Strengthening Cross-Border Freight: A Three-Day Insight Tour in Basel’s Marshalling Hubs

By our colleague Dagmar Schindler (DB InfraGO), National Traffic Control Center

When the newly established Train Performance Management of the merged Rail Freight Corridor North Sea – Rhine – Mediterranean convened in Basel in early February, the city became a temporary hub for European cross-border rail expertise. Representatives from seven infrastructure managers gathered to discuss how the corridor can better monitor and improve operational performance—particularly punctuality and border dwell times.

My own trip to Basel began with a touch of winter chaos: snowfall in the Rhine‑Main region caused delays, while Switzerland remained surprisingly snow-free. Once in Basel Bad, the DB meeting facility—situated just across the border—served as the venue for our discussions. Central to the meeting was the question of how to establish a more consistent European dialogue on operational KPIs and how to integrate existing QCO (Quality Circle Operation) groups into corridor-wide processes.

A Glimpse Behind the Operations: Basel Bad Marshalling Yard

A day before the official meeting, I visited DB InfraGO’s operational teams at Basel Bad Rbf. Particular attention went to the newly introduced role of Anlagendisponent (AnDi), a function designed to strengthen real-time coordination in the marshalling yard. These infrastructure coordinators at DB InfraGO manage facility allocation and oversee cross-border train and shunting operations in cooperation with SBB Infra and the control centre in Karlsruhe.

Part of the site walk-through included the modernised F‑Group, operational since 2024. It is a key component of the extensive Karlsruhe–Basel line upgrade and extension. With two dedicated freight tracks between Haltingen and Basel Bad Bf and a new 500‑series track group, the infrastructure is designed to streamline freight flows and absorb tasks previously handled at Weil (Rhein) station.

SBB Muttenz: A Swiss Freight Stronghold with Historic Roots

Our third day took us to Muttenz, home to one of the most important Swiss marshalling yards for north–south freight traffic. The Basel I facility, built between 1924 and 1929, still operates according to its original principles—an impressive testament to its robust design. The second yard, SBB RB II Basel, opened in 1976, complements the system by focusing on transit and international freight services. Both installations are operated by SBB Infrastructure’s operations division.

The SBB Infra colleagues welcomed me warmly and guided me through the site. Our exchange covered a wide range of topics: operational concepts, product categories such as Express, single‑wagonload and transit services, long‑term and daily planning, construction coordination and the rising number of railway undertakings—often accompanied by challenges caused by changing cooperation partners.

Beyond Tracks and Timetables: Why Personal Exchange Matters

As always, the personal element played an important role. Over a traditional Swiss lunch, we had the chance to share perspectives beyond purely operational matters. Although informal exchanges are sometimes underestimated, they are essential for building trust and maintaining smooth cooperation—especially in cross-border freight production.

Since 2018, the BaPro (Bahnproduktion Schweiz–Deutschland) group has served as a joint platform between infrastructure managers and railway undertakings. With its focus on active operational steering and continuous quality monitoring, BaPro CH–D remains a crucial driver for improving freight performance between the two countries.