When you think of freight, what comes to mind is probably stacks of containers sitting at the docks. Or lorries trundling all over Europe (when they’re not queueing at port strikes…).
But rail freight is often key in transporting goods, too.
Keep reading to find out more about rail freight and what it can do for you.
What Is Rail Freight?
Road freight sees trucks use the overland road network to get goods from A to B. In rail freight, trains travel on the rail network to move goods. Both nationally and internationally.
This method of shipping can be used to transport goods for all or part of their journey to their destination. When there are multiple methods of transport used to get a consignment where it needs to be, we call it multimodal or intermodal shipping (depending on the contract).
On the trains, which can often hold the same amount of cargo as two Boeing 747s, goods can travel in containers as well as in specialist goods wagons and rail cars.
How Rail Freight Cargo Is Handled
Most of the cargo transported on freight trains is bulk cargo. This term refers to goods in huge numbers that aren’t packaged.
These days, however, containers are becoming more popular because the system opens the doors to smaller shippers moving fewer goods at a time. This is because multiple consignments from different shippers can be housed in a single container.
Rail containers are no different to those that are loaded onto ocean vessels, and there are a few different standard sizes. This standardisation of container size makes loading and unloading super simple and extremely fast because the containers don’t need to be opened in the process. (Having trouble picturing what could potentially fit inside one? Read all about shipping containers in this blog).
Some railroad cars, called well cars, can even travel with each container double-stacked, meaning the train can carry double the cargo.
The Pros
A far cry from the dusty rail carts of the Gold Rush era, railroad shipping is becoming increasingly popular for these very good reasons…
Fast And Reliable
Trains aren’t susceptible to traffic jams and roadworks, like road freight. Congestion won’t influence the time it takes for your goods to get to their destination, and it’s a much quicker mode of transport than sea freight, which can also be influenced by the weather.
Via freight train, cargo can move from China to Europe in half the time it takes over the ocean.
The Greener Option
Rail freight emits significantly less CO2 when compared to ocean and air freight and is the most environmentally friendly way to ship your goods. On average, trains are also 4 times more fuel efficient than trucks.
Around 80% of Europe freight train journeys are already electrically powered, and developing trains that produce net-zero emissions is somewhere on the horizon for the future.
Safer
Trains are 40% less likely to have an accident in transit, making them the safest option when it comes to shipping your goods. They are unaffected by anything but extreme weather forecasts – not even the driver stopping for a bite to eat – meaning that the risk of theft of your cargo is extremely low.
Intermodality
Depending on the goods you’re shipping and where they’re going, you might need to use more than one mode of transport to get your cargo to its destination. Unless your destination has a rail siding, a truck is going to be pretty indispensable!
With rail freight, intermodality is simple. The containers stacked onto freight trains can also be transported by trucks and container ships because they are all the same standard sizes. This means that unloading and reloading between train and truck is quick and efficient, and the same goes for container ships as long as the port infrastructure is sufficient to do the job.
The Cons
Though rail freight is a popular choice for many businesses, is it right for you? Read on through the downsides to shipping via freight train.
Limited Routes
The rail network isn’t as wide-reaching as the road network, especially in places that are a little more out-in-the-sticks. And whilst intermodality is relatively simple given the standardisation of shipping containers between modes of transport, unloading and reloading does increase the potential for problems to arise…
Goods may get lost, delays may occur, and it’s likely to cost you more to ship goods using more than one method.
Rigid Timetable
Freight trains stick to strict timetables. This makes them highly reliable and easy to plan for, but not helpful if a regular customer makes a last-minute bulk order.
Inflexible Locations
Although you can use a freight train to take your goods most of the way on their journey, you’re likely to be dependent on using road freight to get your consignment to the door. Unless they’ve got a rail connection, of course.
Cost
Rail freight is more expensive than shipping via both road and sea, but it is safer, more secure and more reliable. Not to mention far quicker than using a container vessel.
If you’ve got time to spare, ocean freight will always be the best budget option. If not, rail freight is efficient and better for the planet!
Irregular Standards
We know that rules and regulations differ by country, and that doesn’t stop for rail freight. That fact, as well as varying technical standards across the world, means that driver and even train changes are sometimes necessary when moving from one country to the next.
Lack Of Infrastructure
We’ve got a higher demand for trains and rail freight than we do the means to get the job done. The rail network needs increasingly more development as rail freight becomes more popular, and outdated rails are in vital need of repair and expansion. Without all of this, train journeys end up being rerouted, taking longer and costing more… Or sometimes cancelled altogether.
Rail Freight Is A Green Light For Shipping
Moving goods by train has seen a recent uptick in demand. Port problems, the rising cost of air travel and a push for more sustainable solutions have led to more of us choosing rail over road or air, and for good reason.
While there are positive and compelling reasons to consider rail freight, these must be balanced by any potential issues that might affect you and your business.
Think rail freight sounds like the way to go, but not quite brave enough to try it out? We can help you with the deliberation. Contact Millennium today to chat through your freight needs.