Rail Freight in the 21st Century

Freight operations on Britains rail network have changed enormously in the last two decades, with author and photographer Paul D. Shannon surveying the changes and illustrating the different freight operating companies, traction, and wagons. Views include terminals, sea ports, and inland, and a wide range of goods carried, including aggregates, cement, minerals, waste, metals, and energy materials. Intermodal freight carrying containers is also important, and other logistical freight operations include mail and parcels.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 96 pages
Publication date: 15 December 2022
Publisher: Amberley Publishing

In the past two decades, the freight operations on Britain's rail network have undergone significant transformations. Author and photographer Paul D. Shannon has extensively documented these changes in his book, exploring the rail freight scene since the year 2000. Through a series of stunning color photographs, Shannon showcases the diverse range of freight operating companies, the various traction methods employed, and the wide array of wagons that were in operation during this period. The book offers a comprehensive view of the terminals, including sea ports and inland facilities, where goods of various types were transported. From construction materials like aggregates and cement to minerals, waste, and even specialty items like china clay, gypsum, and potash, a wide variety of goods were carried during this time. Additionally, the transportation of metals and energy materials such as coal, nuclear, and biomass played a crucial role in the freight landscape. Intermodal freight carrying containers also gained prominence, alongside other logistical freight operations such as mail and parcels. While the wagonload network may have experienced a decline, certain niche markets, such as timber, continued to thrive, and there was also a growing demand for specialized goods like bottled water. Paul D. Shannon's captivating photographs provide a fascinating overview of the recent and present-day freight scene in Britain, offering a glimpse into the intricate workings of this vital industry.

Weight: 276g
Dimension: 165 x 233 x 10 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781398111844