to react immediately and decisively.

7
7

About Corridor C

AMBITIOUS OBJECTIVES
Corridor C wishes to establish a fast, efficient,
high quality rail link between the port zone of
Antwerp and the industrial centres of Lyons
(France) and Basle (Switzerland). This aim
falls within the European policy of producing
a transnational rail network focusing on
freight.
The corridor will increase the efficiency,
reliability and sustainability of end-to-end
rail freight traffic. This will also strengthen
the competitive position of rail as against
road transport, aligning the objectives of
Corridor C with the European vision.

Ambitious aims have been set for the period 2009 - 2013, for various
areas :

Domain

2009

2010

2013

Average travel time between Antwerp and Basel

11’30

11’10

10’15

Average travel time between Antwerp and Lyon

13’30

13’20

12’15

Punctuality

70%

72%

85%

Number of trains per day (both directions)

76

80

96

Photo ® Infrabel

QUALITY

TRAFFIC

With regard to monitoring
and improved punctuality,
Corridor C is taking part
in the Train Performance
Management project which
is designed to monitor
and improve quality in the
corridors. This project was
stated by RNE in order
to increase the quality
of service in Corridor C.
The Train Performance
Management team has
the aim for 2010 of
improving the quality and
comprehensiveness
of
traffic information. Today,
punctuality is monitored
on the basis of information
supplied by Europtirail.

However, affected by the
severe
economic
crisis
in the economic sector,
our objectives have been
adjusted to bring them into
line with the real situation.

TRAFFIC IN CORRIDOR C
The year 2009 was marked by the economic
and financial crisis, and its consequences on the
development of traffic were visible. International
traffic using Corridor C has fallen by approximately
30%. This trend has remained the norm for the
market. However, this reduction in traffic can be
taken as a challenge for 2010.
The Corridor C team will work to make Corridor C
even more attractive by giving special attention to
the quality and diversity of its services.

Répartition des produits

Products
Divers
17%

Metal
10%

An analyse of the products carried on the Corridor C indicated that:
•
•

45% of the trains passing on the Corridor C carry mostly coal and
petrolium products
38% of the trains passing on the Corridor C carry containers.

8
8

Trains Entiers
45%
Containers
38%

Charbon
16%

Petrol
13%
Auto
5%
Sable
1%

About Corridor C

SEMINARS AND THEMED MEETINGS

CALENDAR - 2009
Seven Assembly were held in 2009, on
4 February 2009, 6 March 2009 (limited
meeting), 6 May 2009, 17 June 2009, 30
September 2009, 28 October 2009, and 30
November 2009.

M. F. JAEGER ,
CHAIRMAN C ORRIDOR C,
DIRECTOR CFL

THE MEMBERS OF THE ASSEMBLY
ENTITLED TO VOTE ARE:
the Chairman, also representing the
Luxembourg Infrastructure Manager, Fr.
Jaeger.
the members representing the French
and Belgian Infrastructure Managers:

M. H. DU MESNIL ,
R EPRESENTING MEMBER RFF,
G ENERAL DIRECTOR RFF

H. du Mesnil, General Director, RFF and
L. Lallemand, Chairman of the Board of
Directors, Infrabel.
o J.-Ph. Chaix-Cames is a stand-in
member representing RFF.
o G. Vernieuwe is a stand-in
member representing Infrabel.
M. L. L ALLEMAND,
R EPRESENTING MEMBER INFRABEL,
CHAIRMAN OF THE B OARD OF DIRECTORS
INFRABEL

THE FOLLOWING ALSO ATTEND:
the Managing Director, M. Luc
Vansteenkiste, Director-General Infrabel
Network Access Department
a representative of the Swiss
Infrastructure manager in an advisory

MR L. VANSTEENKISTE,
MANAGING DIRECTOR C ORRIDOR C,
DIRECTOR-G ENERAL INFRABEL
NETWORK ACCESS D EPARTMENT

capacity M. Heinz Pulfer
the coordinator of the ERTMS/ETCS
Committee, S. Mosmann
the national ETCS project leaders
the permanent members of Corridor C

M. G. VERNIEUWE,
STAND-IN MEMBER REPRESENTING INFRABEL

THE MEMBERS OF THE ASSEMBLY
DISCUSS:
The strategy of the Corridor, its aims, its
actions, and the results of the EEIG.
As the meeting is the sole executive body,
any administrative and financial problems
of importance are also handled here.

