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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 26
Showing 500 of 13,130 videos.
The Cheshire Enthusiast
GBRf 66737 drags 'new' 66752, 66753, 66754, 66756, 66755 Through Longbridge, 12/07/14
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Railfreight with 59s in Wales 21 years ago.. Brighton, B.T.M.and Westbury.
The Cheshire Enthusiast
Network Rail Class 73's 73107+ 73138 passing Winsford working 3Q14 Crewe-Crewe, 27th June 2014
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
37417/406 at Merthyr for naming, plus HST named Penydarren at Cardiff. 9yrs ago.
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
37425 to Cardiff Bay and on the Vale line. Also last 37s to leave Canton
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Harry Sedgwick
The Class 66 GBRf No.66706 with Rail Containers was stops here onto Platform One at Carlisle.
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Harry Sedgwick
The Class 66 GBRf with Rail Containers & Class 397 TransPennine Express was both leaves at Carlisle.
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Harry Sedgwick
The Class 390 'Pendolino' Avanti West Coast No.390151 was leaves at Carlisle. (FT. Class 66 GBRf)
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Harry Sedgwick
The Class 397 'Civity' TransPennine Express (Nova 2) leaves from P4 at Carlisle. (FT. Class 66 GBRf)
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Diggle Junction
This Always Happens When I Go Away! | Diggle Diaries: July 2024 Part 1
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Lea Road trains & FoHA talks
“North Norfolk Railway 1975-2025 The Poppy Line” 69010 6E88 with 15 silicon dioxide wagons 6/8/2025
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Lea Road trains & FoHA talks
Northern 195008 wrapped around “Blue Lighting” 66702 4L00 with 38 containers 17;44 Lea Road 6/8/2025
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Lea Road trains & FoHA talks
“Cromer Lifeboat” 66714 4L11 with 38 containers 12;45 8E 6/8/2025
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Lea Road trains & FoHA talks
“Nene Valley” 66706 6Z08 with 9 fuel tanks 13;52 a mere 107 late 6/8/2025
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Lea Road trains & FoHA talks
The view from platform 1 “Drax power station” 66724 4E08 with a full train of 45 containers 5/8/2025
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Lea Road trains & FoHA talks
“Cromer Lifeboat” 66714 4L11 with 36 containers 12;50 5E Lea Road 5/8/2025
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Lea Road trains & FoHA talks
“Cromer Lifeboat” 66714 4L65 with an impressive 48 containers 14;05 1E Lea Road 4/8/2025
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Lea Road trains & FoHA talks
“Blue Lighting” 66702 4L00 with 36 containers 17;55 13L Lea Road 4/8/2025
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Lea Road trains & FoHA talks
“Severn Valley Railway” 66763 4E39 with a full train of 34 containers 18;20 Lea Road 4/8/2025
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Lea Road trains & FoHA talks
“Forest City GM” 66713 4E14 with 53 containers & 195006 calling at platform 1 Lea Road 31/7/2025