Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer Luxembourgeois

Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer Luxembourgeois, commonly known as CFL, is the national railway company of Luxembourg. It was created in 1946 through the nationalisation and consolidation of the country's privately operated railway companies. CFL serves as the principal rail operator within Luxembourg and also participates in cross-border passenger and freight operations linking the country with Belgium, France and Germany. The company operates passenger trains across most of Luxembourg's railway network. Its publicly presented passenger network is organised around routes connecting Luxembourg City with northern, eastern, southern and western parts of the country, as well as international destinations such as Liège, Trier, Brussels, Thionville, Metz, Nancy, Athus and Longwy. The network includes branch routes to locations including Wiltz, Diekirch, Rumelange and Audun-le-Tiche. Cross-border services are operated either by CFL or in cooperation with neighbouring national railway companies, including SNCF in France, NMBS/SNCB in Belgium and Deutsche Bahn in Germany. Luxembourg's railway infrastructure comprises approximately 275 route-kilometres. Around 140 kilometres are double track and 135 kilometres are single track. The total track length is approximately 617 kilometres, of which about 576 kilometres are electrified at 25 kV, 50 Hz. The system uses standard gauge, allowing direct interoperability with the railways of all three neighbouring countries. The electrical interfaces vary at some borders, particularly with Germany, whose network uses 15 kV AC, while the French network uses the same 25 kV AC system and Belgium changes to 3 kV DC farther inside its territory. CFL's passenger fleet is predominantly electric and includes multiple-unit trains, electric locomotives and push-pull formations. Double-deck passenger trains form an important part of the modern fleet, supporting capacity on routes serving Luxembourg's commuter market. The company also maintains diesel locomotives for freight hauling and shunting. Passenger rail within Luxembourg is generally free of charge in second class, while first-class travel and international journeys remain subject to fares and ticketing rules. CFL is also involved in infrastructure development and network modernisation. A major project to double the track between Luxembourg railway station and Sandweiler-Contern was completed in 2019 after an extended construction programme. The project was intended to increase capacity and improve operational resilience on one of the country's important approaches to the capital. A separate, more direct railway connection between Luxembourg and Bettembourg has been planned for opening in 2027, subject to project delivery. The company is a major national employer and an important institution in Luxembourg's transport system. In 2023, it employed approximately 5,000 people, making it the country's largest corporate employer according to the cited reference material. CFL carried approximately 31.4 million passengers in 2025. Its role extends beyond operating trains: the organisation contributes to regional mobility, cross-border commuting, freight logistics and the integration of Luxembourg into the wider European rail network. CFL is a member of the International Union of Railways and uses Luxembourg's UIC country code, 82.

Luxembourg's railway system developed through a number of privately operated companies before the Second World War. In the post-war period, the government consolidated the sector as part of a broader nationalisation policy. CFL was established in 1946 as the national railway company, bringing the country's principal railway operations under a single national organisation. From its creation, CFL inherited responsibility for operating a geographically compact but internationally important railway system. Luxembourg is situated between Belgium, France and Germany, and its railways have consequently served both domestic mobility and cross-border transport. The network links Luxembourg City with the northern part of the country, the industrial and population centres of the south, the eastern corridor toward Germany and the western routes toward Belgium. International services have connected Luxembourg with destinations including Liège, Brussels, Trier, Thionville, Metz and Nancy, with services divided among CFL and partner railway companies from neighbouring states. The post-war railway system gradually shifted toward electrification and modern electric traction. Luxembourg's infrastructure uses standard gauge and, for most of the national network, 25 kV, 50 Hz electrification. This arrangement supports electric multiple-unit operation and locomotive-hauled services while permitting relatively straightforward connections with France and Belgium. Germany uses a different 15 kV AC system, making the German border an electrical transition point for some operations. CFL has therefore operated a mixed fleet suited to both electrified passenger services and non-passenger duties such as freight hauling and shunting. The company has progressively modernised its passenger operations. A substantial share of the contemporary fleet consists of electric multiple units and double-deck trains, which provide additional seating capacity for commuter flows into Luxembourg City. CFL passenger services cover the majority of the national network, while cross-border routes are coordinated with SNCF, NMBS/SNCB and Deutsche Bahn. In addition to passenger transport, CFL maintains locomotives and operational capability for freight and yard movements. Capacity expansion has been an important part of the company's more recent development. The route between Luxembourg railway station and Sandweiler-Contern was doubled in 2019 following a large infrastructure programme. The project was associated with a reported cost of 462 million euros and was intended to improve capacity and reliability on a heavily used corridor. A more direct line between Luxembourg and Bettembourg has been planned for opening in 2027, reflecting continuing efforts to address capacity constraints and improve the southern approach to the capital. CFL's public-service role has also been shaped by Luxembourg's fare policy. Domestic second-class train travel within Luxembourg is generally free of charge, while first-class travel and international journeys require payment. This policy makes CFL a visible component of national mobility policy as well as a conventional railway operator. By 2023, CFL employed around 5,000 people and was described in the reference material as Luxembourg's largest corporate employer. The company reported or was reported to have carried approximately 31.4 million passengers in 2025. Its current identity combines the historic role of a national railway with the operational demands of a modern, cross-border European transport provider. CFL is a member of the International Union of Railways and operates within a rail environment governed by Luxembourgish and European technical, safety and interoperability requirements.

