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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 17
Showing 500 of 13,146 videos.
The Railway Tavern 🍺
2023 FIRST RUN! 45699 but in WHAT NAME?! Plus DOUBLE FREIGHT. LMS, Class 47, 66 70
swindon_rail enthusiast
GBRf 66791 on a Castle Cement Train to Avonmouth @ Bristol Parkway | 30/01/23
swindon_rail enthusiast
Ex DRS 66304 light loco heads to Margam T.C. GBRf passing Trowbridge | 22/01/23
TheTrainSpotter2005
BLS Adrian’s Swansong railtour with 37418 and 50008 at Bicester north (14/01/23)
![[Train horns and Many Trains] Trains at Nuneaton 21/12/22](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/edypXMksu3o/hqdefault.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEmCKgBEF5IWvKriqkDGQgBFQAAiEIYAdgBAeIBCggYEAIYBjgBQAE=&rs=AOn4CLC8QjX9r7_ba-LTOecetH17PfZK-g)
swindon_rail enthusiast
Trains at: Newport and Cardiff Central with an awesome tones offering 25/11/22
Southernrailwaysfan
GBRf Class 69s - 69001 + 69006 On RHTT At Tonbridge - Tuesday 22nd November 2022
swindon_rail enthusiast
GBRf 66734 'Platinum Jubilee' + WCR 37668 on RHTT @ Westbury /Castle Cary 23/10/22
swindon_rail enthusiast
66746 TnT 66743 Royal Scotsman Tour of Britain passing Bradford On Avon 30/09/22
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Rails in Wales at Cardiff/Newport. Logs, steel, containers, RTC, IEP and HSTs
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Triple Heading. 37901/31130/D9521 at Dean Forest.Open window sounds too. 17.09.22.
swindon_rail enthusiast
GBRf 47739 heads light loco through Trowbridge to Leicester L.I.P. with a 1 tone 08/09/22
swindon_rail enthusiast
50007 + 50049 GBRf Staff Charter | Trains in Devon | South West Rover day 5 | 27/08/22
