GB Railfreight unveils new intermodal sidings at Peterborough

Credit: GB Railfreight

GB Railfreight (GBRf) has announced that it is set to start operations at its new intermodal sidings at Peterborough. The investment provides GBRf with much needed track capacity – which will be doubled – in order to facilitate the business’ growing intermodal sector. 

This is the first of four phases of works to have been completed on this site. GBRf are looking to develop the site further by completing alterations to existing sidings and install additional infrastructure to provide improved access to the East Coast Main Line, allowing GBRf to further increase the capacity of the site.

Other works planned at this location in the near future include a purpose-built wagon maintenance facility in order to support high levels of asset utilisation. The move will provide GB Railfreight with an improved and more efficient wagon maintenance capability, along with improved facilities for their maintainers to operate from. This follows the announcement of a new multi-million contract for the lease of an additional 52 Ecofret2® Intermodal wagons from VTG Rail UK Ltd, the UK’s largest private wagon hire company.

To meet the increasing demand for rail freight, GBRf are also expanding operations by investing in new offices and training facilities. GBRf recently broke ground for their new office in Peterborough, with the work involving the demolition of existing temporary office buildings and the construction of a new building to house a control room, three classrooms, a board room and staff welfare facilities. The training school will support GBRf’s state-of-the-art Class 66 simulators, which were unveiled in 2019.

The new intermodal sidings at Peterborough were completed by MLP Railway Maintenance Ltd, which enabled GBRf to finish them ahead of schedule and also within budget. This announcement demonstrates the company’s commitment to investing in the rail freight sector and the UK economy as a whole at this time of uncertainty in light of the COVID-19 crisis.

John Smith, Managing Director of GB Railfreight, said: “I am absolutely delighted to be able to unveil the new intermodal sidings at Peterborough. The growth in intermodal is demonstrative of GBRf’s commitment to leading the way in what is one of the biggest changes in the freight industry’s history, offering flexible and innovative door-to-door solutions that meet our customer’s needs.”

He continued: “In 2019, GBRf delivered not only growth, but also consumer choice in the market with a further four intermodal services from major deep-sea UK ports, bringing the total to 17 intermodal services. Despite the current disruption due to COVID-19, we are committed to delivering investment to support the growth of the rail freight sector, ensuring that rail freight can play its part in the economic recovery driven by environmentally sustainable investment.”