LONDON Gateway’s rail link to the future is on track and on time – and the world is starting to notice.

Work has begun on the train terminal and track at Europe’s largest port development and when complete it will be the UK’s busiest rail freight hub.

This key step in the construction process has begun precisely to schedule and will be put into use from day one, thanks to a deal between London Gateway and the world’s second largest rail freight operator firm, the German company DB Schenker.

Schenker Logistics’ UK managing director, Dr Carsten Hinne, said: “We are pleased to be involved from the start with London Gateway, which will be home to the largest rail freight terminal in the UK.

“The services at London Gateway will link to a network across the UK and the whole of Europe for customers.”

Along with building the six berth terminal, the construction process involves replacement of the existing single rail line with two tracks. The line crosses the London Gateway site to connect with Network Rail’s existing Tilbury Loop railway line at the port boundary.

The terminal will cater for the largest trains ever to use the rail system in Britain. The port will have the capacity to turn around up to 35 such trains each way, daily, saving the equivalent of 2000 lorry movements.

Dr Hinne said: “We anticipate having containers on the move by late 2013.”

Christopher Scott, director of the Stanford-le-Hope shipping company Claridon, said: “The port has great potential as an export terminal as well as an import terminal.”