GB Railfreight (GBRf) has become the largest rail freight operator in Great Britain by two key measures published by the Office of Rail and Road.
The company accounted for 31.4% of freight train kilometres and 33.3% of freight vehicle kilometres, giving it the highest share among operators in both categories.
The figures come shortly after GBRf marked 25 years since operating its first train. The company began services in 2001 and has since expanded across a network serving locations including Fowey, Fort William, Penmaenmawr and the Isle of Grain.
GBRf transports containers, construction materials, biomass, consumer goods and supplies for railway and infrastructure projects. Its growth has been supported by investment in locomotives, wagons, depots and workforce training.
Recent fleet investment includes the introduction of Class 99 electro-diesel locomotives, alongside the expansion and modernisation of its wagon fleet and operating facilities.
“This milestone belongs to the thousands of colleagues, past and present, whose work has helped build GBRf into what it is today,” said John Smith, CEO of GB Railfreight.
The wider British rail freight sector contributes an estimated £2.5 billion annually to the economy. Freight operators also argue that moving goods by rail reduces road congestion and replaces thousands of heavy goods vehicle journeys.
