The freight subsidiaries of German Rail and Netherlands Railways merged on January 1 to form a new international freight operating company, Railion.

RAILION is owned mainly by German Rail (DB), which has 94% of the shares in the new company. Netherlands Railways (NS) has acquired the remaining shares, and it would appear from this deal that NS will have only a minor part to play in expanding the business and enjoying any financial benefits in the future.

However, such a suggestion is refuted by Mr Zeger van Asch van Wijck, the chief executive officer of Railion Benelux, the subsidiary of Railion which was created from the former NS Cargo. He told IRJ: "NS Cargo no ...