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GBRF
Last edited by
railwayadam
• 4 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 9
Showing 500 of 11,886 videos.
The East Anglian Spotter
Severn Valley Railway spring diesel gala 2025 action at Kidderminster 17/5/25
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Severn Valley Railway 2025.18 locos captured at the Spring Diesel Festival
spompeytransportvideo
BR in the 2010s Milford Junction near Selby ( S. Yorkshire) on 16th & 17th May 2011
South East Railway Videos
GBRf Class 73/9 PLPR Test Train | 73962 ‘Dick Mabbutt’ + 73961 ‘Alison’ depart Eastbourne -15/2/2025
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Rails in Wales 7th May 2025. 8 x 66s, Bishton Box and manned level crossing
swindon_rail enthusiast
Bank Holiday workings 69005 'Eastleigh' & 50008 'Thunderer' @ Dilton Marsh 05/05/25
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MT Productions
Busy Afternoon at Peterborough, ECML - 03/05/2025 Incl: 60163 'Tornado' & Freight!
The East Anglian Spotter
GBRF 69010 powers out of Ipswich with 57303 on the rear working 1Z32 3/5/25
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Rails in Wales. May 2005. Much busier; enjoy the memories 37/47/59/60/66
spompeytransportvideo
BR in the 2010s Wandsworth Road Station (South London, Battersea) on 22nd April 2011
swindon_rail enthusiast
70000 Britannia glides through Swindon TnT 47593 in new Inter City Livery | 16/04/25
Southernrailwaysfan
GBRf 57310 + 66725 At Appledore On The Kentish Maiden Railtour - 29th March 2025
South East Railway Videos
GBRf Class 73s | 73109 ‘Battle Of Britain’ + 73213 ‘Rhodalyn’ arrive at Brighton - 8/2/2025
Robbinsman Transport
3 Car Thumper returns back to base after Wheel Lathe at Ashford - 17th March 2025
The Devon Trainspotter
Trains & buses at Exeter St Davids including 69005 with @The TransportFan kv-2ms
