Month: April 2020

GB Railfreight, one of the UK’s leading rail freight operators, has thanked Captain Tom Moore for his fundraising efforts for the NHS with a birthday surprise – a freight locomotive named in his honour.

A 129-tonne, Class 66 freight locomotive, will be named ‘Captain Tom Moore’, with the added inscription ‘A true British inspiration’. The name plates were produced by Procast, one of which has been kindly donated by Neil Booth, Director of Railwayana Auctions UK Ltd, as a thank you for Captain Moore’s amazing efforts.

The naming took place to coincide with Captain Moore’s 100^th birthday (30 April). The name plate which will now adorn the locomotive, was unveiled by GB Railfreight Managing Director John Smith, with Captain Moore watching the ceremony from home.

Captain Moore won the hearts and minds of the nation, raising over £29,000,000 for the NHS. GB Railfreight was keen to do its bit to thank NHS workers for their extraordinary efforts during this period and decided to paint a locomotive with a message of gratitude from GB Railfeight to the NHS. Given Captain Moore’s inspirational story, it was decided to name the locomotive after him.

GB Railfreight is playing its part in supporting the UK’s COVID-19 response by helping to keep essential services running across the country and ensuring that warehouses and supermarkets remain stocked, and vital medical supplies are transported across the country whilst ensuring all of our team are being kept as safe as possible.

John Smith, Managing Director of GB Railfreight said:

“Happy birthday Captain Tom! On behalf of myself and the whole team at GB Railfreight I wanted to offer a huge ‘thank you’ for your fantastic efforts in raising money for the NHS. We are in awe of your achievement. We thought we were good at fundraising but you have achieved a level that is quite simply inspiring.

“Last week we unveiled one of our freight locomotives in thanks to our wonderful critical workers at the NHS by painting it in their colours. In honour of your efforts, we are very proud to name this locomotive after you.”

“After today, it will be pulling crucial rail freight throughout the country helping to supply the NHS. It will also help deliver food to people’s tables and kick start the country’s economy as we move forward from the current difficulties. Thank you again for all of your efforts.”

Lifelong rail enthusiast Neil Booth, Director of Railwayana Auctions UK Ltd, said:

“I was inspired by the sheer tenacity and conviction of the fundraising task for the NHS that Captain Tom Moore had set himself and thought that it would be a wonderful idea to name a locomotive in his honour on his 100th birthday. Once we had his family’s permission to do so, we very quickly had the nameplates cast, had Sir Peter Hendy CBE, Chairman of Network Rail and John Smith, Managing Director of GBRf on board along with his management team and staff who have  bent over backwards in providing a more than suitable locomotive to be honoured in this way. I just can’t thank everyone enough for their sterling efforts in making this happen within just seven days.”

GB Railfreight, one of the UK’s largest rail freight operators, has successfully trialled using former commuter trains for the express delivery of parcels.  A service was run into Euston station earlier this month using a 100mph, Class 319, EMU train, which until recently was providing commuter services in the West Midlands.

The trial showed the trains could successfully be loaded and offloaded with standard roll cages at most mainline stations across the UK and when seats are removed the carriages can carry significant volumes of parcels.

This is the first time that successful trial of using a converted commuter train has been undertaken in the UK and GB Railfreight is in discussion with Government about how the service could play a role in helping with the logistical challenge of delivering supplies to UK hospitals.

The railway network used to be extensively used for parcel deliveries between stations, but apart from specially designed trains used by the Royal Mail between dedicated terminals, parcel delivery by train disappeared decades ago.

As well as strengthening supply chains during the current crisis, a return of parcel delivery services to mainline stations would provide online retailers with a more sustainable and reliable options for overnight parcel deliveries, bringing deliveries into the heart of major cities.

John Smith, Managing Director of GB Railfreight said:

“We are committed to continuing to help the UK get through this period by ensuring that vital supplies are delivered. Rail freight has the advantage in being able to efficiently move very large volumes of goods in a safe and reliable way.

 “This successful trial shows how the railways can play their role in helping the speedy delivery of vital supplies and we are keen to be able to do our bit to help the NHS meet the logistical challenge of keeping our hospitals supplied during this period of huge demand.

 “Post-crisis these services could play a role in reducing air pollution and carbon emissions associated with parcel deliveries.  With deliveries being brought into the heart of cities by train overnight and last mile deliveries then undertaken by electric powered vehicles.”

Leading UK Railfreight operator, GB Railfreight and their industry partner Porterbrook have unveiled a specially repainted freight locomotive painted with the blue and white colours of the National Health Service.  The unveiling was timed to be part of the weekly celebrations to thank frontline workers in our health and social care sector.

GB Railfreight, one of the UK’s largest rail freight operators, decided to mark the fifth, now weekly ‘clap,’ by repainting one of its freight locomotives and unveiling it at 8pm just as millions of people across the UK were stepping outside their front doors to thank the frontline workers who are putting their lives on the line to save countless others across our hospital and care homes.

The repainting of 66731 was co-funded by the locomotive’s owner and long-term GB Railfreight partner, Porterbrook. The painting was undertaken by Arlington Fleet Services, Eastleigh.

GBRf staff joined in with the clapping as the newly decorated locomotive was unveiled to express their gratitude to all those working to keep us safe during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

GB Railfreight is playing its part in supporting the UK’s COVID-19 response by helping to keep essential services running across the country. GBRf services are playing a vital role in ensuring the continuation of supplies and trains are running from ports such as London Gateway, Southampton, Felixstowe and Teesport to distribution centres across the country.  These flows are ensuring that warehouses remain stocked, and supermarkets as well as other essential retailers remain supplied.

John Smith, Managing Director of GB Railfreight said:

“Thank you to all NHS staff and carers across the country for the hard work you have been doing to keep us safe. Across the UK you are seeing week in, week out, an outpouring of love and affection of our frontline staff and we are taking a minute today to say our thanks on behalf of GB Railfreight and the rail industry.

 “The unveiling of this locomotive is our way of saying thanks for all you are doing. We are inspired by you and wanted to say thank you in the usual GBRf way, by painting one of our regular Class 66 which will be travelling the length and breadth of the country to keep our economy moving during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. Now it will also carry our message of thanks to all our carers.”

Mary Grant, Porterbrook CEO, said:

“We are delighted to support GB Railfreight in thanking NHS staff and carers for all that they do at this unprecedented time in our nation’s life. Porterbrook is also hugely grateful to all the front-line railway staff, including John’s team, who are the unsung heroes in keeping Britain’s economy moving.”