h-cargopoint provides efficient, reliable rail freight solutions for intercity and cross-border cargo. Rail is ideal for heavy, bulk and long-distance shipments that need lower cost-per-ton than road and faster transit than sea. Learn more at h-cargopoint.com.

Overview

Train freight (rail freight) moves goods using wagons and containers on scheduled rail corridors. We coordinate rail legs with road or sea for true multimodal logistics, offering scheduled block trains, intermodal container services and private wagon solutions.

Our Rail Services

Block Train Services

Dedicated block trains for single-customer volumes. Block trains provide predictable transit, capacity assurance and simplified handling at origin and destination terminals.

Intermodal Container Rail

Seamless container movement between ports and inland terminals. We manage container pickup, rail routing and final-mile drayage for door delivery.

Wagon & Wagonload Services

Single-wagonload (less-than-trainload) solutions for smaller consignments and bulk wagon hire for irregular or project cargo.

Project & Heavy Lift

Tailored wagons, engineered loading plans and route surveys for oversized or heavy project cargo. We handle permits and transshipment where required.

Terminal & Transshipment

Management of rail terminals, crane or reach-stacker operations, container depots and cross-dock transshipment to road transport.

Network & Coverage

We partner with national and regional rail operators to provide scheduled services on major freight corridors. Our inland terminals and intermodal hubs connect to seaports and major industrial centers.

  • Domestic corridor coverage
  • Cross-border and regional rail links
  • Interchange with ocean and road networks

Benefits of Rail Freight

  • Cost-efficiency: lower cost per ton-km for heavy and bulk goods.
  • Environmental: lower CO₂ emissions compared with road transport.
  • Capacity: high volume movement with economies of scale.
  • Reliability: scheduled rail services and predictable transit windows.
  • Safety: reduced accident risk for long-distance bulk shipments.

How Our Train Freight Works

1. Request & Route Planning

Provide origin, destination, commodity details and required timing. Our planners select the best rail corridor and mode (container vs wagon).

2. Pre-Transport Handling

We arrange container stuffing or wagon loading, securement checks and weighbridge verification to ensure compliance with rail load limits.

3. Rail Transport & Monitoring

Trains run on scheduled departures. We monitor movement via partner systems and provide milestone updates for critical points (departure, arrival at interchange, terminal arrival).

4. Terminal Operations & Handover

At destination terminals we coordinate unloading, customs formalities (if cross-border) and handover to road carriers for last-mile delivery.

5. Final Delivery & Documentation

Final delivery is confirmed and transport documentation (rail consignment note, CMR for road legs, or bill of lading where applicable) is issued electronically.

Equipment Types

We provide and coordinate a variety of rail equipment depending on cargo:

  • Standard intermodal containers (20', 40' HC)
  • Flat wagons and skeletal wagons for containers or machinery
  • Hopper wagons for bulk commodities (grains, minerals)
  • Tank wagons for liquids and chemicals (subject to regulations)
  • Specialist wagons for oversized/project cargo

Compliance & Safety

Rail transport requires strict adherence to weight, loading and dangerous-goods rules. We prepare declarations, route approvals, and safety documentation to ensure regulatory compliance and safe transit.

Dangerous Goods & Hazardous Materials

For hazardous cargo we follow local rail authority regulations and required packaging/placarding. Not all commodities are accepted on every corridor—our team will advise restrictions during booking.

Performance Metrics

Track key metrics to measure and improve your rail freight performance:

  • On-time departures & arrivals
  • Dwell time at terminals
  • Damage rate per 1,000 units
  • Container utilization and wagon turnaround

Pricing & Contracts

Pricing depends on equipment, distance, corridor tariffs and terminal handling fees. We offer spot bookings, regular contract rates and full train charters. Contact our commercial team for tailored quotes and transit time guarantees.

Case Study

Industrial Supplier: 30% Lower Transport Cost

A heavy-merchant switched bulk shipments to scheduled block trains and reduced transport cost by 30% while improving schedule reliability and reducing carbon footprint.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is rail faster than sea freight?

Rail is typically faster than sea for inland routes and for door-to-door intermodal moves (port-to-inland), but slower than air. It often offers the best balance of cost and speed for long land corridors.

Can you move containers from port to inland by rail?

Yes — we provide port-to-inland intermodal services and handle container clearance, terminal handling and drayage at origin and destination.

What documentation is required?

Typical documents include rail consignment notes, commercial invoice, packing list, and customs documents for cross-border shipments. Specific corridors may require additional permits.