Source: https://clubferoviar.ro/semiremorci-pe-tren-railport-arad-demonstratie/
By Andrei Dumitru 22 May 2026
Railport Arad presented at Curtici a live demonstration of a solution that allows the loading of semi-trailers on wagons that can normally not be lifted with the crane. The demonstration took place during the technical visit of the Club Feroviar conference in Arad, where István Wagner, CEO – Railport Arad, spoke about the increase of intermodal transport and about the needs of specialized rolling stock.
The solution is important for combined transport because most of the road semi-trailers in Europe are not designed for vertical lifting. Typically, the intermodal transport of semi-trailers is based on specially constructed units, fitted with reinforced points for attachment with terminal equipment.
At Railport Arad, the demonstration showed how an “unmacracy” semi-trailer can be transferred to a special wagon using an intermediate structure, described in the presentation as a “shell”, which fits into the profile of the wagon. Thus, semi-trailers which do not have the necessary reinforcements for direct lifting can still be introduced into the intermodal rail chain.
Railport Arad prepares a new expansion
During the conference, István Wagner reminded that Railport Arad, part of Curtici Cargo Center, is the largest intermodal land terminal in Romania. The terminal became the national leader after its expansion in 2016, and the company is now preparing a new development stage.
Railport Arad started from an initial investment of 25 million euros and provides regular connections with intermodal terminals in Western Europe, including Liège, Antwerpen, Duisburg, Lambach, Lovosice and Budapest. Operations of the terminal are carried out permanently, 24/24 and 7/7.
The new expansion, scheduled to start in June 2026, has a total value of 9.5 million euros without VAT, with a non-reimbursable component of 80%, through the Transport Program 2021-2027. The project aims to expand the terminal on an additional land of 3.5 hectares, attached to the 10.3 hectares already used.
The works will include the extension of all seven railway lines in the premises to the corridor parameters, namely 740 meters, the expansion of the technical and operational area, the installation of OCR gates on the road and rail, the introduction of a new terminal operating information system, the construction of a photovoltaic park for its own consumption and an office building.
Why semi-trailers matter in intermodal transport
Istvan Wagner explained that intermodal transport has been called the "future" of freight transport for years, but for active operators in the field it is already a "continuous presence". However, its development depends on the availability of the right rolling stock and the ability of the terminals to handle as many types of intermodal transport units as possible.
At Railport Arad arrives several types of specialized wagons, including wagons for containers and articulated wagons for semi-trailers. The presentation indicated, among other things, Sgnss 60’, Sgmrss 90’ and Sdggmrss wagons, the latter intended for the transport of semi-trailers.
The difference is important: on a wagon capable of carrying semi-trailers can be loaded and containers, but the other way is not valid. For this reason, investing in wagons for semi-trailers can provide more flexibility to railway operators, even if it entails higher costs.
Intermodal transport has doubled in the European Union
According to the data presented at the , the volume of goods transported intermodal in the European Union doubled between 2010 and 2025, reaching last year about 66 billion tons-kilometer. Over the same period, road freight transport increased by about 10%, indicating a much more accelerated pace of development for combined transport.
The increase was also supported by the expansion of the fleet of intermodal wagons in Europe, which climbed from about 45,000 to 70,000 wagons in the period under review. At the same time, the share of wagons with a load capacity of 22.5 tons on the axle increased from 65% to 95%, which shows that almost the entire European fleet has reached this standard.
István Wagner also mentioned a new European framework on support for the purchase of rolling stock, which could facilitate investment in wagons for small companies and start-ups, with the possibility for member states to take over the necessary investment guarantee.
The West of Romania, is acting intermodal towards Europe
In the case of Romania, the discussion about the intermodal cannot be separated from the railway infrastructure. Wagner showed that most intermodal trains coming from Western Europe stop in terminals in the west of the country, especially in the Arad-Curtici area, where there is already access to European corridor parameters.
To the Curtici station can be reached by 740 meters trains, including the locomotive, and with a mass of 2,000 crude tons. Currently, Railport Arad is forced to break the trains of 740 meters, but after the implementation of the expansion project all seven railway lines in the terminal will reach this length.
The terminal operates regular links with several European destinations. According to the presentation, four pairs of trains per week are provided on the Curtici–Liège relationship, seven on Curtici–Duisburg, three on Curtici–Lambach, two on Curtici–Antwerpen, one on Curtici–Lovosice and two on Curtici–Budapest.
A terminal ready for larger volumes
Railport Arad has four portal cranes on tires, three reach-stackers and three terminal tractors, all brand Kalmar, which allows it to handle containers, semi-trailers, flat racks and mobile boxes. The terminal has five industrial rail lines with useful length between 620 and 650 meters below the cranes, which allows the parallel operation of four complete trains.
Curtici Cargo Center completes the work of the terminal through storage services, rail maneuver to CFR Curtici station, agency services, expeditions and first and last mile trucks. The complex also includes a secure parking lot for 200 trucks, spaces for drivers, restaurant and a maintenance centre for the carriages.
Through the planned expansion and solutions such as the one demonstrated live at Curtici, Railport Arad tries to increase the flexibility of intermodal transport. The stake is clear: the more types of semi-trailers can be transferred to the train, the higher the traffic base becomes that can be attracted from the road to the rail.