Van der Vlist moves the VDV TramTrain project

When a transport project cannot be moved by road, finding the right solution means looking beyond standard equipment. For the VDV TramTrain project, we worked closely with the customer to develop a transport concept that was not only technically feasible, but also more efficient and cost effective than conventional alternatives.

The VDV TramTrain programme is the largest contract in the history of Stadler, involving up to 504 CITYLINK tram-trains for operators across Germany and Austria. Although the VDV abbreviation refers to Verband Deutscher Verkehrsunternehmen rather than Van der Vlist, the project felt like a natural fit from the very beginning. Not just because of the name, but also because of the unique logistical challenges involved.

For the transport of the first 246 units from Spain to their final destinations in southern Germany and Austria, we challenged ourselves to find the best solution, taking the large dimension and the grand number of units into account. With the vehicles measuring 37.2 metres long, 2.65 metres wide and weighing between 61 and 64 tonnes, we invested in a tailored and efficient solution that best serves our client.

The key challenge was the vehicle length. Existing rail mafis available on the market, including those commonly used by shipping lines, were simply not long enough to safely accommodate the 37.2-metre-long tram-trains. Rather than accepting that limitation, we developed our own modular design. Our engineering team therefore created rail mafis with adjustable lengths, allowing us to safely transport the exceptionally long tram-trains while also creating a versatile solution for future projects.

By investing in a tailored engineering solution, we were able to create a transport method that significantly reduces operational complexity and delivers a more economical solution throughout the project lifecycle.

At the Port of Bilbao, the CITYLINK vehicles arrive on trailers and are transferred onto specially designed modular rail mafis that we engineered and manufactured specifically for this project. Once secured, the mafis are loaded onto a RoRo vessel for shipment to Antwerp.

Upon arrival in Antwerp, our team carries out the transfer of the tram-trains from the rail mafis onto the rail network using our own technicians, equipment and purpose-designed technical solutions. We then complete the final leg of the journey by rail using locomotives and brake wagons, delivering the tram-trains directly to their destinations in Germany and Austria.

Projects like the VDV TramTrain programme demonstrate the importance of understanding a customer's objectives beyond the transport itself. By combining engineering expertise with multimodal transport solutions, we develop approaches that fit the cargo, the route and the customer's long-term requirements.

Because at Van der Vlist, we have The Power to Care.