M. J-P. C HAIX-C AMES ,
STAND-IN MEMBER REPRESENTING RFF

In addition to the Ordinary Assembly, a
General Assembly was held in Luxembourg
on 16 March 2009, and a meeting of the
CEOs of the EEIG members on 8 July.
These meetings enable the EEIG members
to be involved in this project at a high level
in order to obtain the support required by
the management of these members.

M. H. PULFER ,
R EPRESENTING MEMBER SBB

On 23 April and 9 November 2009, two
seminars were held by the members of
the Meeting, in the form of working days,
in order to go further into discussions on
particularly important strategic points.
The representatives of the members of
Corridor C and the Corridor Manager
played an active part in the international
coordination meetings held by RNE and the
UIC.
The Corridor Manager thus took part
in the meetings held by RNE regarding
the management of the Corridor and the
computer tools required for the smooth
running of the Corridor, such as Pathfinder,
Europtirails and Oracle Discover. Corridor
C is also taking part in the test which
will be held as part of the UIC European
Performance Regime.
In the interests of harmonising the
Corridor C supply with client demand, the
representatives of the Corridor C “One Stop
Shop” (OSS) also attended meetings on
timetable harmonisation and commercial
coordination, and discussions on improving
services.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
The European Commission, the members of
the EEIG, and the leaders of the ERTMS/ETCS
working groups take part in the Executive
Committee on an advisory basis. The
Ministries and the Infrastructure Managers
are represented there.
The Executive Committee met three times
in 2009, on 12 February, 11 May, and 30
November.
In order to be able to provide the Ministries
with the best information, the EEIG members
regularly take stock of the situation in the
following areas: general achievements of the
EEIG, European subsidies, achievements of
the ETCS working group, and the objectives
of the Quality and Interoperability initiative.

CORRIDOR GROUP
As from 2008, the MoU ERTMS Steering
Committee set up a working group under
the name “Corridor Group” with a view to
coordinating communication between the
ERTMS European coordination and the 6
ERTMS corridors.
The Corridor Group makes it possible to
pool experiences on the technical and
operational aspects. This means that the
ERTMS coordinator can guarantee progress
on the implementation of the measures
described in the corridor ERTMS Letter of
Intent. Each corridor delegates a maximum of
two representatives. The Corridor C EEIG is
represented by François Jaeger and Sylvain
Mosmann
In 2009, five meetings took place: on February
19th, April 20th, June 8th, September 14th
and November 16th.
The Steering Committee handles the
implementation of the MoU. It is made up
of two members of each representative
signatory organisation.

9
9

About Corridor C

PARTNERS

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION
In its decision of 10 December 2008, the European Commission
confirmed the granting of a total subsidy of 88.98 M€ to the
Corridor C EEIG and other partner beneficiaries (RFF, CFL
Infrastructure Manager, Infrabel, CFL Entreprise Ferroviaire
and Crossrail BENELUX). This subsidy can cover up to 50% of
the cost of the ground equipment until 2013 and up to 50%
of the onboard equipment of the two railway companies until
2009.
A second call for proposals is being prepared. To do this, a
letter has been sent by the EEIG to the three Community
Infrastructure Managers and to all the railway companies
entitled to travel on the network or which have started an
entitlement procedure. The aim of this letter was to identify
the potential partners of a joint response to the second call
for proposals mentioned above. Six positive replies have been
registered.
The decision on this second call will be made by the European
Commission at the end of February 2010.

R AILNETEUROPE

RailNet Europe, an organisation founded in 2004, brings
together 35 European rail infrastructure managers. This
association has a purely operational objective and is
designed to improve the international timetables planning
procedure.
Corridor C uses the products and services of RailNetEurope
to offer a reliable service of high quality aligned with the
service provided on the other corridors. For example,
thanks to the OSS (One-Stop-Shop) format, rail companies
now only have to apply to one infrastructure manager for
an international train path.
The OSS is the point of contact of rail companies looking for
more information on the availability, costs, and technical
data of railway lines and terminals.
In addition, RNE defines the principles and methods of
allocation of capacity and operation and, on the other
hand, makes computer tools (Europtirails, Pathfinder,
EICIS) available. The EEIG and its members apply these
principles and methods and use the RNE computer tools
within the specific operational framework of the corridor.

