Umschlagzentrum

Umschlagzentrum is a railway freight terminal in Frankfurt, Hesse, Germany. It is situated about three kilometers east of the Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof main station. The terminal's primary function is to handle the transfer of goods between different types of railcars, a process known as marshaling or classification.

The Umschlagzentrum is a key component of the Rhine-Main region's logistics infrastructure. It plays a vital role in the movement of goods through Germany, particularly in the transport of bulk materials and intermodal cargo. The terminal facilitates the exchange of goods between various rail networks and is a crucial transit point for international trade.

Rail freight traffic is directed to the Umschlagzentrum via a bypass that diverts trains away from the main station. An extensive network of sidings and marshaling yards allows for efficient and safe handling of cargo. A few hundred meters to the west, the terminal is linked with the federal highway 3, which provides direct access tonormalize the road traffic.

In addition to its logistical importance, the Umschlagzentrum is also a notable example of Germany's relatively extensive rail freight network. German rail freight infrastructure has a long history of maximizing efficiency through centralization, with the Umschlagzentrum one of its more significant nodes.