Businesses use rail transportation for the delivery of a wide range of goods including coal, steel and other heavy goods.

Advantages

• Fast delivery
• Capacity
• Cost effective
• Safe mode of transport
• Reliable

Disadvantages

• Subject to unforeseen delays
• Reliance on rail freight operator's timetable

Suppliers/customers are not always located near a rail freight depot and delivery to/from the depot can be costly and time consuming.