Tools RNE
Source: website www.railneteurope.com

10
10

Results 2009
In spite of the economic crisis and a marked decline in traffic, Corridor C has given concrete results in both
the deployment of the ERTMS and the improvement in quality and interoperability. Various initiatives have
been set up to make rail companies more efficient. In 2009, the EEIG tackled every obstacle in order to
improve products, services, and cooperation between all the parties.
Finally, in 2009, Corridor C met its promotion aims by approaching the market and its clients via various
actions in order to make its range of services (OSS, Pricing, etc.) known.

ERTMS/ETCS COMMITTEE
The European Train Control
System (ETCS) is a signalling,
control and safety system
designed to replace the various
national “control command”
systems throughout Europe,
including those at present
equipping Corridor C.
The choice has been made
to use version 2.3.0d of the
ERTMS/ETCS specifications on
the Corridor infrastructure, this
being the only legal version at
present available, approved by
the European authorities on 13
and 14 February 2008.

Before the definition and
launch of the European
corridors, the European
implementation of ETCS
followed essentially national
logic.
The wealth of the ETCS
specifications, its capacity
for parameterisation, and
the signalling philosophies
on which it is superimposed
have the corollary risk that
their implementation may
cause interoperability
problems between networks.

The Corridor is to be equipped
with level 1, for which the
ground-to-train data is transmit
-ted via beacons (Eurobeacons)
installed on the track.
Initially, the ERTMS is superimposed on the existing national systems to enable the
railway companies to migrate
their rolling stock gradually
to the new European system.
Eventually,
these
national
systems will be deactivated, via
national schedules and logic.

Sylvain Mosmann,
Coordinator of the ERTMS/ETCS
Committee, Leader of the working
groups.

Aware of this risk, Corridor C has set up
the ERTMS/ETCS committee, the main
functions of which are:
1.

To define the technical aspects of the ETCS
requiring harmonisation or coordination
between those involved along the corridor.

2.

For each of these aspects, to set up a
working group made up of experts in the
field in question, establish the remit of this
group, monitor its work, arbitrate, and follow
up if necessary.

3.

To incorporate the problems handled in the
strategy of the infrastructure managers and
the rail companies represented in Corridor
C.

4.

To be a place for exchanges and coordination
between the national ETCS projects of the
Corridor members.

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11

Working-groups ERTMS

The ERTMS committee met on 20 February, 15 June, 7 September, and 8 December.
Additionally, the working groups met in line with their own schedules, at least bimonthly.

WORKING-GROUPS:
The “Train Categories” group, which supplied a proposal in 2008 (partly accepted by
the ERA) to define several interoperable train categories, has recommenced its work to
try to manage the problems of trains in the context of the dissipation of braking energy on
steep slopes. The group finally concluded that the categories accepted by the ERA would be
sufficient and that the problem of the steep gradients could be handled in the corridor other
than by the categories of train.
However, the group has been contacted by the equivalent Corridor D group, which is
producing a proposal on the same question and would like advice from Corridor C. The topic
is not yet closed at the end of 2009.
The “Harmonisation of operating rules” group completed its work of determining
the adjustment of the ERTMS operating rules proposed by ERA to the operational rules
existing on each network. The deliverable supplied proposes a certain number of additions
to the ERTMS specifications, in particular the display of additional text messages to turn
the information at present supplied to the drivers by fixed panels alongside the track into
in-cabin signalling. The next stage consists of submitting these proposals to the standards
authorities of each country.
The “Braking Curves and Safety Margins” group has the aim of determining tables of
braking curves and the safety factors applicable to the interoperable trains in the Corridor.
In particular, the group is monitoring the modelling work in the European document on the
brake curves for the 3.0.0 version of the ERTMS specifications and it is seeking to make this
work available for use with version 2.3.0d, for ease of future coherency. The main problem
lies in the use of algorithms based on slightly different models by the “early adopters” of
train or ground systems.
The “Data Entry” sub-group is working on the risks associated with the picking up and
manual entry of data by the drivers. After having, in 2008, determined the data for which
the possible errors really generate risks, this year the group has worked on the possibilities
of reducing these risks to an acceptable level.

