High-speed train in tow

Before a train can enter regular passenger service, it has to prove what it can do: on the line, under real conditions and in accordance with the requirements of the relevant infrastructure. This is exactly why RCG brought an Italian high-speed train operated by Trenitalia, part of Italy’s state railway, to Austria. The Frecciarossa 1000 trainset is being tested on Austrian infrastructure – an important step on the way to approval for passenger service.

From Italy to Austria 

The train’s journey began in Osmannoro, Italy. From there, the trainset was transported with a towing coupling via Tarvisio and on to Vienna-Kledering. Coupling wagons were used to ensure that the high-speed trainset could be safely integrated into the transport operation. These were also needed in Austria for several more days after delivery for the subsequent test runs. For RCG, this meant that the transport did not end with the train’s arrival, but also included the provision and coordination of the required equipment.

Special transport by rail 

Transports of this kind are far from standard operations. Vehicle, route, technical requirements and time windows all have to be precisely coordinated. Especially on an international route such as the one via Tarvisio, experience, planning reliability and close coordination between all parties involved are essential. RCG organised the entire transport as an end-to-end logistics solution: from transport planning, including all the necessary approvals in Italy, through to delivery in Austria.

Ready for the next step 

In Austria, the trainset is now being used for test runs on the local infrastructure. These include checks such as speed and running behaviour – an important step on the way to approval for passenger service. For RCG, the focus was on providing the right transport solution: getting the vehicle safely to where it was needed for the next stage in the approval process. In doing so, RCG demonstrates that rail freight can do far more than traditional freight transport – including reliably bringing complex vehicles onto the rail network.

16.06.2026