THE team behind a $235 million rail freight and industrial hub in Charlton say they are on target to begin construction next year.

InterlinkSQ will be a 200ha estate with its own customs office, manufacturing facilities and the ability to transfer road freight directly to rail.

It lies adjacent to the Western Rail Route, slated for major upgrades linking Melbourne to the Port of Brisbane via Charlton.

This week, I'm writing my column on the fast train from Paris to Lyon. I'm a fan of trains, especially the French TGV, which I've always found comfortable and efficient.

In fact, train is my preferred mode of travel. I'd rather be on the ground than on the sea or in the air.

Fast cars make me nervous. But I love the whoosh of speeding along by rail. Or even the teeth-rattling excitement of jolting through the landscape in an old train. I really feel I'm going places.