The members of the ERTMS committee and its technical working groups are representatives
and experts commissioned by the Infrastructure Managers and the Railway Companies
present in the Corridor or potential users. Their work is carried out with the regular
participation of representatives of the User Group ERTMS EEIG with the aim of ensuring
coherence with other corridors as far upstream as possible.
The provisional schedule for the deployment of the ETCS on the Corridor is given in the
Appendix.

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12

Photos ® Infrabel

Quality & Operability

The Quality and Interoperability aspects of the Corridor C ERTMS migration project, were modified in the course of
2009. In order to increase the efficiency of the actions and reduce the operating costs, it was decided to merge the 13
volunteer sub-working groups and transmit their missions to the Corridor C’s permanent team. The latter have the targets
of implementing the different activities permitting optimum use of Corridor C by improving the competitiveness of rail
freight.
In order to avoid work redundancy, close cooperation is in fact being sought with international organisations such as
RailNetEurope and the UIC. On the other hand, the work modules of the Quality and Interoperability group are trying to
import this work to benefit Corridor C in so far as it is relevant and is available within the timescales of the Corridor C
EEIG. They are also helping Corridor C to achieve its aims.

IN 2009, PRIORITY WAS GIVEN TO :
PREPARING A COHERENT OFFER
This offer was formalised in
the form of a Paths Catalogue,
which is available to any rail
company on the RailNetEurope
site and the Corridor C site.
This
catalogue
was
also
distributed at the “C the Use,
Use the C” event held by
Corridor C on 20 October 2009.
The path catalogue is also
availa ble on the website of the
Corridor C: www.corridorc.eu
and the website of RNE : www.
railneteurope.com.

COMMUNICATION AND
COORDINATION OF WORKS ZONES

Scheduled and unscheduled
work along the corridor is
a problem for the smooth
running of trains. Corridor
C, being aware of this, has
launched an initiative for
pooling knowledge.
The approach is to list the very
short term, medium term, and
long term works. With regard
to the medium and long term,
Corridor C uses RNE procedure
X-24. For the very short term,
a specific action has been
drawn up.
After this necessary stage of
exchanging information, the
team will harmonise the works
zones so that the traffic on the
corridor is more fluid.

BETTER COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN
TRAFFIC CONTROL CENTRES
Within the RNE, the Corridor
Manager has set up a “Paths
Harmonization
Across
the
Border” procedure between
Infrabel, RFF, CFL and ProRail.
This procedure describes the
organisations on either side
of the border and lists the
services and people involved.
This procedure essentially aims
at allocating paths within the
framework of the annual and ad
hoc service.
With regard to the allocation
of last minute paths or late
alterations of paths due to
works, a specific procedure has
had to be carried out for the
French territory. After several
modifications, this procedure
will be available in 2010 under
the name IG TR1 - CO 2666.
These two procedures should
enable Corridor C to provide a
faster response to applications
for paths.

Photo ® Infrabel

A 750 METRE TRAIN

MONITORING

QUALITY

STANDARD

THE

IMPROVEMENT

With
the
assistance
of
a consultancy firm, an
investment project has been
carried out to permit the
travel and garaging of 750
metre trains over the whole
length of the corridor. This
project was approved by
the Management of each
infrastructure manager and
confirmed by an investment
plan. This plan provides for
standard movement of 750
metre trains from 2016.

SYSTEM

750M TRAIN

QUALITY

AND

Corridor C is taking part in
both the UIC EPR tests and
the UIC Train Performance
Management. With regard
to
Train
Performance
Management, the team
was trained in December
2009.
It is made up of a
Performance Coordinator
(Infrabel), which manages
the link with a team of
national
Performance
Managers (RFF, CFL and
PRORAIL). The team’s first
mission is to improve the
quality of the information
present in Europtirails in
order to guarantee the
relevance of the data
obtained. Once this stage
has been passed, the team
will be required to detect
the reasons underlying
“non quality” and eliminate
them.

