Samskip re-opens Amsterdam-Hull short-sea line
Multimodal transport operator Samskip reintroduces direct short-sea links between Amsterdam and Hull, in the UK. This is in response to recovering traffic between the UK and north-European countries. Especially when it comes to containerised cargo,...Read more
Watch RailFreight Live today: new China connections to Rotterdam
The Netherlands made the news several times this week, as new services connecting the ports to China popped up. While the first direct container train to the port of Rotterdam was launched, the port of...Read more
New Amsterdam-London Express launched from China
Starting 2 September, a new multimodal service links Xi’an in China with the port of Amsterdam and London. The direct rail freight line runs via Slavkov in the south of Poland, avoiding the busy border...Read more
First Chengdu train arrives in Liege, destined for UK
On Sunday 7 June the first train from Chengdu in China arrived in Liege, Belgium. It was a test shipment organised by Chengdu International Railway Service (CDIRS). The train carrying over 7 million worth masks...Read more
New fresh route between Spain and UK launched
Transfesa Logistics has launched a new refrigerated transport express by train from Spain to Great Britain. The two new routes run from Valencia and Murcia to Great Britain, and are catered to the current demand...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
UK budget scant on rail detail
The first UK budget since Brexit delivered a large package of investment pledges, aimed at helping the economy in the short and long term. However, in the transport sector, it was roads that were the...Read more
Opposition to new Hinkley freight hub in English Midlands
The local MP has joined in the debate about a proposed new freight hub near Birmingham, which has raised local opposition over the development of a green field site. Designated by the developers as Hinckley National...Read more
Future for UK timber trains in Scotland
There are fresh calls for a more sustainable approach to the timber industry, and a new look at bringing back rail as the prime mover. However, even supporters say there are considerable commercial challenges. Timber trains...Read more
Ecofret intermodal innovation in the UK Midlands
A radical redesign of the Ecofret intermodal workhorse will double capacity and make rail freight more competitive. It is all down to the last independent freight wagon manufacturer in the UK; WH Davis is preparing...Read more
Train loads of Ford cars transported every week across UK
UK operator Direct Rail Services has just announced a contract to move new Ford vehicles across England, starting in February. Just like the automotive industry, and with the environment in mind, they will be using...Read more
Demand outstrips supply at Channel Tunnel
Overwhelming demand for freight shuttle transportation led to extensive delays for UK lorry traffic heading for the continent on Friday. While trains ran smoothly, the wait extended over the course of the day and only...Read more
Rail freight is the real winner with HS2 in the UK
Promoters of Britain’s new high-speed railway say that freight will benefit from more paths and capacity, freed up by the 80 billion British pounds (94 billion euros) project, but that may well depend on completing...Read more
Huge programme of engineering works in UK
A huge programme of works is planned over the Festive break in the UK. The end of December until the first week in January is the most intense period of maintenance, upgrades and installations. ’Twas the...Read more
UK figures show the end of coal
Coal traffic has all but died out on the rail freight routes of the UK, marking an end to the industrial era that gave birth to the railway age. This was shown by the latest...Read more
Will freight win the UK General Election?
With just a few days to go until what has been called the UK’s Brexit Election, political parties have been called upon to set out their rail freight policies. With an average of one daily...Read more