Persistent problems surround the process of putting timber on the rail network, Ian Forshaw of Forest Enterprise and the Timber Transport Forum warned the Rail Freight Group’s annual Scottish conference in Glasgow last week.
Mr Forshaw joined an earlier speaker in criticising a lack of ‘pulling together’ within the rail sector to find solutions for freight customers. ‘There are some very good individuals in the rail industry,’ he said, ‘but you always have the perception that there are 20 people behind him putting obstacles in his way.’
Mr Forshaw also agreed the process of establishing rail freight schemes was ‘complicated’ and pricing estimates were often ‘grossly inaccurate’.
The conference also heard about the development of a small, flexible freight train with strong forestry industry potential. The so-called ‘freight multiple unit’ devised by Exel, Amec and Isotrak can run anywhere on the Railtrack network and suits applications outside of electrification where there is a need to ‘sprint in and sprint out’, said Exel. Speeds up to 90mph may be feasible depending on final specification.
The train is undergoing major trials in May and June.