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13

Services

CORRIDOR MANAGEMENT
Corridors play a vital part in the economy of Europe. In recent years, several European
initiatives have led to the preparation of corridors. The efficient management of a corridor is
designed to make international traffic more efficient and more fluid. In order to concentrate
the efforts and chances of success, a pragmatic approach has been taken in order to merge
certain redundant initiatives.
The connection between the corridors of RailNetEurope and those of ERTMS is to be seen in
this context. On 4 December 2008, a crucial step was taken, consisting of creating a synergy
between the technical resources (the ERTMS corridors) and the operational processes (the
RNE corridors). The operational missions of corridor manager 5 RNE were thus transferred to
the Corridor C EEIG.
For Corridor C, the fact of cooperating closely with RailNetEurope guarantees that the
processes will always be in line with a European vision. For RailNetEurope, the advantage is
that the working groups (timetable compilers, One Stop Shop, etc.) are, in particular, better
supervised and better supported in their work. The management of Corridor C would like to
offer the market efficient services.

Photo ® RFF

14
14

Corridor Manager,
Patrick Nguyen

Services

PATH CATALOGUE
In order to guarantee efficient usage of the infrastructure capacity, the infrastructure managers are producing a catalogue
of preconstructed paths, specifically for freight traffic. These paths are produced on the basis of optimisation of capacity
and are published 11 months before the annual timetable changeover, as required by Directive 2001/14.
The main aim of the paths catalogue is to assist with the preparation of requests for paths for goods traffic. Similarly,
the catalogue reflects the present and future needs of the clients. To do this, a study of the existing situation has been
carried out by the Corridor Manager to ensure that the offer matches the needs of the clients. The offer of “All In” paths
has therefore been guided by this study.
Within the framework of Corridor C and in agreement with the targets set by the Corridor C’s Assembly, the paths
catalogue prepared in 2009 for services in 2011 includes several changements. In particular, there is the alternative offer
of Antwerp-Basel paths via Mont Saint Martin or the opportinity to make operational stops at Bertrix to reduce costs.
Between Antwerp Noord and Basel, the 2011 catalogue offers 10 pairs of paths per day with journey times of between
10 hours 40 minutes and 12 hours.
For the Antwerp-Lyon section, offer matches demand. The duration of the journey varies between 12 hours 15 minutes
and 15 hours.
Following agreements with the Managing Board of RNE, the 2011 catalogue also provides for the paths to continue to
Rotterdam (Kijfhoek and Maasvlaakte).
Finally, the path catalogue will be available on the Corridor C website and the RailNetEurope website. As in 2009, the path
catalogue will be presented to the OSS and the Accounts Managers of the various Infrastructure Managers. It will also be
distributed to the rail companies and logistics operators.

Path Catalogue 2011

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15

Services

OSS
The One Stop Shop concept translates the wish of the infrastructure managers to make rail traffic easier. Its aim is to
simplify exchanges with them, with regard to requests for international train paths and general and operational questions
relating to the corridor.
Each Infrastructure Manager has an OSS structure.
Via the OSS network, Corridor C offers:
Customer support and information on the full range of services and products of the Corridor Infrastructure Managers;
Supply of all data needed to access the infrastructures of the various Infrastructure Managers within the RNE;
Appropriate processing of applications for international train paths;
A guarantee that the applications for the next period are taken into account in the annual timetable procedure;
Control of the paths over the whole journey.
The OSS can also provide information on costs relating to the use of the infrastructure and the train movements.
The OSS network on Corridor C is provided by Infrabel in Belgium, by ACF (Administration des Chemins de Fer) in
Luxembourg, by RFF in France, and by Trasse CH in Switzerland.
Thanks to this OSS network, Corridor C fulfils the concept of “One Face To The Customer” and provides assistance with
“Cross Borders” operations, based on transparent, confidential, non-discriminatory procedures.

