It is not just modal and traction shift, the rail freight sector is coming to terms with geographical shift too. Rail freight is adjusting to a move away from its traditional power base, says Ralph Goldney, Managing Director of Railfreight Consulting. Goldney was addressing an online seminar for the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, from his headquarters in Surrey.
The webcast was designed as an introduction to rail freight, but also covered a number of debating points raised by the audience of rail professionals and potential rail customers. “Traditionally, rail freight was something that was done in the North”, he said. “That has all changed, and it is something with which the industry is coming to terms with, driven by economic and industrial factors and a rising commodities demand in and around London.”
Shift to South East
That may be a generalisation but, in general, the observation holds true. Ever since the industrial revolution, the freight operations of the railways in the UK have revolved around feeding the mills, factories and foundries of the North, delivering coal and departing with finished goods. Now, the movements of bulk might be more often in the direction of London, and those finished goods are being imported – their routings often through southern ports and, again, around London’s busy rail network.