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The Disadvantage Of Rail Transport: Advantages And Goods

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The use of rail transport was for many years the most used way to transport goods. The need to increase the speed of delivery has turned the table towards road freight. Many countries has placed a stop on trucks using roads at certain times and routes due to traffic congestion. A further problem is the heavy trucks damages the roads. Today the move back to freight going on trains is very much the modern trend across the world. Using rail transport is very efficient, with economies of scale and energy efficiency. The biggest drawback of rail transport is the lack of flexibility and the need of trans shipment at both ends of the trip due to lack of railway tracks to the points of pick-up and delivery. Authorities often encourage the use of cargo rail transport due to its environmental profile. One example is the adaption towards container trains as containerisation has been happening across the globe over the past …show more content…

transporting iron ore, grain or coal is a a key advantage for rail transport. Low or even zero trans shipment costs combined with energy efficiency and low inventory costs allow trains to handle bulk much cheaper than by road. A good example is the transportation of iron ore from Sishen and Kathu in the Northern Cape to Saldanha Bay for export. Bulk is transported in open-topped carriages, hopper carriages or tanker carriages. Figure: Rail transport The advantages of rail transport are: 1. Distance – Suitable for bulky goods transported over a long distance specially goods not easily transported using road freight. 2. Speed - quick and a regular form of transport because it helps in the transportation of goods with speed and certainty. 3. Cost – cheaper transport option than road freight and helps with economic growth transporting raw materials at a cheaper rate. 4. Time – relatively quick in the movement of goods from one place to another. 5. Employment - Encourages mobility of labour and thereby provides a great scope for

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