# rail freight transport

*Last updated: 2026-06-22*

> Rail freight transport is the movement of goods by railway vehicles across a fixed track network, operated by rail carriers in single-wagon, wagon-group, or full block-train services.

Rail freight transport is the movement of goods by railway vehicles across a fixed track network, operated by rail carriers in single-wagon, wagon-group, or full block-train services. Compared with road haulage, it offers lower costs per tonne-kilometre for heavy, bulky, or high-volume cargo and generates significantly fewer CO₂ emissions. The trade-offs are longer transit times and reduced routing flexibility. In combined transport, containers and swap bodies bridge the gap between rail and road, enabling door-to-door services. Internationally, the CIM Uniform Rules (Appendix B to the COTIF Convention) govern liability and documentation for cross-border rail freight.

**Source:** [https://www.otif.org/en/what-we-do/legal-texts/cotif.html](https://www.otif.org/en/what-we-do/legal-texts/cotif.html)

## Quick Facts

| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Term | rail freight transport |
| Language | EN |
| Word count | 95 |
| Last updated | 2026-06-22 |
| Source | https://www.otif.org/en/what-we-do/legal-texts/cotif.html |

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*Logistics Glossary — Freight Academy: [https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/rail-freight-transport-4](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/rail-freight-transport-4)*

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