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GBRF
Last edited by
railwayadam
• 5 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 26
Showing 63 of 12,563 videos.
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Lea Road trains & FoHA talks
66762 the train with no name 4L08 with 56 containers 17;52 187L 13/8/2025
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Lea Road trains & FoHA talks
“Blue Lightning” 66702 4L00 with 2 drivers and 43 containers 17;07 5E 13/8/2025
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Lea Road trains & FoHA talks
“Sir Sam Fay Great Central Railway” 66707 4L11 with 39 containers 12;42 13E 14/8/2025
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Lea Road trains & FoHA talks
“Sheffield Wednesday” 66726 6E57 with 24 Ermewa JNA Wagons 09;20 4L 14/8/2025
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Lea Road trains & FoHA talks
Double header!!! “Cambois Depot 25 years” & “Charity Railtours” 66778 & 66782 4E39 13/8/2025
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Lea Road trains & FoHA talks
69013 “Andy’s Man Club it’s okay to talk” 6E30 & 6 sleeper filled Wascosa flatbed wagons 14/8/2025
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Lea Road trains & FoHA talks
“Major John Poyntz Engineer & Railwaynan” 66764 4E21 with 36 containers 16;27 1E 14:8/2025
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Lea Road trains & FoHA talks
Then 2 come at once! “Blue Lightning” 66702 & Northern 195002 calls at P2 17;41 14/8/2025
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Lea Road trains & FoHA talks
“Bluebell Railway” 66739 4L14 with 37 containers 16;39 5E 14/8/2025
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Lea Road trains & FoHA talks
“Bluebell Railway” 66739 4L14 with 47 containers 16;39 5E 15/8/2025
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Lea Road trains & FoHA talks
“Amanda” 66771 4E21 with 41 containers 16;28 2E 15/8/2025
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Lea Road trains & FoHA talks
“Mayflower” 69001 Whitemoor Yard L.D.C Gbrf to Doncaster Up Decoy 13;31 32E 15/8/2025
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Lea Road trains & FoHA talks
“Sir Sam Fay Great Central Railway” 66707 4L11 with 42 containers 12;51 4E 15/8/2025
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Lea Road trains & FoHA talks
Something unusual & unique “Michael Portillo” 66719 & 66710 “Karen Harrison” 5 railway 200 coaches
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Lea Road trains & FoHA talks
“Richard Trevithick” 69007 6E88 with 15 sand wagons 16;49 3E 15/8/2025
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Lea Road trains & FoHA talks
It’s fridge Friday! At last “Blue Lightning” 66702 delivers fridges & 39 containers 17;37 15/8/2025
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Lea Road trains & FoHA talks
“Amanda” & “Lesia” double headed 66771 & 66737 4E15 with 46 containers 15;04 4L 16/8/2025
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Lea Road trains & FoHA talks
Triple header! 66687 “Annette” & 66762 & 69008 “Richard Howe” 4D79 & some wagons 18;49 18L 16/8/2025
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Lea Road trains & FoHA talks
2 trains in 2 minutes! 158784 calls at platform 1 as 66712 4E39 comes through 16/8/2025
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Lea Road trains & FoHA talks
“Richard Trevithick” 69007 6E85 with 15 branded sand hoppers 13;08 33E 18/8/2025
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Lea Road trains & FoHA talks
“Wensleydale Railway Association 25 years 1990-2015” 4L11 with 29 containers 12;47 8E 18/8/2025
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Lea Road trains & FoHA talks
“British Transport Police” 69016 double headed with “EMD Longport” 69014 6N82 21/8/2025
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Lea Road trains & FoHA talks
“Lesia” 66737 6E57 with 20 Ermewa grey waste wagons 09;26 6L 21/8/2025
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“Valour” 66715 4L00 meets Northern 195019 departing platform 2 20/8/2025
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Lea Road trains & FoHA talks
It’s an everyday sight until it isn’t 69002 “Bob Tiller CM&EE” sand train 16;47 4E 20/8/2025
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Lea Road trains & FoHA talks
16 + 16 =32 containers “locomotive and Carriage Institution 1911 - 2011” 66716 16;34 10E 20/8/2025
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Lea Road trains & FoHA talks
A happy “SCS logistics” 66306 4E21 with 50 containers including a fridge! 16;19 9E 20/8/2025
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Lea Road trains & FoHA talks
Hammer down! “Sheffield Wednesday” 66726 4L08 with 50 containers 14;13 32E 20/8/2025
