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Speaking at Unlocking Innovation - Rail Freight, an event held by the Railway Industry Association (RIA) in Doncaster on 22 February, Maggie Simpson, chief executive of the Rail Freight Group stressed the need for growing rail freight which benefits the UK economy by £2.5 billion each year.
(Permalink) Rail Freight Group Railfreight

Rail Freight Group's Martin Bignell highlights the need to shift freight from road to rail and outlines how this can be achieved.
(Permalink) Rail Freight Group Railfreight

The Rail Freight Group has highlighted the potential for market growth in its response to a call for evidence from the Great British Railways Transition Team, but says this can only be achieved if there is a successful partnership between the private sector and government.
(Permalink) Great British Railways Great British Railways Transition Team Rail Freight Group Railfreight

As Liz Truss moves her belongings into No 10, she will no doubt be focussing on the priorities for her new Government. It seems unlikely that rail freight will be one of them, but how she chooses to tackle some of the big issues currently facing the country will be vital to the success of ...
(Permalink) Rail Freight Group Railfreight Westminster

RFG today (8 June 2022) urged Government, Network Rail and the RMT to urgently resolve their differences ahead of the planned rail strikes in June. Yesterday, RMT announced that strikes would take place on 21, 23 and 25 June, affecting key Network Rail staff including signallers.
(Permalink) Network Rail RMT Rail Freight Group

The Rail Freight Group has announced Rail Freight: Fit for the Future a forward-thinking documentary series, focused on three key pillars of growth, sustainability, and innovation. It will be produced by Zinc Media Group and released in partnership with the Freight Industry Timesin the Autumn.
(Permalink) Rail Freight Group Railfreight

Rail Freight Group (RFG) was pleased to respond to the consultation on the National Planning Framework 4. We were pleased to see emphasis given in the NPF4 to the need to decarbonise transport and its commitments to interventions to encourage modal shift to rail freight. The framework approach to considering the regions of Scotland in the context of their underlying socio-economic characteristics also identifies significant industries and generators of freight traffic. Each region is also a consuming one, often served by very extended supply chains. These longer distances will become increasingly challenging to serve by road, making rail freight an increasingly attractive option for business to consider.
(Permalink) National Planning Framework Rail Freight Group Railfreight

Rail Freight Group (RFG) was pleased to respond to the Call for Evidence for the Whole Industry Strategic Plan (WISP) by the Great British Railways Transition Team. RFG was particularly pleased to respond to the Call for Evidence, coming as it does at an important time in the evolution of railway structure and operation in ...
(Permalink) Call for Evidence for the Whole Industry Strategic Plan Great British Railways Transition Team RFG Rail Freight Group

Only time will judge whether COP26 was a success. To many it achieved real progress, to others not enough, and to some it was all 'blah, blah, blah'. Whatever camp you are in, one thing is for sure, all eyes were on Scotland and the hospitality industry had much to cheer about after the covid lockdowns. [Note the mention of electrification of the Glasgow and South Western Main Line. -RS]
(Permalink) Blackford Electrification Glasgow and South Western Railway Highland Spring Mossend Yard Rail Freight Group Railfreight Russell Group Timber WSP


Mossend Marshalling Yard: 90039, just after its 'Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport' naming ceremony at Mossend, showing off its black 'Backbone' livery on 9th November 2021.
John Yellowlees 09/11/2021


Blackford: The 12.43 from Glasgow Queen Street to Dundee, powered by 43012 and 43146, passes the Highland Spring terminal at Blackford on 27th September 2020. No sidings laid yet.
Bill Roberton 27/09/2020

Freightliner has confirmed that it will be withdrawing its entire fleet of electric locomotives in response to soaring electricity prices. [Temporarily. See Rail Freight Group press release below. -RS]
(Permalink) COP26 Electricity Costs Electrifcation Rail Freight Rail Freight Group


Abington: Freightliner 66523 held in the loop at Abington with a southbound coal train on a murky 15 March 2012.
Bill Roberton 15/03/2012

Rail freight is acknowledged as a low carbon transport mode, emitting 76% less carbon dioxide than road freight even with use of diesel locomotives. Rail freight operators are committed to further decarbonisation, and measures to increase sustainability. However, the current significant increase in the wholesale cost of electricity for haulage means that some operators have had to take the regrettable decision to temporarily move back to diesel locomotives. A 200% increase in electricity costs for each train cannot be absorbed by the operators, or customers, and so necessary action is being taken to ensure that trains can continue to operate delivering vital goods across the country.
(Permalink) COP26 Electricity Costs Electrifcation Rail Freight Rail Freight Group


