Reduce Your Costs, Carbon Footprint with Train Freight
Our rail freight experts deliver the goods
Far cheaper and less complex than air freight, shipping by rail is on the rise, particularly for low-margin products. In fact, train freight shipments between China and Europe jumped tenfold in the last decade.
And, while slower than air shipping, trains are advancing in speed and geographic coverage. Indeed, railroads around the globe have spent billions of dollars in recent years, investing in service and infrastructure upgrades that have improved transit times and on-time performance.
Read on to find out if shipping by rail is a smart fit for your organization.
Why choose rail freight? What are the benefits?
An effective mode of transport for many shipping scenarios, train freight is often considered the middle ground between expensive air shipments and lengthy sea voyages.
No matter where your train cargo is headed, TTL’s tailored rail solutions are backed back more than four decades of experience, and offer distinct value and several key advantages, including:
Reduced carbon footprint
Lower fuel expenses
Decreased transportation costs
No third-party handling during transit
Deferred transit
Real-time visibility
Pickup and delivery flexibility
What commodities are well-suited for train cargo?
Train freight is popular for products without tight timelines or shipping specifications, including bulk, low-value or palletized items, as well as cargo that presents low risk of overage, shortage or damage.
Using a similar process to ocean freight, rail transport is especially ideal for long-distance travel and the transport of heavy and/or oversized goods.
Rail freight isn’t ideal for all cargo, however. Trains shipping can create challenges for commodities like electronics or other high-value products, as well as coils or spools of metal, hazmat and perishable items.
Is shipping by rail right for my business?
Rail shipping is a time-tested solution with multiple benefits, but its full utility depends on your company’s unique needs and situation.
On one hand, train freight’s reliability and fuel efficiency can make the difference when it comes to reducing costs or greening the image of your global supply chain.
However, for deliveries with tight timelines or products demanding high-touch care, train transport may not be ideal for this mode of transportation. Railroad transit time takes around 50 percent longer than full-truckload deliveries, and shipping times are estimated—unlike the precise delivery time predictions of other transit methods. And it can be difficult to demerge freight containers during train transit, and shipping by rail often means increased liability during rail container loading and bracing.
What train cargo containers does TTL offer?
TTL’s rail providers offer a variety of schedules with 20-foot, 40-foot, 40-foot HC, 45-foot and 53-foot container alternatives. Our logistics experts work to understand your business and help you determine whether shipping by rail is the best fit for your specific needs.
