ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the dynamics of freight transport in Switzerland and Great Britain. Rail construction began a half century later in Switzerland than in Great Britain, but the process was essentially the same: private investors set up routes where they believed they could convey enough passengers and/or freight to earn a return on their investment. The new national company in Switzerland — SBB — became a pioneer in electrification. Great Britain is a plain, without geographic obstacles comparable to those of Switzerland. The national rail company in Switzerland enjoyed public and political support from its creation and it was the pride of the country. Both Great Britain and Switzerland have, at some time, drafted grandiose master plans for the all-encompassing management of transport. In comparison, rail freight has been growing continuously in Switzerland. Switzerland has just started D2 and finds it difficult to change the working habits of its former state company.