Carnforth: A pair of red and gold DBS Class 90s take the Dollands Moor to Irvine china clay tanks through Carnforth on 20th January 2016. 90020 Collingwood is working in multiple with 90039 but, due to th ...
Mark Bartlett 20/01/2016


Arbroath ^The Dens^ Siding: Freightliner 66609 on a northbound Oxwellmains-Aberdeen cement train passing Arbroath on 2 October.
Sandy Steele 02/10/2008

Rail Freight Group (RFG) is the representative body for rail freight in the UK. Working on behalf of more than 100 member companies, we campaign to increase the amount of goods moved by rail by influencing the policies of key stakeholders and Governments to support growth.

RFG is looking to recruit a representative to help support this work in Scotland and the North of England. Reporting to the Director General, you will represent RFGs interests, maintain relationships with our members and stakeholders and be the eyes and ears on the ground, raising policy issues and campaign priorities for RFG to take forward with your input.
(Permalink) Freight Job Advertisement RFG Rail Freight Group

As the e-commerce market continues to grow, so has the demand for next-day deliveries.Coinciding with an increased focus on climate change and decarbonisation of transport modes, there is a need to deliver goods in the most environmentally friendly way.
(Permalink) Class 321 Rail Freight Group

Rail Freight Group (RFG) is pleased to respond to the consultation on the East West Rail Central Section. RFG recognises that a final decision has not yet been taken by East West Rail Co and DfT regarding the use of the route for freight traffic. Nonetheless, it is imperative that the design of the route is capable of supporting commercial freight services
(Permalink) East West Rail Co Rail Freight Group

Rail Freight Group (RFG) is pleased to submit a formal response to the Welsh Governments Consultation on new rail services aimed at creating a Swansea Bay and west Wales Metro. RFG has submitted this response in free format as it noted both the Consultation Document and the accompanying Response Form refer solely to matters relating ...
(Permalink) Rail Freight Group Swansea Bay and West Wales Metro

RFG today welcomed the publication of the Williams “ Shapps Plan for Rail, which offers the opportunity of a lifetime to accelerate the growth of rail freight, helping decarbonise UK freight transport and meet the needs of freight customers. Under the plans set out by Government a new organisation, Great British Railways, will be created ...
(Permalink) Great British Railways Rail Freight Group

New study offers chance to plan for the next 25 years, writes David Spaven

As the representative body for users and suppliers of rail freight throughout Britain, the Rail Freight Group (RFG) was pleased to have the opportunity to comment on Network Rails (NR) recent draft Scotland Route Study, setting out the options for upgrading the network over the next 25 and more years.

The capacity and capability of the network will be key determinants of rail freights success in contributing to important policy objectives, such as: supporting economic growth and resilience, and greater choice for industry; meeting Scotlands challenging climate change targets; and reducing the heavy trunk road maintenance burden imposed by the biggest lorries.

(Permalink) David Spaven Network Rail Rail Freight Group

Scotland's killer road has just got more deadly - while the safest form of transport wasn't even given a look-in, argues David Spaven. The crude politics of the Perth-Inverness transport corridor will just not go away. Despite the safety gloss being presented to the public, new evidence obtained from the Scottish Government by the Rail Freight Group (RFG) shows that the planned increase in lorry speed limits from 40mph to 50mph on single-carriageway sections of the A9 is being driven by 'operational benefits' - and more lives will be lost as the price of government helping to keep truckers competitive.
(Permalink) A9 David Spaven Highland Main Line Rail Freight Group

The Rail Freight Group (RFG) has said upgrading the railway line between Perth and Inverness would help to ease travel on the A9 trunk road. The call follows the Scottish government's announcement that average speed cameras will be installed on the road between the two cities.
(Permalink) A9 Highland Main Line Rail Freight Group


Moulin Level Crossing: Stobart-liveried 66414 'James the Engine' approaching the northern outskirts of Pitlochry with the 4Z50 Inverness - Coatbridge 'Intermodal' container train on 19 July 2011.
Bill Roberton 19/07/2011


Aviemore: Two Class 26s pull into Aviemore in 1974 with a northbound passenger service, while sister locomotive no D5321 waits for the road to Kingussie with a Millerhill-bound freight dominated by empty Preslo ...
Frank Spaven Collection (Courtesy David Spaven) //1974


Dalnaspidal: Freights about to cross at Dalnaspidal in the summer of 1970 - looking north.
John Furnevel 11/07/1970

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