The latest quarterly freight figures have some pleasing headlines. However, beyond the standfirst of growth in domestic intermodal and an upturn in biomass movements, there’s a less rosy picture in the big ticket items of maritime movements and construction materials. The two dominant sectors moved in opposite directions, amounting to an overall fall in freight […]
Author: Simon Walton
A shorthaul intermodal connection in Scotland might soon be reality
A trial has been held of a sub-fifty mile (80km) intermodal haul in Central Scotland. The revival could connect an intermodal terminal in Paisley, to the west of Glasgow, with the rail freight terminal at the Port of Grangemouth on the River Forth. The rail freight connection would offer an alternative to the congested roads […]
‘Brakes, brakes, brakes’ the takeaway from Liverpool Street incident report
The UK Rail Accident Investigation Branch has released its findings after an investigation of a runaway train incident at Liverpool Street Station in London. The non-fatal accident happened in October 2022. It involved a freight train which was serving an engineering possession at the time. In its findings, the RAIB stressed the importance of drivers […]
Scottish rail freight champion but money too tight to mention
Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Transport at the Scottish Government, has spent a week in consultation with the rail freight industry. The minister’s multiple appearances included addressing assemblies in Glasgow at a rail industry seminar and at less fashionable Grangemouth. Keynote speeches delivered a message of support to the rail freight sector. She also delivered […]
UK Budget leaves rail freight sector feeling unloved
Jeremy Hunt delivered a budget speech last week. It may be his last. it’s not because the rail freight sector has put out a contract on the UK Chancellor. However, there may well be an election before he has another opportunity to deliver some solace for the sector. A budget speech may not be the […]
UK Budget leaves rail freight sector feeling unloved
Jeremy Hunt delivered a budget speech last week. It may be his last. it’s not because the rail freight sector has put out a contract on the UK Chancellor. However, there may well be an election before he has another opportunity to deliver some solace for the sector. A budget speech may not be the […]
Prospects for expanding the DP World Modal Shift Programme
Rail freight has been increasing its share at the Port of Southampton. The runaway success of the DP World Modal Shift Programme could claim to be largely responsible. The company has been applauded by the UK rail freight industry for the initiative. The wider logistics sector has cause to query the effects of a wider […]
HS2 quantity at Quainton: 646 freight trains move a million tonnes
HS2, Britain’s high-speed rail project, is buried in statistics. However, there is one statistic that burrows its way out from all the others. 646 freight trains have delivered one million tonnes of construction materials to the HS2 construction site at Quainton, around fifty miles (80km) north of London Euston – or 45 miles north of […]
Varamis rolls into Liverpool Street
The UK express logistics boom continues. Independent carrier Varamis Rail has unveiled its fifth train, only weeks after adding a fourth electric multiple unit to its uniform fleet of repurposed passenger trains. Varamis Rail currently runs an overnight service, carrying parcels traffic, between Birmingham and Glasgow. The announcement of a fifth unit for the Varamis […]
Scottish meeting has politics on the agenda for Rail Freight Group
This week, the rail freight industry in Scotland has the opportunity to air their views in the presence of the senior minister from the Scottish Government. The Rail Freight Group Scottish Conference will be addressed by Fiona Hyslop, the Transport Secretary at Holyrood. Secretary Hyslop will be laying out her vision for the industry as […]