Russian rail freight, a barometer for broad economic health in the vast country where trains are a key means of transport, rose 8.8 percent in 2010, broadly in line with expectations, Russian Railways said.

The state rail monopoly transported 1.205 billion tonnes of cargo in 2010, an improvement on the recession-hit 2009, but still around 10 percent below the pre-crisis level of 2007.

Russian Railways expects freight volumes to recover to pre-crisis levels no earlier than 2013, and sees growth of over 3 percent in 2011. (Reuters)