The future of the railways is Europe. The SNCF is setting up in Brussels to be close to the key decision makers and to keep things moving forward.

Just take a look at freight traffic. The major freight transportation routes are now European. Goods arrive from Asia at the big Northern ports (Antwerp, Rotterdam), and are distributed across Europe by high-speed rail. The other big freight route runs from Eastern Europe. As for high-speed rail - Eurostar, Thalys and TGV Est Européen are bringing the European Union closer with every year that passes.

Trains without borders! That's what we're talking about. But history is against us. The European rail networks were all developed nationally using different technologies. And that means both the locomotive and the driver, whose licence is not valid outside their own country, have to be changed at every border. This issue is called 'interoperability' and it is moving forward as quickly as common technological standards can be set up.

The lights are green... The European Union wants to revitalise the railways and bring them to the forefront of transport options. The European Parliament and the Council regularly pass legislation to promote train transport, which is making huge strides forward through the 'railway packages'.

The SNCF is determined to be a part of the debate. It has had a representation in Brussels since 1992, but has now decided to put its weight behind it. All its European departments are coming together to form the SNCF's Permanent Representation in Brussels. And Jean-Michel Dancoisne, the former Managing Director of Thalys is at the head of the team. The idea is to bring the SNCF's expertise to EU policymakers and promote European ecomobility. 'More than ever, Europe is an opportunity for the railways, and the railways are an opportunity for Europe' is Guillaume Pepy's challenge to MEPs. It's full-steam ahead for European transport.