Rail freight works for large loads over long distance. The problem is the cost of the load transfer at the destination Rail Head and the cost to then deliver to the actual purchaser of the goods. In many cases I found that domestic appliances from Italy cost the same amount to off load at the railhead in the UK and then deliver to the Company warehouse as did the rail Freight cost from Italy. The same product delivered by road freight was "door to door" and cost 35% less. It was quicker by road and more flexible because we could redirect the load at any time we wished. There is a place for rail traffic but the rail companies need to get their act together and sell the service. They also need to look at their prices.
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