1. 2025Passenger volume of approximately 31.4 million

   CFL carried approximately 31.4 million passengers during 2025, reflecting sustained use of its domestic and cross-border passenger services.

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2. 2023Workforce of approximately 5,000 employees

   CFL employed approximately 5,000 people, making it one of Luxembourg's largest employers and, according to the reference material, the country's largest corporate employer.

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3. 2019Completion of Luxembourg–Sandweiler-Contern track doubling

   A major project to provide double track between Luxembourg railway station and Sandweiler-Contern was completed, increasing capacity on an important route near the capital.

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4. 1946Creation through railway nationalisation

   CFL was established through the nationalisation and consolidation of Luxembourg's privately operated railway companies, creating a unified national railway organisation.

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A state-owned national railway and public mobility operator focused on Luxembourg's domestic rail network, cross-border commuting and regional European rail connectivity.

• Domestic passenger railPassenger transportation

  CFL operates passenger trains across most of Luxembourg's national railway network. Services connect Luxembourg City with the northern, eastern, western and southern parts of the country, including branch routes serving Wiltz, Diekirch, Rumelange and other communities. The fleet is predominantly electric and includes multiple-unit and double-deck trains designed for regular commuter and regional travel.

• Cross-border passenger servicesInternational rail transportation

  CFL operates or participates in rail services linking Luxembourg with Belgium, France and Germany. Publicly described routes include connections toward Liège, Brussels, Trier, Thionville, Metz, Nancy, Athus and Longwy. These services support cross-border commuting and regional travel and are coordinated with SNCF, NMBS/SNCB and Deutsche Bahn.

• Rail freight and shuntingFreight rail transportation

  CFL maintains diesel locomotives and operational capability for freight-train hauling and general shunting. These activities complement the company's passenger role and support the movement and handling of rail vehicles and freight traffic on Luxembourg's network.

• Railway infrastructure operationsRail infrastructure

  CFL operates within Luxembourg's national rail system, whose approximately 275 route-kilometres include both single- and double-track sections. The wider track system is largely electrified at 25 kV, 50 Hz and uses standard gauge, enabling connections with neighbouring European railway networks.

• 2019Expand capacity through Luxembourg–Sandweiler-Contern track doublingStrategy

  The approach to Luxembourg railway station required additional capacity to support domestic and cross-border traffic.

  What changed. The railway infrastructure between Luxembourg railway station and Sandweiler-Contern was converted to double track and the project was completed in 2019.

  Aftermath. The completed project provided additional capacity on an important corridor near the capital. The reference material associates the project with a cost of 462 million euros.

  Reported project cost. €462 million (Project completed in 2019)

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• Planned direct Luxembourg–Bettembourg railway connectionStrategy

  The southern approach to Luxembourg is an important passenger corridor, and network development plans include a more direct connection between Luxembourg and Bettembourg.

  What changed. A new, more direct railway line between Luxembourg and Bettembourg is planned for opening in 2027.

  Aftermath. If delivered as planned, the project is expected to improve capacity and routing on the southern part of the national network.

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• 2025CFL carried approximately 31.4 million passengers in 2025

  Reference material reports that trains operated by CFL carried approximately 31.4 million passengers during 2025, underscoring the company's central role in Luxembourg's public transport system.

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• 2019Track doubling between Luxembourg and Sandweiler-Contern completed

  The doubling of the railway between Luxembourg railway station and Sandweiler-Contern was completed after a major infrastructure programme intended to increase capacity on the approach to the capital.

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1. Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer Luxembourgeois