Trainload Freight was the sector of British Rail responsible for trainload freight services. It was formed in 1987 as a further development of the single Railfreight division created by BR in 1982, and existed until the onset of privatisation in 1994. The sector was subdivided according to the nature of the cargo. Each subsector had its own livery, all of which were based on a two-tone grey with different decals. In addition to the four Trainload businesses, the Railfreight General and Railfreight Distribution subsectors also adopted the new two-tone grey livery with their own specific branding, producing a total of six variations:
Trainload locomotives could often be seen hauling passenger trains, either as "Thunderbirds" (rescue locomotives), relief trains, specials or on charter hire. For example, Class 33 locomotives in Railfreight Distribution livery would often haul Venice Simplon Orient Express trains for part of their journey, while Trainload Construction liveried locomotives would often be found hauling charters.
In 1994, immediately prior to privatisation, the four Trainload subsectors and the Railfreight General division were abolished, and replaced with three regional-based 'Shadow Franchises'; Load-Haul, Mainline Freight and Trans-Rail. The Railfreight Distribution subsector was split with intermodal traffic forming the activities of a new company, Freightliner, and both of these businesses were sold separately. In the post-privatisation era a number of companies retained the basic two-tone grey livery on some vehicles, with their own specific branding applied, most notably Trans-Rail.
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