Rail Transportation

“Rail transportation” refers to the movement of people and goods via railways or the movement of passengers and goods via wheeled vehicles designed to operate on railway lines. Railways are one of the most efficient methods of transporting goods on land, and are particularly important for moving heavy and bulk goods over long distances. The transportation costs of delivery often include a large portion of the overall cost. Some examples of goods that are transported by rail include coal, grains, fertilizers, chemicals, forest products, motor vehicles, metals, and many other goods. Railways are designed with metal rails and allow trains to move passengers and cargo from one place to another on the rails. Conventional railways consist of two parallel rails, usually made of steel, which are connected by cross ties to maintain a fixed distance between the two rails. Trains typically move on railway lines with a motorized locomotive powered by electricity or diesel fuel. Studies on rail transport indicate that there are about 1.1 million kilometers of railway lines worldwide, with the United States having the largest share (32%). Asia and Europe follow with 30% and 24%, respectively. Most rail transport cargo is carried in bulk (unpacked and in large quantities). This type of cargo can be directly placed in train cars, but since the introduction of standard shipping containers, their use for transporting bulk goods has become widespread.

The history of rail freight transportation and the benefits of using freight trains, as well as their types:

Transportation has been one of the most important and vital aspects of human life since ancient times. Various forms of transportation, including maritime, air, land, and rail, play a major role in facilitating many activities and movements. In fact, the development of civilization owes much to the use of advanced forms of transportation.

Among these, freight trains have a long history and have been of interest since the inception of the train. Trains have allowed us to develop our civilization faster than anyone expected. With trains, remote lands became almost accessible, and industrial production advanced with the transportation of unlimited amounts of raw materials by freight trains. Due to the high importance and special role of trains, especially freight trains, in human life and work, and the increasing use of them in transportation, they have contributed to economic development, industrial progress, and great changes in human life. The history of rail transport and freight trains spans two hundred years of modern human civilization, during which time this incredible discovery was used to make significant changes in industry and daily travel. The first freight train reached the rail lines in England in the early 1800s, and modern trains now transport thousands of passengers and hundreds of thousands of tons of cargo at an unbelievable speed, as well as a significant amount of goods around the world. Today, trains are used in various ways, from small city trams, metros, and passenger trains to various types of freight trains. However, they all have a common history. Changes in this type of transportation began in 1774 after the incredible discovery of the stationary steam engine by James Watt. Extensive work on steam locomotives began only after his invention was patented in 1800. Several inventors began working on improving Watt’s design. Of course, there were wagons pulled by horses on wooden rails long before that. The construction of the first non-compacting steam engines in the early nineteenth century gave engineers the opportunity to create a new type of rail system, and the invention of trains became one of the most important events in history for human progress. It is interesting to note that the first locomotive to move on steel rails was for transporting cargo, built by an engineer named Richard Trevithick in southern England. This was the beginning of the construction of freight trains, followed by passenger trains. However, there are many different accounts of the history of this type of transportation, but what is undeniable is that its start was in Europe and its development in other parts of the world.

The history of rail transportation in Iran

Iran has also moved in line with the world in using this type of transportation system and the national railway is a symbol of this forward movement. However, considering the greed of major countries towards Iran, the promotion of this transportation system has been more politically motivated than economically motivated in Iran. It can be said that rail transportation first took shape with the city tramway, also known as the steam engine, on the Tehran-Ray route, which was generally discontinued after the bankruptcy of the Belgian company that built it.

After the city tramway, the construction of the national railway began during the reign of Reza Shah with the aim of connecting the north to the south for easier transportation of goods. This line connected Bandar Imam to Bandar Turkmen and was executed by the German company, Bons. In fact, the main goal was economic development and the movement of freight trains on this route. After that, other lines were added to this route, including Mashhad-Garmsar and until today, we have witnessed the growth of this transportation system in Iran.

Advantages of rail transportation compared to other transportation methods

  • Need for less fuel: Rail transport requires less fuel compared to road transport. As a result, the fuel cost of rail transport is also lower (especially for transporting large volumes of cargo).
  • Less Pollution: Trains burn less fuel per distance traveled compared to trucks, making rail transport more environmentally friendly. For this reason, rail transport is also known as green transport.
  • High Capacity: One of the advantages of rail transport is its high capacity. Trains are capable of carrying heavy and bulky goods over long distances. In fact, sometimes a single train can carry a load equivalent to more than two hundred trucks, which can be very useful for freight transportation companies with large cargo loads. Additionally, its capacity can easily be increased by adding more railcars.
  • Reliable: The biggest advantage of rail transportation is its reliability, as it is less affected by weather conditions such as rain, fog, etc. compared to other transportation methods.
  • Safety: Railways are known as the safest mode of transportation, as the likelihood of accidents and breakdowns is lower compared to other transportation methods.
  • Better organization: Rail transport is better organized than any other type of transportation. It has fixed routes and schedules, and its services are more secure, uniform, and regular compared to other transportation methods.
  • High speed for long distances: Rail transport is faster than any other mode of transportation except air transport for long distances. Therefore, it is the best choice for long distances.
  • Cheaper transportation: Most of the costs of railways are fixed costs which decrease with an increase in the amount of cargo transported. Additionally, rail transport is cost-effective in the use of labor, and one driver and one guard are sufficient for cargo transportation.
  • Railways as part of a multi-modal transport: Using rail transport as a part of a multi-modal transportation can have significant advantages. When the distance between the origin and destination is made up of a combination of road and rail, trains can be used for long-distance transport of cargo and trucks for transporting cargo from the origin to the railway station or terminal, and then from the destination station/terminal to the final destination of the customer.

