The LOHR system incorporates simple transfer terminals of different lengths with ground systems to enable wagons to be opened "at an angle".
Ground systems
Due to their technology and the fact that standard semi-trailers can only be loaded horizontally, LOHR wagons require specialised terminals equipped with hydraulic ground systems making it possible to open the pockets of the wagons.
The different types of terminal
Plug & Play Terminal
It is a temporary terminal which can be installed on an existing railway track without the need for civil engineering works.
This type of terminal makes it possible to open the pockets of 1 to 2 double LOHR wagons simultaneously. It is possible to deal with 1 to 2 complete 700 m trains in each direction per day by streaming the wagons on the Plug & Play Terminal one after the other.
Small Terminal
It is a small, low cost terminal which can be laid out on an existing site with a minimum of civil engineering work.
This type of terminal makes it possible to open the pockets of several LOHR wagons simultaneously. It is possible to deal with 1 to 4 complete 700 m trains in each direction per day by streaming the wagons on the Small Terminal one after the other.
Medium Terminal
This medium-sized terminal enables the pockets of half a train to be opened simultaneously. After dealing with the first half the train is moved about 300 m to deal with the second half. This type of terminal offers a good investment cost/performance ratio and good processing capacity. Unloading and then loading of a complete train of LOHR wagons can be performed in about 3 hours on such a terminal.
Full Terminal
This large terminal can open all the pockets of an entire train simultaneously. This type of terminal offers the highest level of performance and high processing capacity. Unloading and then loading of a complete train of LOHR wagons can be performed in 1.5 hours on such a terminal.
Existing terminals
- Aiton terminal (Chambéry, France): in service since 2003
- Orbassano terminal (Turin, Italy): in service since 2003
- Le Boulou terminal (Perpignan, France): in service since 2007
- Bettembourg terminal (Luxembourg): in service since 2007
Terminals under construction
Terminal in the Port of Calais
This terminal, built by the Port of Calais and designed for unaccompanied semi-trailer traffic connecting with ferries going to and from England, will make it possible to process up to four 700 m trains per day in each direction. The planned date for this terminal to come into service is September 2015.
Dudelange-Bettembourg Terminal
This terminal is being built by Chemins de Fer Luxembourgeois within the framework of the creation of a large mixed "Combined Transport - Rail Motorway" terminal which will be the major HUB for the European transport network leaving from Luxembourg. This terminal will make it possible to process sixteen 700 m trains per day in each direction. The planned date for this terminal to come into service is March 2016.