International railroad transportation

International railroad transportation in Russia originated a little later, than building of first railroads in 1837. Then the building of Tsarskoye Selo railroad started by the decree of emperor Nikolay I. Railroads in Russia were used only for transportation of passengers, in particular armies for a long time.

First of all the railroad is a political question, then a strategic one, and then already an economic.

Count S.U. Vitte used to tell that, he was one of the most influential ministers for all the history of Russia. The Trans-Siberian railway and also the Chinese-east railway on the territory next to China have been constructed at his governing. Naturally enough that at technologies of that time building of railroads was unprofitable. But it has not prevented the development of international railroad transportation as Russian empire had been interested in getting to new markets in Asian-Pacific region. Second half of the 19 century is usually considered as the origin period of international transportations..

Today international railroad transportations are very much in demand and popular among clients requiring a stable delivery of products without problems. The basic advantages of railroad cargoes transportation are:

• High speed of surface transportation;
• Accuracy of time and terms of cargoes delivery;
• A rather small cost.

Among the disadvantages the following ones are worth mentioning:

• Railroad transportation is first of all work with the slow Russian Railway which sometimes makes absurd demands;
• Locomotive drivers and railroad employees who can spoil at trackside and overload.

Proceeding from the negative factors of railroad use for cargoes international transportations, it is extremely recommended to charge the organisation of transportation to a professional logistical company, such as TransVip. TransVip possesses the whole range of solutions on realisation of railroad transportation, has agreements on cooperation with Russian Railway.

It is also worth mentioning that Russian railroad is a little wider than European. It is even called like that "Russian track" and has a width of 1520 mm (5 foots). Russian track is extended on all post-Soviet territory. Europeans use a track which is a little narrower - 1435 mm. There is a version that the difference in a track has been made to prevent fast advancement of armies in case of war of USSR with European countries and vice versa. In any case the difference in a track essentially influences the realisation of international railroad transportation between Russia and the European countries.

Complexity arising from the fact is a necessity of either changes of train carts, or overloading of cargoes. The second is performed more often as Russian Railway is not engaged in transportation of cargoes across the European part of continent. In its turn it means that the logistical company should have arrangements not only with Russian Railway, but also with European private railway companies.

Presence of the logistical company expert at a place of cargo transfer is also very important, or otherwise cargo can be damaged by inaccurate railroad employees.

Mainly containers are used for railroad cargoes transportation. They can be of the following kinds:

• 3-ton;
• 5-ton;
• 20-foot (Standard), standard;
• 20-foot upgraded (Upgraded), of excess loading;
• 20-foot OT (Open Top), with open/tented top;
• 40-foot DC (Dry Container), standard;
• 40-foot HC (High Cube), of excess capacity;
• 40-foot OT (Open Top), with open/tented top.

The container type is selected depending on cargo type to be transported. Besides, cargoes can be also transported by railroad at the so-called flat platforms (flat track). Most of all it suits for machines transportation. They are quickly loaded at a platform and fixed.

If you need to make transportation of bulk cargoes it is possible to use special hopper cars for this purpose, and for railroad transportation of liquid cargoes - special tank cars. Only a professional logistical company is capable to select the necessary platform for transportation, to plan an itinerary, to make agreements with railroad authorities.

The most important thing is that while using services of professionals you actually save your money.

First, a large logistical company has discounts for railroad cargo transportation so their profit is being formed not at your expense, but at the expense of the railroad tariffs.

Secondly, you save much time and insure yourself against the risks connected to cargo railroad transportation. A typical example is damage of the container during railroad transportation. In that case, a customer should arrive to a place of breakage and check the cargo reloading. Addressing to a specialised logistical company, you receive a guarantee for absence of problems with delivery of cargoes by railroad.