Disadvantages of rail transport

Despite the advantages we mentioned for rail transport, like other modes of transportation, it has limitations and disadvantages as well.

  • Long transport time: Compared to some transportation methods, such as air transport, rail transport has a longer transport time. Therefore, it is not recommended for time-sensitive goods.
  • Huge capital investment: Railways require large capital investment. The cost of construction, maintenance, and overhead costs is very high compared to other transportation methods. Additionally, if the constructed route does not have enough traffic, the investment may be a waste of resources.
  • Lack of flexibility: Another disadvantage of rail transport is the lack of flexibility. The routes and schedules cannot be adjusted according to individual needs.
  • Lack of door-to-door services: Rail transport cannot provide door-to-door services because it is limited to a specific route. Continuous loading or unloading on the route requires more cost, damage, and time.
  • Monopoly: Since railways require a huge capital, they may create a monopoly and act against public interests.
  • Unsuitable for short distances and small loads: Rail transport is not suitable and economical for transporting small volume goods and short distances.
  • Inadequate service in rural areas: Due to the need for high capital investment, the construction of railways in rural areas is not economically viable. Therefore, even today, some large rural areas do not have rail services, which causes a lot of discomfort for people living in rural areas.

Estimating rail transportation costs

Estimating the cost of rail transportation involves considering various aspects, including the distance to move the goods, geographical location, type of wagon and weight of the load, type of container used, and more. The combination of these factors affects the pricing of rail transportation. One noteworthy point in the discussion of rail transportation costs is that, with relatively low expenses, it is possible to increase the load capacity. Although the initial costs of rail transportation are significant, adding additional wagons to an existing train incurs relatively low costs. Therefore, the capacity of a freight train can be easily increased at relatively low costs.

Types of freight wagons

Heavy and durable industrial trains are now used more than ever for transporting goods between cities, countries, and even continents, carrying nearly half of the world’s goods. Their role is more significant than in the past. The main difference in freight trains lies in the types of wagons used to transport goods, and there are various types of wagons for transporting different types of cargo. These types include the following.

Introduction and Review of Features of Different Types of Freight Wagons

  1. Covered Wagon: One of the types of freight wagons for transporting vulnerable goods is the covered wagon.

Covered wagons are designed in such a way that their doors are completely locked and sealed to ensure that the cargo remains safe from any damage. This type of wagon is suitable for transporting the following types of goods:

Bulk cargoes such as wheat and corn, bagged goods such as food, chemical fertilizers, and all packaged goods that are susceptible to sunlight, moisture, and weather damage require specialized covered wagons. Covered wagons come in two models: 2-axle and 4-axle. The difference between these two models is the number of sliding doors and air vents. The 2-axle covered wagon has one sliding door and two air vents on each side, while the 4-axle covered wagon has two sliding doors and two air vents on each side to facilitate the loading and unloading of bulk goods. In the design of covered wagons, four roof hatches and six side windows are noticeable. These openings are securely attached to specific parts of the wagon through safe and sturdy locks. To prevent external agents from penetrating into the wagon from the outside, the roof hatches are covered with a rubber strip.

  1. Hopper wagon: One of the types of freight wagons with the ability to quickly unload and transport goods. Hopper wagons are suitable for carrying goods such as coal. One of the special features of these wagons is that they can unload and transport grains from the bottom.

  1. Flat wagon: A type of freight wagon suitable for heavy loads. Flat wagons are a model of freight wagons that consist of a flat surface and are used to transport heavy goods such as machinery, iron parts, steel bars, rebar, and containers.

Flat wagons, also known as platform wagons, are designed for transporting heavy goods and are equipped with steel pillars to ensure safety and secure the load. These pillars have the ability to rotate up to 90 degrees to fit along the lateral chassis of the wagon. To facilitate the passage of vehicles from one flat wagon to another, these wagons have edges at both ends. During loading, these edges are lowered onto the coupling and vehicles can easily pass over them. Flat wagons are mostly used for transporting containers. They are available in standard and wide models with 2, 4, and 6 axles. One type of flat freight wagon is called a low-loader and is used to transport goods that are heavy and tall.

  1. Refrigerated carriage: The best freight car for transporting perishable goods

Refrigerated carriages in 2- and 4-axle models are equipped with a cold storage facility to transport perishable goods such as food. In refrigerated carriages, there is a component called a refrigeration compressor that is connected to the engine and the ammonia refrigerant gas, and is responsible for cooling the carriage. Loading of goods takes place in compartments of the refrigerated carriage with a temperature ranging from negative 20 to positive 4 degrees Celsius. Insulation in carriages with refrigerators is done using the following materials:

– Fiberglass

– Acoustic sheets

– Synthetic cotton wood

– Lead sheets

– Stainless steel sheets

The side doors of the refrigerated carriage are covered with plastic seals and are completely closed to prevent warm air from entering the carriage.

