ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the system of operation of containers in door-to-door transport to establish the characteristics and constraints of the system. Rail uses the container to make the transfer of loads for collection and delivery more efficient and improve its door-to-door operation. The function of the container is that in overseas trade—it standardises the shape of a load for movement through a transport system of more than one vehicle. The implication for the freight market facing inland container systems is obvious: the bulk of traffic between major centres is concentrated on the 'medium'-distance routes in the 100 to 200 mile range. The inland container system is composed of three distinct route networks. The first is the comparatively well developed British Rail freightliner system for inland trade linking the main centres of population in Great Britain. The second is a small network of special container trains for major users. Third is a small network of special container trains for major users.
