COVER STORY: European rail freight comparison

In 2014, UK had the fourth highest volume of freight moved by rail (22.1 billion net tonne kilometres). This was behind Germany (112.6 billion), Poland (50.1 billion) and France (32.2 billion).

Twenty-five of the 28 member countries submitted data to the European Union for 2013 and 2014. Over that period, freight moved in the EU rose by 1.1%, compared with a 1.2% drop in the UK. The key drivers were growth in Sweden (21.3 billion net tonne kilometres - up 1.6%), Austria (20.5 billion - up 6.3%) and Italy (20.1 billion - up 5.4%).

In 2014, 108.5 million tonnes of freight was lifted in the UK. Despite a fall of 7.8% compared with 2013, this still left the UK third behind Germany (365.0 million) and Poland (227.8 million). These countries also recorded falls in 2013, with Germany dropping 8.7 million and Poland 4.8 million.

• For much more on rail freight, read RAIL 803, published today (June 8).