Join Fishplate — it’s free
Free
Create an account to help complete vehicle info and get more out of pages like
this.
- Add missing details (numbers, operators, headcodes) when they aren’t in the video
- Get recognised for contributions with points & badges
- Save favourites and come back to vehicles you’re tracking
GBRF
Last edited by
railwayadam
• 7 months ago
GB Railfreight is a leading private freight operator in the UK, renowned for its diverse locomotive fleet and high reliability across the national rail network.
Founded
2000
Status
Active
Country
UK
Also known as:
Trademail Limited (original name), First GBRf, Europorte GBRf
GB Railfreight (GBRf) is the UK's third-largest rail freight operator and a dominant force in the nation's logistics sector. Unlike its major competitors, which were largely formed from the privatised remnants of British Rail, GBRf was a "clean sheet" startup founded by John Smith in 1999. Today, the company operates over 1,000 trainloads a week, moving roughly 23% of the UK's rail cargo. Their operations are incredibly diverse, spanning intermodal containers for global shipping lines, biomass for Drax Power Station, infrastructure support for Network Rail, and the "bin liner" waste services that are a staple of the West Coast and Midland Main Lines.
The company's history is marked by rapid growth and several high-profile changes in ownership. After its launch as a subsidiary of GB Railways, it was acquired by FirstGroup in 2003 and rebranded as First GBRf, a period during which it famously took over the Royal Mail "Mail by Rail" contract. It was later sold to Europorte (part of the Getlink Group) in 2010, then to the EQT/Hector Rail group in 2016, and finally to its current owner, Infracapital, in 2019. Despite these corporate shifts, the company has maintained a remarkably consistent culture and is well-regarded for its high reliability and innovative approach to "open access" freight.
For enthusiasts, GBRf is celebrated for its eclectic and colourful fleet, headlined by over 100 Class 66 locomotives. The company is known for its "one-off" liveries, including the rainbow "Pride of GB Railfreight" and various heritage-inspired schemes. Beyond the "Sheds," the fleet includes the unique Class 73/9 electro-diesels and Class 92 electrics used for the Caledonian Sleeper, as well as the newly introduced Class 99 bi-mode locomotives. Their recent Class 69 project—rebuilding ageing Class 56s with modern EMD engines—has also been a point of significant interest for those following the technical evolution of UK motive power.
The company's history is marked by rapid growth and several high-profile changes in ownership. After its launch as a subsidiary of GB Railways, it was acquired by FirstGroup in 2003 and rebranded as First GBRf, a period during which it famously took over the Royal Mail "Mail by Rail" contract. It was later sold to Europorte (part of the Getlink Group) in 2010, then to the EQT/Hector Rail group in 2016, and finally to its current owner, Infracapital, in 2019. Despite these corporate shifts, the company has maintained a remarkably consistent culture and is well-regarded for its high reliability and innovative approach to "open access" freight.
For enthusiasts, GBRf is celebrated for its eclectic and colourful fleet, headlined by over 100 Class 66 locomotives. The company is known for its "one-off" liveries, including the rainbow "Pride of GB Railfreight" and various heritage-inspired schemes. Beyond the "Sheds," the fleet includes the unique Class 73/9 electro-diesels and Class 92 electrics used for the Caledonian Sleeper, as well as the newly introduced Class 99 bi-mode locomotives. Their recent Class 69 project—rebuilding ageing Class 56s with modern EMD engines—has also been a point of significant interest for those following the technical evolution of UK motive power.
GBRF train videos - page 10
Showing 500 of 13,146 videos.
▶
No Thumbnail
West Coast Mainline trains
Fantastic Few hours at Tamworth+Nuneaton Station Freight & Passenger Trains HST test train 5/08/25
▶
No Thumbnail
West Coast Mainline trains
Fantastic Busy Day At Derby Station Lot off stuff leaving the Railway 200 Event 5th August 2025
▶
No Thumbnail
West Coast Mainline trains
Fantastic Day at Derby Tamworth Crewe Stations 31st July 2025
Trains & Freight Diaries
Nuneaton Station Rail Action , Pendolinos, Class 66, 67, 68, 70, 90s July 2025
▶
No Thumbnail
West Coast Mainline trains
Busy Fantastic Evening At Derby Station 4 Different convoys lot Locomotives 30th July 2025
The Devon Trainspotter
Admin trains on Lakeside Rail including @LaZeRJET and @ThatRealMachineGuy's train!
![The Greatest Gathering in Derby! The Final Day! Part of Railway 200 [3/8/25]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/aR48XhMA0XY/hqdefault.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEmCKgBEF5IWvKriqkDGQgBFQAAiEIYAdgBAeIBCggYEAIYBjgBQAE=&rs=AOn4CLA0eVbbbaZCa3qFqfxjZLrYZBL-RA)
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Greatest Gathering. 3rd Aug.2025. 93009 on the move, most exhibits covered, inside and outside.
▶
No Thumbnail
West Coast Mainline trains
Fantastic Busy Day in Derbyshire Freight/Passenger/Light locos Much More 30th July 2025
South East Railway Videos
‘The Greatest Gathering Shuttle’ | GBRf Class 69s + GBRf Class 57 arrive at Derby - 1/8/2025 (4K)
![Trainspotting at Eastleigh Part 1! Lots of freight & rarities around! [Check desc] 28/7/25](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/HnY1XRIu_Es/hqdefault.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEmCKgBEF5IWvKriqkDGQgBFQAAiEIYAdgBAeIBCggYEAIYBjgBQAE=&rs=AOn4CLDtrhEGAGrcE5tY9WuADYX8tpGvPA)
![GBRF 69005 "Eastleigh" passing through Eastleigh with a Civil Engineer! [First sight] 28/7/25](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/AD40WG5iMc0/hqdefault.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEmCKgBEF5IWvKriqkDGQgBFQAAiEIYAdgBAeIBCggYEAIYBjgBQAE=&rs=AOn4CLA8gnME4V8yMQfCpjWeyJL-TonQaQ)
Robbinsman Transport
Trains Around London - 10th July 2025 | Incl. Steam, Classes 52, 50, 46, 42, 37, 66
spompeytransportvideo
BR in the 2010s A busy Afternoon at Eastleigh Station and Works on 5th May 2012
swindon_rail enthusiast
DCR 60029 TnT GBRf 57303 'Tytherington Quarrier' tour + DCR 56103 @ Avoncliff | 12/07/25
spompeytransportvideo
BR in the 2010s Compilation of Short Visits from 2012 Volume 1 of 3 (January - March)
swindon_rail enthusiast
GB Railfreight 66714 'Cromer Lifeboat' to Garsdon Car Terminal @ Stafford | 10/07/25
![[CHECK DESC] GBRF 66768 "Yvonne Bradley" thrashing out of Ashford International on 0Z01! 30/6/25](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/RFgOfjQvFLQ/hqdefault.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEmCKgBEF5IWvKriqkDGQgBFQAAiEIYAdgBAeIBCggYEAIYBjgBQAE=&rs=AOn4CLCNQXqG_U5cOVCZWFhjnq2yMWKbMw)
The Devon Trainspotter
The West Somerset Railway Diesel Festival with a few surprises (66751 + 57310 and 40013)
The East Anglian Spotter
Severn Valley Railway spring diesel gala 2025 action at Kidderminster 17/5/25