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Lea Road trains & FoHA talks
One early, one late! “Sheffield Wednesday” 4L08 meets “Richard Howe” & “Harry Beck” 6E86 19/8/2025
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Lea Road trains & FoHA talks
“Michael Portillo” 66719 6Z50 with 6 fuel tankers labelled tea 13;59 34L Lea Road 19/8/2025
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Lea Road trains & FoHA talks
Proper train sounds! “Cambois Depot 25 years” 66778 4L11 with 38 containers 12;51 4E 19/8/2025
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Lea Road trains & FoHA talks
“Bob Tiller CM&EE” 69002 6E88 sand delivery for Goole glassworks 16;49 2E 18/8/2025
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Lea Road trains & FoHA talks
Beep bop! “Bo'ness and Kinneill Railway” 66310 4E21 with exactly 40 containers 16;15 13E 18/8/2025
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Lea Road trains & FoHA talks
Fridges on a Monday? “Sheffield Wednesday” 66726 4L08 with 29 containers 14;38 7E 18/8/2025
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Lea Road trains & FoHA talks
He’s got the hammer down! “Cambois Depot 25 years” 66778 4L65 with 51 containers 14;01 5E 18/8/2025
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Lea Road trains & FoHA talks
We got a thumbs up 👍 “Locomotive and carriage institution 1911-2011” 66716 & 41 containers 22/8/2025
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Lea Road trains & FoHA talks
“SCS logistics” 66306 4E21 with 36 containers 16;24 4E 22/8/2025
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Lea Road trains & FoHA talks
22E on the 22nd! “Richard Trevithick” 69007 6E85 with 15 sand wagons 13;19 22E 22/8/2025
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Lea Road trains & FoHA talks
The original 69001 “Mayflower” 6E88 with a delivery of 15 sand hoppers to Goole Glassworks 22/8/2025
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“Michael Portillo” 66719 leads 66759 & 66765 & 66729 6D79 18;39 8L 23/8/2025
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1/2 a load again this Saturday! “Peterborough power signalbox” 66712 4E39 only 17 18;23 23/8/2025
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Diggle Junction
English Electric Extravaganza!! | Chesterfield | Dawn 2 Dusk | Episode 4
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Diggle Junction
Exclusive Tour Inside Eastleigh Works! | Class 69 Paint Shops | Arlington Fleet Services | POV Tour
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DestinationTrainsPlanes
Loco Change with PROPER Traction at the head of the Britannic Explorer!
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DestinationTrainsPlanes
AC Electrics Stretch their Legs - Plus Top & Tail locos on BYA & WIA Wagons! 18/08/25
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DestinationTrainsPlanes
SETTING Back 23 x WAGONS across 8 Sets of POINTS & 4 Lines..!
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DestinationTrainsPlanes
Mainline Debut for a SMOKEY 69015 - With a TIRED Looking 66721 - Plus Longport Down Sidings Works!
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Lea Road trains & FoHA talks
“Signalman Willie Taylor” 66308 4L00 with 19 containers 17;32 10E 27/8/2025
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Lea Road trains & FoHA talks
He invented the locomotive “Richard Trevithick” 69007 6E88 sand hoppers for Goole 16;50 1E 27/8/2025
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Lea Road trains & FoHA talks
“Sarah” 66740 4L14 with 51 containers plus 195018 departing platform 2 16;38 27/8/2025
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Lea Road trains & FoHA talks
“Bluebell railway” 66739 4E21 with 51 containers 16;16 12E 27/8/2025
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Lea Road trains & FoHA talks
“Good Old Boy” 66717’s got a fridge ! 4L08 with 36 containers 14;46 1L 26/8/2025
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Lea Road trains & FoHA talks
Only on a Monday but it’s Tuesday! “Sunderland AFC” 66725 4L65 & 10 containers 13;50 16E 26/8/2025
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Lea Road trains & FoHA talks
Extra sand train with an extra train! “Richard Trevithick” 69007 & 170510 with 2 drivers 26/8/2025
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Lea Road trains & FoHA talks
“Tony Berkeley OBE RFG chairman 1997-2018” 66755 4L11 with 37 containers 12;52 3E 26/8/2025
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Lea Road trains & FoHA talks
Double header! “Tony Berkeley OBE” & “Bo'ness and Kinneill Railway” 4D11 17;19 4E 25/8/2025
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Lea Road trains & FoHA talks
East Midlands 170502 wrapped around 69002 sand train 6Z85 13;12 25/8/2025