Direct answer. Rail freight refers to the transport of goods by train. Combined transport (or intermodal transport) pairs rail with one or more other modes, most often road, using standardized load units (containers, swap bodies, semi-trailers) transshipped without handling the goods themselves.
Working definition: this term is not strictly standardized in the French-language professional documentation consulted; the definition above reflects common industry usage and should be confirmed before any contractual use.
Rail for the main leg, road for the ends
Pure rail freight, whether full wagonload or single wagonload, transports goods directly from one point to another by rail, generally for large volumes and long distances where trains remain competitive against road. Combined rail-road transport, more common in modern logistics setups, structures the journey in three stages: road pre-carriage (the "first mile") brings the goods, already loaded into their intermodal transport unit, to a rail terminal; the main leg is then carried out by train over the long distance; road post-carriage (the "last mile") finally delivers the goods to their final destination.
The value of combined transport lies in this absence of handling of the goods themselves during mode changes: only the load unit (container, swap body, sometimes the entire semi-trailer) is transferred from one vehicle to another by gantry cranes or specialized lifting equipment, which limits the risks and costs compared with manual transshipment. Combined transport is presented by the industry as a lever for decarbonizing long-distance flows, with road reserved for the two ends of the journey where rail is not accessible.
In practice, the use of rail freight or combined transport depends heavily on the availability of a terminal close to the origin and destination sites, the volume to be transported and the acceptable lead time, with trains generally being less flexible than a truck on scheduling.
FAQ
What is the difference between rail freight and combined transport?
Rail freight refers to end-to-end transport by train. Combined transport pairs rail, for the main long-distance leg, with road for the pre- and post-carriage, using a standardized load unit transshipped without direct handling of the goods.
Does combined transport suit all flows?
Not necessarily: it requires an accessible rail terminal near the origin and destination, sufficient volume to justify rail, and tolerance for lead times that are somewhat less flexible than a direct end-to-end road transport.
Related terms
Freight · Consolidated freight (groupage) · Chartering · 3PL / 4PL · Transport plan · Volume consolidation.
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