Our history
From the opening of the Alpine Rail Motorway in 2003 to the inauguration of our new services from Mâcon on March 12th, the history of rail motorways, guided by innovation, shows how this means of transport has proven itself in Europe and keeps on developing.
Opening of Mouguerre terminal
Opening of Sète terminal with horizontal loading technique
Lauch of the new rail motorway Services from Mâcon
On March 12th 2019, VIIA launches its new rail motorway services Mâcon – Calais and Mâcon – Le Boulou. The official inauguration on March 19th gathers the Chamber of Commerce from Saône-et-Loire and our Customer Alainé.
Inauguration of the line BARCELONA – BETTEMBOURG
On February 19th 2019, VIIA launches a line between Barcelona and Bettembourg in Luxembourg. Its is the first rail motorway from Spain. It is also the first time P400 trailers are loaded on trains from the Iberian Peninsula.
Inauguration of the line Orbassano – Calais
On November 6th 2018, VIIA inaugurates its new line between Orbassano (in the suburbs of Turin) and its terminal in the port of Calais in presence of Elisabeth Borne, Minister of Transports and Guillaume Pepy. This new service adds up to the existing ones to Spain.
VIIA Britanica opens
In March 2016, VIIA launches the VIIA Britanica rail line connecting Le Boulou to the Port of Calais, which directly connects to the United Kingdom by ferry using the first RoRo Rail service in Europe.
VIIA connect LB is created
The company VIIA Connect LB takes over the operation of the Le Boulou rail motorway terminal near Perpignan. VIIA keeps “Connect”ing rail and roads, as well as sites dedicated to rail motorways.
New record for
rail motors
Rail motorway services pass the mark of 10 billion tonne-kilometres transported since their creation.
VIIA connect BA is created
The company VIIA Connect BA takes over the operation of the Bourgneuf-Aiton rail motorway terminal near Chambéry. Its tasks include rail convoy reception, verification, and dispatch.
Crossing the pyrenees
VIIA successfully performs a full-scale circulation test to cross the France-Spain border. Trains carrying a load of 2,600 tonnes reach Le Boulou and Figueras through the Perthus Tunnel.
First long distance trains in Europe
VIIA democratises the circulation of “long trains” on the rail motorway between Le Boulou and Bettembourg, and thus operates the first 850-m-long trains in Europe, a technological innovation prowess.
VIIA is born
SNCF Logistics reinforces its European rail motorway network and launches the brand VIIA to manage SNCF (AFA and Lorry-Rail) rail motorway activities and develop new lines in Europe.
Lorry-Rail opens
Launch of the rail motorway Lorry-Rail, the longest in Europe, between Bettembourg (Luxembourg) and Le Boulou (border with Spain), in partnership with the CFL.
The alpine rail motorway opens
SNCF and Trenitalia get together to create the Alpine Rail Motorway (AFA)), the first rail motorway, enabling the transport of all types of semi-trailers by train between Aiton (Chambéry) and Orbassano (Turin).