Railway transportation

Railway transportation is highly suitable for bulk cargoes, containerised products, and liquids or gases in tank wagons. It offers a highly practical solution for locations not near inland waterways. At Peterson, we act as a full 4PL partner, taking charge of the entire logistics chain with a single point of contact. We relieve your operations through a one-stop-shop approach, integrating transport with services such as inspection and analysis.

    Rail freight, the solution for large volumes

    We use rail freight to move large volumes in a single operation. This supports companies needing a reliable alternative to road transport, including on routes where water transport is unavailable or affected by low water levels. Rail is more environmentally friendly than trucks, and we tailor the transport to various cargo requirements using specialised wagon types. Peterson is more than logistics.

    Peterson supply chain partner – rail transport.jpg

    Efficiency on the rails

    • Move dry bulk in dedicated bulk wagons for high-volume single movements

    • Transport containerised goods in standard containers as part of integrated rail flows

    • Use specialised tank wagons for products such as CO2 and other gases

    Trust well placed

    Our solution always fits your demands

    Peterson Inland shipping

    Step 1

    Send your request and key route and cargo details. We use our experience to give an initial cost indication so you can quickly assess feasibility.

    Peterson Storage and inventory

    Step 2

    We design the optimal solution by selecting a carrier with a total concept or by leasing wagons and arranging locomotive capacity via leasing companies and operators.

    Peterson Planning and coordination

    Step 3

    We present a detailed proposal and confirm if it makes sense to proceed. After approval, we set up a longer-term shuttle, preferably for a full year.

    Peterson is more than logistics

    Integrated rail freight & 4PL approach you can rely on

    We link rail with other modalities into one plan, with one point of contact. You get a partner known for quality and trust, backed by expertise in modern rail solutions.

    • Full supply chain management as a professional 4PL partner

    • Ability to link rail with road and water into one cohesive plan

    • Expertise in modern locomotive capabilities that reduce traditional rail drawbacks

    Peterson Nederland
    At Peterson, we often see an outdated view of rail. With the latest generation of locomotives, trains can run from point A to point B without complex changes, improving speed, cost efficiency, and reliability.
    Marcel de Boer – Peterson
    Trust well placed

    Ask us anything

    Read our frequently asked questions here.

    Yes, we can deliver reliable transit times. Freight trains do not have priority over passenger services, but modern locomotives that can run from point A to point B without being changed have improved efficiency. We set a realistic schedule for your specific route.

    Rail is designed for large volumes, with a typical train carrying around 1600 tonnes. It works best as a long-term shuttle rather than a single trip. For maximum efficiency, we prefer contracts of at least one year.

    Rail is typically more cost-effective than road transport for large volumes, but more expensive than inland shipping. During low water periods, barges often carry less, costs rise, and rail becomes a strong alternative when wagons are available.

    Get in touch with our railway transportation experts

    Request a quotation or freely discuss any question? Please fill out the form below and we will get back to you a.s.a.p.

    Peterson – Contact

    "*" indicates required fields

    Name*

    Your trusted supply chain partner

    From planning, transportation and distribution, warehousing, inspections, certifications, testing and sustainability consultancy. You can trust your supply chain with us.

    Peterson Supply chain partner

    Supply chain solutions

    Peterson drives the supply chain forward. Smart, sustainable, and future-oriented.
    Where in the supply chain can we help?

    Planning & coordination

    Planning & coordination

    Port & terminal

    Port & terminal

    Storage & inventory

    Storage & inventory

    Transport & distribution

    Transport & distribution

    Lab analyses, inspections & certifications

    Lab analyses, inspections & certifications

    Digital solutions & sustainability consultancy

    Digital solutions & sustainability consultancy

    What’s your industry?

    Deep industry experience built over generations.
    How can we help strengthen your supply chain?

    Waste & recycling

    Waste & recycling

    Agri

    Agri

    Project cargo

    Project cargo

    Metals & minerals

    Metals & minerals

    Energy

    Energy

    Feed

    Feed

    Biofuels

    Biofuels

    Construction & infrastructure

    Construction & infrastructure