Rail freight on a need-to-know basis
Terminal developers must be aware of rail gauges and capacity details
More must be done to provide terminal developers with information about the rail gauge of the UK’s network if the use of rail freight is to increase, according to the Rail Freight Group (RFG).
Tony Berkeley, chairman of the RFG, said that developers of terminals, rail-connected ports and wagon manufacturers needed to know gauge widths and height restrictions so they can develop routes and terminals.
He said: “Developers of terminals, rail-connected ports and so on, also need to know that particular sizes of boxes can be accommodated on routes to and from their facilities, and wagon manufacturers need this information to enable them to design wagons for particular combinations of cargo, box and gauge.
“It all sounds like a complicated affair, but it is a vital one in increasing shippers’ confidence in the sector and, ultimately, growing the use of rail freight in the UK.
“Although there is already a network of routes capable of taking 9ft 6in boxes on standard flat wagons, it needs to be increased.
He added: “New wagons, the first pioneered by WH Davies, are being developed to carry 9ft 6in boxes on a wider range of routes covering much of the country – but, again, designers need to know exactly how big, or small, the gauge is for which they have to design their wagons.”
However, Berkeley welcomed the work being carried out by Network Rail to update its records to provide the correct information on rail gauge.
See Opinion: Gauging the needs of rail customers
Tony Berkeley, chairman of the RFG, said that developers of terminals, rail-connected ports and wagon manufacturers needed to know gauge widths and height restrictions so they can develop routes and terminals.
He said: “Developers of terminals, rail-connected ports and so on, also need to know that particular sizes of boxes can be accommodated on routes to and from their facilities, and wagon manufacturers need this information to enable them to design wagons for particular combinations of cargo, box and gauge.
“It all sounds like a complicated affair, but it is a vital one in increasing shippers’ confidence in the sector and, ultimately, growing the use of rail freight in the UK.
“Although there is already a network of routes capable of taking 9ft 6in boxes on standard flat wagons, it needs to be increased.
He added: “New wagons, the first pioneered by WH Davies, are being developed to carry 9ft 6in boxes on a wider range of routes covering much of the country – but, again, designers need to know exactly how big, or small, the gauge is for which they have to design their wagons.”
However, Berkeley welcomed the work being carried out by Network Rail to update its records to provide the correct information on rail gauge.
See Opinion: Gauging the needs of rail customers
Click here to email the editor and comment on this story
Receive our FREE news email bulletin click here
- 13 − 15 March 2012
- 22 − 23rd March 2012
- 25th April 2012 for 12 weeks.
- 12 − 14 June 2012
