Rail freight has been under relentless pressure from competing road transport. It has been outperformed and is (in real terms and by any measure) now a small player in the total freight market.
The cost base is far too high. It needs to be seriously reduced if it is to be competitive.
The largest cost in running a freight train for a day is the cost of the locomotive and wagons. For road haulage, the largest cost is fuel, followed by driver wages. Train drivers are paid 60%-70% more than lorry drivers.
