Truck and Track Autumn 2024 www.truckandtrack.com 66 RAILFREIGHT GB Railfreight (GBRf), one of the UK’s largest transporters of consumer and business goods, has opened a new maintenance facility in Tonbridge. The new site will bolster the efficiency of its locomotive maintenance regime which was formally opened by GBRf’s Chief Executive Officer, John Smith and Director General of the Rail Freight Group, Maggie Simpson OBE. The facility, which cost around £2.5m and is larger than nine double-decker buses, was built by Cairn Cross and will provide a purpose-built hub to maintain GBRf’s Class 73, 69 and 66 fleets. The building will be operated by various partners including EMD, Wabtec and St. Leonard’s Railway Engineering. The new maintenance facility will complement existing sites in Doncaster and Peterborough, significantly improving the operational efficiency of GBRf’s locomotive fleet in the south east of England. Significant carbon savings will result from reduced journey length required for maintenance. The increased capacity in GBRf’s locomotive maintenance programme will build on the business’ industry-leading reliability for customers, driving jobs, growth and investment across the UK. Tonbridge is a strategically important site for GBRf, which provides rail head treatment services for Network Rail from the site. These services, which ensure the smooth running of the passenger trains by cleaning the tracks of fallen leaves, snow and ice mean that commuters will benefit from safer, more reliable passenger rail services across the south east. John Smith, Chief Executive Officer at GB Railfreight, said, “Our new facility at Tonbridge demonstrates our commitment to continued investment and innovation in the rail network. The Tonbridge site will lead to increased efficiency for our locomotive fleet, which will benefit our customers, and operation of rail head treatment services will improve passenger experiences and safety across the region.” Adam Southern, Delivery Director Track Treatment at Network Rail, said, “Tonbridge is a key location for Network Rail’s autumn and winter services, helping the Southern Region battle against poor adhesion due to leaf-fall and the effects of frost on the running lines. GB Railfreight’s new Maintenance Hub will provide a greater level of resilience and reliability for the seasonal fleet, right where we need it.” Maggie Simpson OBE, Director General at the Rail Freight Group, said, “The rail freight sector is committed to growth – it’s fantastic to see private freight operators like GB Railfreight investing in facilities such as the new maintenance hub at Tonbridge. These facilities will provide additional capacity, reliability and resilience for rail freight customers across the country.” Adam Horton, Delivery Manager at Cairn Cross, said, “We are thrilled to announce the successful completion of our new Tonbridge facility for GB Railfreight. This state-of-the-art facility will play a vital role in enhancing the efficiency and capacity of the UK’s freight rail network, while also providing valuable economic benefits to the local community.” GB Railfreight opens maintenance facility in Tonbridge John Smith, CEO of GB Railfreight and Maggie Simpson OBE, Director General of the Rail Freight Group GB Railfreight (GBRf) has acquired four new electric Class 18 hybrid+ shunt locomotives to its growing fleet. These locomotives, alongside other industry-leading decarbonisation initiatives, will contribute to GBRf’s efforts to reduce the emissions of Great Britain’s supply chains. The new locomotives will be based across GBRf’s sites and will be used to support supply chain operations (SCO) services for Network Rail. These services ensure that the materials and components that keep the railway safe and operational are where they should be, when they need to be. Ensuring that all rail users, whether passenger or freight, are able to utilise a safe and efficient railway. As a part of GBRf’s decarbonisation strategy, the Class 18s are one of a number of initiatives aimed at reducing carbon emissions in the UK’s supply chains. Other initiatives include GBRf ordering 30 brand new hybrid Class 99 locomotives that will enter service in 2025; moving all sites to use energy sourced only from renewable source; an electric vehicle incentivisation scheme for staff and switching their van fleet to electric vehicles at the end of the current leasing agreement. The Class 18s were manufactured by Clayton Equipment Ltd and are powered by an onboard battery, with charging through a three-phase electric supply or via a regenerative braking system. The Bo-Bo locomotive is also self-contained, with an onboard diesel engine which meets EU Stage V emissions standards. David Golding, Asset Director - GB Railfreight, said, “The Class 18 hybrid+ shunt locomotives are another exciting step forward for GB Railfreight in modernising and decarbonising our business. By utilising them on SCO services, we’re making sure our partnership delivers a greener, more sustainable railway that works better for everyone.” Ross Theobald, Delivery Director, Supply Chain Services at Network Rail, said, “A greener supply chain helps us to operate more sustainably, with cleaner air for the people and wildlife that live nearby.” GB Railfreight adds new electric shunters as part of decarbonisation drive TRUCK & TRAILER SOLUTIONS WELCOME TOALLPORTS GROUP allportsgroup.co.uk
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