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 […]
Category: Rail freight
Words versus reality: “The Dutch Second Chamber is being misled,” says head of rail organisation
On Friday 1 March, the Dutch state secretary for infrastructure addressed a wide range of rail freight policy issues in a letter to the lower house of parliament. While the letter presented some successes, not everyone is happy with its contents, or even its level of truthfulness. “The Second Chamber is being misled,” says Hans-Willem […]
German rail development indicates shifts in North Sea ports’ modal split
Container shipments via rail freight in Germany have showcased incredible growth between 2005 and 2022. Their transport volumes grew by an impressive 85.9 per cent in these 19 years, going from under 4.2 million TEUs in 2005 to roughly 7.7 million TEUs in 2022. Increased traffic to and from North Sea ports has contributed the […]
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 […]
Iron Ore Line to fully reopen this week after derailment
Traffic along the Iron Ore Line should fully restart on Thursday, 7 March, after a train derailed near Vassijaure, not far from the Sweden-Norway border, on 24 February. The particularity of this derailment is that it took place only four days after an adjacent section of the Line was reopened following another derailment in the […]
Another piece of the Divača-Koper line falls into place
The Vinjan viaduct, a key piece of the new Divača-Koper railway line, in southwestern Slovenia, was inaugurated last week. The new railway section should be commissioned by 2026 and bring many advantages for rail freight in the area. The Vinjan viaduct stretches for 620 metres, connecting the Mlinarji and Škofije tunnels across the Vinjan valley. […]
Another piece of the Divača-Koper line falls into place
The Vinjan viaduct, a key piece of the new Divača-Koper railway line, in southwestern Slovenia, was inaugurated last week. The new railway section should be commissioned by 2026 and bring many advantages for rail freight in the area. The Vinjan viaduct stretches for 620 metres, connecting the Mlinarji and Škofije tunnels across the Vinjan valley. […]
Polish survey: Road outcompetes rail, but potential for rail growth
Road transportation is outcompeting rail in Poland. That is the primary conclusion of bi-annual consultations of Poland’s Office of Rail Transport (ORT) with parties in the rail freight sector. However, as respondents point out, there is potential for improvements in the competitiveness of rail. According to ORT, the share of rail logistics in Poland is […]
Westminster venue for Freight Parliamentary Reception
Tuesday, 5 March, is the date for the annual Rail Partners Freight Parliamentary Reception. Any event on the Terrace Pavilion at the House of Commons in London has its own attraction. However, this year’s reception has added significance. In an election year, there is added incentive for the government and political leaders to make an […]
Logistics UK say rail reform bill starts a whole system approach
Last week’s introduction of the UK government’s Draft Rail Reform Bill could be the catalyst for a whole system approach. That’s the view of Logistics UK, the industry-wide business group representing members from rail, road, sea and air transport. The organisation wants to see rail freight sit at the heart of the industry. That’s an […]