ONE STOP SHOP NETWORK
Infrabel
Phone: +32 2 432 29 11
E-Mail: oss-rne@infrabel.be
URL: www.railaccess.be

RFF
Phone: +33 1 5394 3333
Fax:
+33 1 5394 3822
E-Mail: oss@rff.fr
URL: www.rff.fr

ACF

ACF

Phone:+352 26 19 12 22
Fax: +352 26 19 12 29
E-Mail: claude.lambert@acf.etat.lu

SBB CFF FFS
Phone: +41 512 20 50 87
Fax:
+41 512 20 51 51
Email: onestopshop@sbb.ch
URL: www.sbb.ch
Photos:
Technical Meeting - Horairistes RNE
Paris - June, 22nd 2009

16
16

Services

STANDARD 750 M TRAINS
750 metre trains are a European standard, and meet one of the needs of the Railway Undertaking in their quest for
greater profitability. While movement of 750 metre trains is standard in the Luxembourg and French part itineray of the
corridor, movements of this type of train on the Belgian network is authorised as an exception.
An investment plan has been produced for the whole corridor in order to permit 750 metre trains to travel by 2016.
Nevertheless, 750 metre trains will be authorised gradually from 2010. At present, trains this length can be moved at a
rate of 3 at night on certain lines on the Belgian network, including some on the Corridor C.

EQUIPMENT AVAILABLE ALONG THE CORRIDOR
Via studies and meetings, in 2009 Corridor C produced an inventory of the logistics and operational structures along the
corridor.
Similarly, the study of 750 metre train traffic has made it possible to take stock of the investments required for more
efficient use of the Corridor.
This inventory will make it possible in 2010 to present the clients with all the possibilities offered along Corridor C whether
in terms of garaging, logistical operations, or tanking.

PATHFINDER
Pathfinder is a web application provided by RNE for the Infrastructure Managers, capacity allocation bodies and Railway
Undertaking. This application manages requests and responses for international train paths.
Although Pathfinder is used frequently in relation to the “passenger” service, it was little used for “freight”, in view of the
working methods inherent in this activity. In fact, the requests made in terms of annual freight service are modified very
frequently. Pathfinder was not designed to cope with such large numbers of alterations. The number of requests for “ad
hoc” paths is much greater than the number of paths requested on an annual basis.
Following a working meeting concerning Pathfinder, the Corridor made available comments and suggestions to improve
the product. In December 2009, a new version of this tool was presented; it takes into account the comments made by
the Corridor.
The main changes are the use of this tool for ad hoc orders, and a greater integration with the existing systems. We
should emphasise on the fact that an integration platform has been developed by RNE in order to open up Pathfinder to
the various national ordering systems. A specific action will be carried out in 2010 for more intensive use of Pathfinder
among the Infrastructure Managers membres of the Corridor C.

EUROPTIRAILS
Europtirails (EOPT) permits tracking and tracing of international trains in real time, and thus includes the corridor. In
2009, Europtirails was combined with a reporting module, “Oracle Discover”. This makes reports on traffic punctuality
available. The discrepancy in relation to the timetable and the reasons for this are the basis for the system of reporting
and identifying problems. The data on the discrepancies are submitted by all the infrastructure managers present in
Corridor C. However, only RFF sends the data on the delay reason to Europtirails.
The setting up of Train Performance Management (TPM) and the more intensive use of Europtirails show that the quality
of the information is not satisfactory. The main reasons are the renumbering of trains in France and the incorrect data
transfer between the national systems and EOPT.
In 2010, the TPM working group has the aim of improving the quality of the data. The reasons for delays will be sent to
EOPT by Infrabel and CFL as from March 2010. This will allow to analyse data in order to discover and resolve quality
problems improving the quality of services provided for freight.

