GB Railfreight and EMDL extend full-service provision arrangements

Credit: GB Railfreight

GB Railfreight (GBRf) and Electro-Motive Diesel Limited (EMDL), a legal entity of Progress Rail, have signed a contract extension to the full-service provision arrangements between businesses, which have been in place since 2012.

The new contract extends the size of the GBRf fleet supported by Progress Rail. It also expands repair capacity at both the Doncaster and Peterborough depots and increases the number of field service engineers joining the team.

Representing a significant strengthening of the long-standing relationship between the two companies, this contract supports the GBRf Class 66 locomotive fleet and prepares the ground for the newly re-engineered Class 69 locomotives, the first of which was on trial at Severn Valley Railway.

Additionally, Progress Rail will be fitting the innovative PR UptimeTM digital prognostic equipment to the Class 66 fleet, which serves as the next-generation analytics platform, prompting preventative maintenance and continuously improving reliability and performance.

Cementing further years of support, this contract demonstrates GBRf’s faith in Progress Rail’s technical capability and excellent service standards, which have consistently delivered industry-leading asset utilisation to date. This deal secures a long-term future for both businesses in the ever-growing rail freight market in the UK.

GB Railfreight‘s Asset Director, David Golding, said: “We are pleased to announce this contract extension with EMDL, a well-established and reliable partner for our business. This is a significant enhancement, which will enable GBRf to expand its operations, whilst also providing the extra field service and engineering capacity that the business needs.”

EMDL’s Sales Director, Jon Caen, added: “We are delighted to be working with GB Railfreight on this exciting project. This contract extension solidifies a successful relationship and provides both companies with a long-term future. Supporting fleet maintenance digitalisation, the fitment of PR UptimeTM across the Class 66 and 69 fleets brings the most advanced analytics technology available.”