TICKET TO RIDE
ACTS & ERS Cabride +
Europort to RSC Rotterdam

The Rail Service Centre at Rotterdam lies just to the west of Kijfhoek marshalling yard - the largest in the Netherlands. The RSC is integrated into the eastern dock complex, it’s where containers from barges and smaller ships are landed. Container trains from a huge variety of rail operators call here on their way to or from Europe's largest container loading facility: Maasvlakte Delta terminal. Inbound from Europe- containers are unloaded, outward bound to the mainland- containers are picked up. Turn round is tight!

We start our run at Delta and follow the Port Line to the RSC with a GM 66. We pass heavy ore trains inbound from Germany, Railion container trains, wagonload freight, unit chemical trains and much more! It's an industrial landscape with its own particular beauty; busy with trip freights heading for Kijfhoek. The line is undergoing modernisation as part of the Betuwe route development.

Electrification masts are in situ in places, and a double track tunnel is being built to avoid a single track lifting bridge, a shame in a way as it's a spectacular crossing - we take it, and watch other trains do the same. We queue up to enter the RSC - like London Heathrow with trains rather than planes! When we get a slot, we ease in and loading starts almost before we grind to a halt! Time for a quick look around, then back to Delta with ACTS Class 62 Belgian diesel. Next week she returns home, but she gives us a different perspective of the Port Line before she goes!

This is not just a Cabride, there is much more - none of it would have been possible without the help of ECT Maasvlakte, Short Lines, the RSC Rotterdam and ACTS.

DVD Info

Region: 0
Running Time: 65 minutes