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17

Communication

“C THE USE, USE THE C” EVENT
In order to set up a suitable service of high quality on the routes
in question, it is essential to know the specific requirements of
the various stakeholders. This is why, on 20 October, Corridor C
held an event under the title “C the use, use the C” in Antwerp.
This event gathered the representatives of the European
Commission, the Railway Undertaking and the sea ports.
The outcome was fruitful exchanges between all the parties, in
particular at the productive session “Meeting You”. Participants
who wished, were able to meet on a one to one basis to a
member of the governing board of the Corridor C.
Representing the European vision, Mr Karel Vinck, ERTMS
(European Rail Traffic Management System) coordinator,
mentioned the interest of the deployment of the ERTMS
system throughout Europe.
At the event, the Corridor management presented their
implementation plan for the movement of 750 metre trains
from 2016 over the whole corridor. This initiative was
enthusiastically welcomed by all parties.
In fact, this project makes it possible to keep step with
demand on the market and strengthen the competitive
position of rail in comparison with road traffic.
This meeting was the first stage in the Corridor C process
of listening to market needs in order to improve its offer
of service quality.
Event “C the use, use the C”
Speaker: Karel Vinck - Coordinator of
the European ERTMS Corridors

WEBSITE CORRIDOR C
The Corridor C official website, www.corridorc.eu,
was launched in October 2009 and contains complete
information on Corridor C and its development.
It means that the stakeholders can be kept informed of the
current projects and the results obtained on Corridor C. All
the information is available in French and English.

BROCHURE
A brochure was published at the beginning of 2009 to
inform the Corridor C’s stakeholders of our values and
present Corridor C, its ambitions, its links with RailNet
Europe and the European Commission.

18
18

;7I?
I?;H
I?
;H"<7
<7IJ
IJ;H
;H""I7<;
<;H
<;

Netherlands
Antwerpen !
Mechelen !

! Leuven

Belgium
Ottignies !
Châtelet !

Gembloux

!

! Namur

Dinant

Germany

!

!

Libramont

Luxembourg

Athus

!

! Bettembourg
! Thionville
! Metz

!

! Nancy

Strasbourg !

France
! Culmont-Chalindrey

Mulhouse

!
!
Basel

Dijon !

Corridor A

Toul

Switzerland
Chalon-sur-Saône !

! Bourg-en-Bresse
!

Italy

Ambérieu en Bugey

!

Lyon Corridor D
0

25

50

100
km

19

Finance

The EEIG’s budget for 2009, approved by the Assembly on December 15th, 2008, is 415.320 EUR.
Financial ressources came from the member’s contributions and the european subsidies.
The detailed figures may be consulted in the financial statement.

20
20

APPENDIX : PLANNING ETCS V.2.3.0D LEVEL 1 MIGRATION
IMPLEMENTATION ETCS CORRIDOR C

France

Suisse

Rémilly

Metz

Woippy

Thionville

Bettembourg

Luxembourg

Arlon

Libramont

Luxembourg

Namur

Gembloux

Ottignies

Antwerpen
Noord

Leuven

Aarschot

Belgique



Charleroi
Chatelet

Zeebrugge
Gent

Basel
Mutenz

Mulhouse

Colmar

Strasbourg

Toul

Onville

Longuyon

Mont St Martin

Athus

Bertrix

Dinant

Fleurus

Mechelen

A’pen Berchem



Dijon

Feluy
La Louvière

Balen
Brugge

Légende















Lyon










Corridor D
Valencia

















Ambérieu





Corridor D
Budapest

Sibelin



Athus
Virton

Bertrix

Dinant

Namur

Libramont

Gembloux

Ottignies
Fleurus

Mechelen

Leuven

Aaschort

Lier
Duffel

Antwerpen
Noord

Antwerpen - Berchem

IMPLEMENTATION ETCS CORRIDOR C - DETAILS IN BELGIUM

Zeebrugge
Gent
Balen
Brugge

2012-2013

Charleroi
Chatelet
Feluy
La Louvière

2013-2014
2014-2015
2017-2018 (L 162)

21
21

This document is published on the sole responsibility of the author. The European Union shall in no circumstances be
held responsible for the use made of the information contained herein.

Contact

One Stop Shop
Belgium: oss-rne@infrabel.be
Luxembourg: oss@railinfra.lu
Switserland: onestopshop@sbb.ch
France: oss@rff.fr
22

Headoffice
9, Place de la Gare
L–1616 Luxembourg
Info@corridorc.eu
Corridor Manager
Patrick Nguyen
patrick.nguyen@corridorc.eu
Tel. + 32 499 59 04 12