Ontario International Transport and logistics Chapter 7: Rail and Intermodal

RAIL TRANSPORT Definition: Means of conveyance of passengers and goods by way of wheeled vehicles running on rail tracks. Rolling stock generally has lower frictional resistance when compared with highway vehicles, and the carriages and wagons can be coupled into longer trains. The operation is carried out by a Railway company, providing transport between train stations or freight customer facilities. Mainly, locomotives which either draw electrical power (Europe) or by diesel engines (Americas). Safe land transportation systems when lower traffic levels are considered. Capable of high levels of cargo utilization, energy efficiant but less flexible routes.

RAIL TRANSPORT NORTH AMERICA

RAIL TRANSPORT IN CANADA Canada has an east-west railway system that today transports freight. There are two major privately owned transcontinental freight railway systems, the Canadian National (CN) and Canadian Pacific Railway (CP). Passengers are carried nationally with VIA. Passenger services are provided by the federal crown corporation Via Rail. Canada has 49,422 kilometers (30,709 mi) total trackage, of which only 129 kilometers (80 mi) is electrified. Canada uses 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+ 1 ⁄ 2 in) track for the majority of its railway system. The exceptions to this are small lines isolated from the main North American rail network used mainly in manufacturing and resource industries such as mining or forestry, some of which are narrow gauge.

CN NETWORK MAP

INTERMODAL FREIGHT TRANSPORT Intermodal freight transport involves the transportation of freight in an intermodal container or vehicule, using multiple modes of transportation (rail, ship and road), without any handling of the freight itself when changing modes. The method reduces cargo handling, and so improves security, reduces damages and losses, and allows freight to be transported faster. Reduced costs versus over road trucking is the key benefit for intracontinental use + less carbon monoxyde The negative is that it takes longer than normal truck delivery would.

SHIPPING CONTAINERS and SEMI-TRAILERS (Piggy back)

FREIGHT WELL CAR

EQUIPMENT

DOUBLE STACK CONTAINER TRANSPORT Since 1984, a mechanism for intermodal shipping known as double-stack rail transport has become increasingly common. Rising to the rate of nearly 70% of United States intermodal shipments, it transports more than one million containers per year in Canada and the USA. The double-stack rail cars design significantly reduces damage in transit and provides greater cargo security by cradling the lower containers so their doors cannot be opened. Some countries (mainly Europe, India, NZ) don’t have overpass infrastructure high enough to enable double-stacking.

INTERMODAL

INTERMODAL STATIONS

DOUBLE STACK CONTAINER TRANSPORT, Long Beach, CA

HANDLING EQUIPMENT Transtrainers for transferring containers from sea-going vessels onto either trucks or rail wagons. A transtainer is mounted on rails with a large boom spanning the distance between the ship's cargo hold and the quay, moving parallel to the ship's side. Gantry cranes (blue) also known as straddle carriers, are able to straddle rail and road vehicles, allowing for quick transfer of containers. A spreader beam moves in several directions allowing accurate positioning of the cargo.

HANDLING EQUIPMENT Grappler lift, which is very similar to a straddle carrier (yellow) Reach stackers are fitted with lifting arms as well as spreader beams and lift containers to swap bodies or stack containers on top of each other.

CRANES

CONTAINER by ROAD

SERVICES As it is in air, road and sea transportation, many electronic tools are at the fingertips or rail users. Take a look at

RAIL PRICING

Transportation Management  On site logistics management with full integrated services