| Type | Rail Freight |
|---|---|
| Industry | Rail Freight |
| Predecessor | First GBRf |
| Founded | 1999 |
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom |
| Number of locations | 12 |
| Area served | United Kingdom |
| Key people | John Smith MD |
| Parent | Eurotunnel |
| Website | http://gbrailfreight.com |
GB Railfreight is a British freight train operating company. Formerly called First GBRf, its new owner Eurotunnel bought the company in May 2010.
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The GB Railfreight brand has existed since 1999 when GB Railways created the company[1] part of the GB Railways group of companies. Unlike competitors DB Schenker Rail (UK) and Freightliner Group, the company was not formed from parts of the privatised British Railways freight sectors.
In 2003 GB Railfreight was acquired by First Group. The company was renamed First GBRf.
In May 2010, First Group put the business up for sale. Eurotunnel, SNCF and Freightliner were reported as being interested in the company.[2] The company was acquired by Europorte a subsidiary of the Eurotunnel on 1 June 2010 for £31 million.[3][4] Following the acquisition by Europorte, The company reverted back to its original name of GB Railfreight.
The Class 08 shunters are used for shunting work in the GB Railfreight depots.
The Class 66 fleet sees use on the main freight flows and the five Metronet liveried 66's are also employed on London Underground maintenance. Railfreight Class 66s were also hired to Fastline Freight to operate their coal flows until their own Class 66's had been delivered.
GB Railfreight use their small Class 73 fleet in the south on engineering trains and other work such as empty coaching stock (ECS) moves for passenger operators. They form the usual motive power (along with 4VEP unit no. 3417) on Bluebell Railway shuttle trains south from East Grinstead.
GB Railfreight also has a number of class 92 locomotives acquired by Europorte prior to the purchase of GBRf. As of March 2011 the 92s are starting to gain the revised GBRf livery.[5]
GB Railfreight has twelve locations along the eastern side of England. The Headquarters is on Artillery Lane, London. The other elven locations which GB Railfreight own or serve are:[6]
The company operates several different types of freight traffic.
| Class | Image | Type | Introduced | Fleet Size | Wheel Arr | Numbers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class 08 | Shunter | 1953 | 2 | 0-6-0 | 08925/08934 | |
| Class 09 | Shunter | 1959 | 2 | 0-6-0 | 09002/09009 | |
| Class 66 | Diesel locomotive | 2002 | 46 | Co-Co | 66701-746 | |
| Class 73 | Electro-diesel locomotive | 1966 | 10 | Bo-Bo | 73119, 73141, 73204-209, 73212-213 | |
| Class 92 | Electric locomotive | 1993 | 7 | Co-Co | 92020, 92021, 92032, 92040, 92044-046 |
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