Rail exports to China

[Snowwolflair]

I am reliably informed that the first container train from UK to China is full of Whisky and Iron-Bru.

As if we don't already have a serious shortage of these delicacies here. 

[DELETED]

Just reading it on BBC news as you posted...

"soft drinks, vitamins and baby products"

I still can't see how it's anything more of a press gimic.  Not that I don't like the idea but I don't see how much of a big deal it is, and it still seems an inefficcient way of bulk transport that far to me.

I hope it's not full of Irn-Bru*, there's enough of whoflungdung steel in the world.  They'll only boil down the Irn-bru and sell is back to us as iron, made from "girrrrders"

*spelling

Rich

[njee20]

It's cheaper than airfreight and quicker than sea shipping. Seems incredibly logical to me.

Maybe none of those things need to be shipped by rail, but if we want it to come back it's really daft to send it to China with nothing on it.

[Newportnobby]

I wonder if there are any security measures in place to avoid a possible heist, especially as I hear a modern day 'Hole in the Wall' gang might be resurrected by descendants of 'Smith & Jones'

[Byegad]

Seems a good idea and great use of the Chunnel. However I tend to agree it's likely to be constantly politically fragile to interruptions and delays. Hopefully it becomes a regular run, cheaper than Air freight and faster than a ship has many attractions to shippers.

[Byegad]

Seems a good idea and great use of the Chunnel. However I tend to agree it's likely to be constantly politically fragile to interruptions and delays. Hopefully it becomes a regular run, cheaper than Air freight and faster than a ship has many attractions to shippers.

[austinbob]

I wonder if they'll ever consider taking passengers. Now that would be quite a trip!!

[Newportnobby]

I wonder if they'll ever consider taking passengers. Now that would be quite a trip!!

Good point, Bob. Can we export Michael Portillo and several others on a one way ticket please? Pretty please!?

[austinbob]

Not quite what I had in mind but, now you come to mention it....

[Yet_Another]

NPN - I've just noticed you've turned into a moderator - good luck with that.

I imagine they've just filled the wagons that came this way with something that will turn a profit back in China, otherwise I could imagine a continuous supply of cheap wagons piling up somewhere in Kent, cos it's not worth their while to send them back 

[Newportnobby]

No suggestions it is 30 containers of N gauge duffers please

[martyn]

In terms of the total numbers of containers entering and leaving the UK daily from/to China, these are very small numbers indeed. Most of the cargo will, in future, probably be high value or be time sensitive. I think the cost of a 40' container from China to UK by sea is currently about $1500 (it varies quite a bit recently); I suspect the rail charge will be somewhat higher.
Many containers going to China by sea are empty or UK recycled garbage.
Martyn

[themadhippy]

I wonder if they'll ever consider taking passengers. Now that would be quite a trip!

No real need as the route from  london to bejiing  via moscow  is already a well established passenger line.You can get  as far as saigon  from london  by train,and if you dont mind  getting  a bus through cambodia  you can get  to singapore.

[austinbob]

Ahh.. But this new route goes through parts of Essex - wouldn't want to miss that.