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
East Midlands Gateway will be open in early 2020
UK-based logistics company Maritime Transport is getting closer to completion of East Midlands Gateway (EMG), its new intermodal terminal at Castle Donington. The facility will be launched in early 2020. EMG will be able to...Read more
‘Extra capacity HS2 should go to rail freight’
British logistics interest group FTA has called on the UK government to secure the future of HS2 and reassure that capacity released by the high-speed railway project will not be pre-allocated to passenger services. Instead,...Read more
Locomotive for heaviest trains to UK construction firm
DCRail, the rail freight operating company that is part of the London based Cappagh Group of Companies, will this week take delivery of the first of four locomotives that will move construction materials to a...Read more
New UK government urged to prioritise rail freight
The British Rail Freight Group has set out its priorities for the new government and called on all party leaders to include rail freight as part of their transport commitments. With a renewed focus on...Read more
iPort Rail storms ahead despite flooding or Brexit
It was just another day at the office for Managing Director Steve Freeman. While the rest of South Yorkshire mopped up after a night of flooding, iPort Rail flowed on regardless, with dozens of multi-modal...Read more
Making short haul freight pay dividends
Moving bulk tonnage over long distances has become the mainstay of modern rail freight, but one company has found a profitable niche in more traditional shorter trips. That is good for congestion, the environment and...Read more