New opportunities and challenges have been presented to firms operating in the rail freight sector since privatisation. 

In a speech to the Rail Engineers Forum Technical Seminar 2015, Parliamentary under-secretary of state for transport Claire Perry emphasised that this is the case. 

A range of recent successes enjoyed by rail freight were pointed out by the minister. Rail's share of the overall national freight market has doubled to 11 per cent, and productivity has improved considerably. 

Although rail freight now carries 70 per cent more goods, it accounts for 30 per cent fewer train paths to do so. 

Ms Perry emphasised the need for new and improved infrastructure to maintain a competitive advantage, noting that Crossrail provides a strong model. 

"Sensors on trains, low-maintenance components, new materials that increase the life of the infrastructure," have been implemented on Crossrail. 

"For freight, there is the challenge of creating similar innovations, particularly to reduce wear and tear on the track," Ms Perry commented.