Freight Services

Here to help

We provide access to the national rail network, and offer a professional and practical service for organisations wishing to move freight across Britain by rail.

We recognise that freight operators are not franchisees: they are long term businesses that have invested accordingly. And that freight operators’ customers are the lifeblood of British industry.

The advantages of rail freight

The benefits to society of rail freight are considerable. Almost £700 million of social and environmental benefits each year can be attributed to freight traffic on Britain’s railways. Shifting traffic from already congested roads to rail will bring greater future benefits. And to businesses, rail freight can offer a cheaper, quicker and more practical alternative to moving goods by road.

Traditional bulk commodities form the majority of rail freight shipments, with coal, construction materials, metals and industrial minerals comprising over 50%. Overall growth in the rail freight market has been in three key areas: coal, intermodal and port traffic.

Access to the network

Network Rail is committed to developing Britain’s rail freight industry and helping it play a greater role in meeting the nation’s transport needs. The key to developing freight services is access to the rail network. The Network Rail Guide to Rail Freight gives you detailed, practical information on how to get freight on rail and how to connect to the network.

Network Rail’s freight business is developed by our Customer Service team, which manages relationships with freight train operators and all agreements for freight connections and private sidings. See ‘Contact Us’ for more information.