5- Tank Wagon: The Safest Wagon for Transporting Liquids, Petroleum and Oils.

A tank wagon is a type of freight wagon with a cylindrical tanker and has a very similar appearance to storage containers. The thickness of the cylinder in tank wagons ranges from 8 to 12 millimeters and is made of steel sheets. Tank wagons transport sensitive materials such as liquids, petroleum, and oils, and their maximum capacity for loading is 56 tons. These sensitive materials are kept safe from possible damage due to the presence of some shock absorbers in tank wagons. In the construction of tank wagons, large circular doors with tight covers are embedded in the upper section for the entry of maintenance workers.

Next to this main door, there is another door with a gas and liquid discharge valve. The doors and discharge valve in the tank wagon are completely sealed and secure. Two valves can be seen on the wall of the tank wagon, one of which empties the gas inside the tank and the other valve collects air. Tank wagons, like other wagons, are built in two models, 2-axle and 4-axle.”

  1. High-edge wagon and its specifications with a loading capacity of 57 tons.

Transportation of low-weight and high-volume goods such as minerals and industrial goods is carried out through high-edge wagons. High-edge wagons are built in 2, 4 and 6-axle models, with the 4-axle model having a loading capacity of up to 57 tons.

Some high-edge wagons have bottom and side hatches, while others may not have any hatches. These hatches perform the function of unloading cargo on the wagon floor. At the end of each side of the high-edge wagons, there is an elevated edge that is connected to the wagon floor via springs. To facilitate the unloading of cargo, these high edges must be inclined downwards.

  1. Short Edge Wagon

Short edge wagons have a height of 40 to 60 centimeters and are built in two models of 2 and 4 axles. These wagons are used for transporting the following goods:

– Building materials

– Iron and steel products

– Machinery

– Heavy goods

– Containers

The maximum loading capacity of short edge wagons is 56 tons. When the side edges of short edge wagons are opened perpendicular to the railway line, they are also used as flat wagons.

  1. Stone Carrier Wagon, a type of high edge wagon with a different application.

Materials such as sand, coal, limestone, and minerals are transported using stone carrier wagons. These wagons are actually a type of high edge freight wagons that have a different application. The unloading of goods in stone carrier wagons is done directly through the bottom doors and special metal shields. Stone carrier wagons are built in two models of 2 and 4 axles. There are several unloading doors embedded in the longitudinal axis of the floor of these wagons.

  1. Car Carrier Wagon: Car carrier wagons are designed in two models: covered and open. If these wagons are of the open type, they are 25 meters long and can carry 12 to 15 cars. Car carrier wagons are used to transport passenger cars and light-duty vans.

  1. Hopper wagon: In the structure of Hopper wagons, covered sleeves are used to protect cargo against weather conditions. These wagons are used for transporting bulk cargoes such as fertilizer and cement.

How can we transport goods without worry and with confidence?

If you need to move your goods from one place to another, this process will definitely raise many questions in your mind. What is the best transportation method for my goods or how can I transport my goods at minimum cost? These are among the questions you will have in the field of transportation.

“Saba Logistics” international transportation company provides you with the best answers to all your concerns and needs for transporting goods so that you can transport your cargo with ultimate confidence and peace of mind. The services of this company include many items that we will refer to some of them below:

– Online inquiry of rates for various methods of cargo transportation

– Offering the most suitable and cost-effective method for transporting your cargo

– Zero to one hundred process of transporting goods at a reasonable price and in a short period of time

– Handling matters related to cargo transportation such as loading, unloading, warehousing, customs, clearance of goods, and…

– Issuing international insurance policies

– Entrust your cargo transportation from zero to one hundred to our experienced experts.

When do you choose to transport goods by rail: There are various situations where rail transport is the best available option:

  • When transporting internally from ports.
  • When sending large quantities in bulk.
  • When looking for high-speed delivery over long distances. Of course, only air transportation is faster, but it is not suitable for large shipments.
  • When transporting raw materials such as coal, metal ores, etc.
  • When searching for an environmentally friendly alternative to road transport, as rail transport uses at least 3 times less fuel than road transport.

Variables that determine the amount of rail transportation

Calculating the cost of transportation by rail depends on various factors, which are explained below. Do you want to know how much transportation by rail costs? Then be sure to keep all of these factors in mind.

  • Dimensions of transportation: This includes the size and weight of the transported goods.
  • Distance: Rail transport is the cheapest option for long-distance transportation.
  • Delivery type: Is the destination of delivery located near a railway station?
  • Nature of the goods: What kind of transportation is suitable for rail transportation? Fragile, toxic, flammable, etc.
  • Insurance: Depending on the nature of the transported goods, additional insurance requirements may also apply.
  • Customs clearance: When the cargo passes through borders, customs clearance and import fees may apply.