ORR Freight statistics show some falls
The latest figures from the Office of Rail and Road crept out in the first week of March. They show a slight decline in freight traffic metrics on Britain’s railways. The fourth quarter will likely...Read more
DC Rail staying busy for UK future economy
Rail freight operators who have adapted best to the radical changes brought about by Coronavirus crisis are seeing busy timetables and order books. Many operators agree that the answer to the crisis is to keep...Read more
Network Rail emphasises commitment to freight during crisis
The UK national infrastructure agency, Network Rail has stated its commitment to keeping the national economy moving. The statement comes as the country moves into a second week of a radically reduced passenger timetable, and...Read more
Railway and armed services renew cooperation to fight coronavirus
News that Network Rail and the British Army had collaborated at the weekend to deliver medical supplies was worthy of another round of applause from a grateful nation. However, the cooperation of railway and armed...Read more
HS2, crossrail paused as UK PM and Prince both test positive
While there is controversy about the definition of key worker status, and particularly in the construction sector, the Prime Minister has tested positive for Coronavirus, just hours after taking part in a national applause in...Read more
Safety, security and maintenance still paramount
Coronavirus or not, the UK rail network is still being kept safe, secure and maintained. Infrastructure contractors are out night and day, across the country. Security services are on patrol, and safety inspectors have not...Read more
UK Freight now priority by default
It is a vital resource in the fight against coronavirus. Now, rail freight is running almost unhindered on the UK network. Metro services like the London Underground may still be running with significant loadings, but...Read more
Unsung heroes keeping locked-down Britain rolling
While intermodal trains are now rushing past each other on the main lines of the UK, enjoying the same status as express passenger services, there are other loads out on the rails, just as important...Read more
UK partial rail nationalisation to battle coronavirus
The UK has partially nationalised its railways as a temporary measure battling the coronavirus crisis. Rail freight remains in commercial hands, while the UK government has taken charge of the passenger rail network. All commercial...Read more
Coronavirus UK: rail freight staff labelled protected as ‘key workers’
The British government has answered calls from the rail freight industry. It has acted to protect the professions of those directly involved in the food supply chain, including rail freight professionals. People working in these...Read more
UK’s rail freight workers front line troops in battle coronavirus
The Rail Freight Group has called on the UK government and society at large to recognise workers in the industry as key to the survival of the UK economy, and as front line troops in...Read more
Priority pathing for UK freight movements
The UK government has alluded to switching priorities on the British railway network. The move would give freight trains a clear path in preference to other traffic, in a way that has not been seen...Read more
Amid crisis UK rail freight rallies to beat corona
Deserted concourses and empty platforms. The passenger network is becoming like Christmas Day, every day. With the British government placing stringent restrictions on movement and business activity, the rail freight sector has an increasingly important...Read more
Britain’s rail freight soldiers on amid the coronavirus crisis
The UK has awoken in a state of shock, under the most draconian restrictions to public life since 1939. The government introduced new measures to combat the coronavirus outbreak, that leave all but essential industry...Read more
Radical solution for twenty-first century fast freight
The debate continues over a modern version of enterprise trains as an answer to urban congestion and environmental concerns. A radical modular approach, combining the best of rail, tram and road in one package, is a...Read more
Nine UK freight electrification schemes now please
They may not have been satisfied by the UK budget yesterday. The pressure group Railfuture has released a list of priority schemes. The campaigners believe these are the most urgently needed interventions to release capacity...Read more