Rail is a cost-effective and environment friendly freight transport modality when used efficiently. Stakeholders around Dutch ports are discouraged to choose rail due to uncertain train schedules and the dispersed nature of freight flows across terminals in the port. To understand the challenges and opportunities of freight transport using rail, we used a combined approach of modelling and simulation gaming as participative research method. In addition to a simulation game, we developed a metamodel to simulate all possible choices of the players in the game. We designed and executed simulation gaming sessions with professionals and students. Within these sessions, we collected data in the form of surveys and in-game observations on the behaviour of the players. We compared and contrasted the results of the metamodel with those of the gaming sessions. The main contribution of the research is the provision of a deep insight into the challenges and opportunities offered by efficient transportation of containers using rail. The combined approach allows us to assess the effectiveness of various incentives to consolidate freight, promote intermodal transportation and to encourage the development of efficient services for rail freight transport.@en