Freight

The first Shap-Drigg service hauled by DRS’ 68016 on January 31. SAM DIXON/DRS.

News

DRS begins new three-year aggregates flow - first phase to save more than 2,000 lorry journeys

Direct Rail Services ran its first train carrying 750 tonnes of material on January 31.

DRS 4 Feb

DB Cargo 66068, in original EWS livery, passes the Mortimer foot crossing (between Reading and Basingstoke) on July 31 with the 0903 Southampton Western Docks-Birch Coppice intermodal MARK PIKE.

Comment

Comment: ensure rail freight is at the heart of the GBR plans

“Putting passengers first” should not exclude other rail traffic from the narrative, says Maggie Simpson.

Freight 27 Dec

Freightliner 70011 negotiates Eastleigh station with the 0641 Crewe Basford Hall to Southampton Maritime on April 30, as GB Railfreight 66728 Institution of Railway Operators works the 1147 Southampton Western Docks to East Midlands Gateway. The two companies hold the biggest share of UK freight operations, with intermodal a growth area. MARK PIKE.

Comment

Analysis: Rail freight sector must bide its time for a clear strategy

How is our new government faring on rail reform? In our Manifesto for Rail series, Howard Johnston turns in this issue to freight.

Industry views 9 Dec

A Class 769 unit on test between Kilmarnock and Elderslie in April 2024. STUART FOWLER

News

Freight operators considering tests for converted ‘769’ bi-mode units

Two freight operators are looking at undertaking a series of tests involving Class 769 units, with ScotRail also understood to eventually be assessing them too

Class 769 2 Dec

Ex-Royal Mail Class 325 units being cut up at Sims Metals, Newport. EDDIE HOLDEN

News

More Class 325s go for scrap but Royal Mail is open to selling remaining units

More Class 325 EMUs have been sent for scrap, but Royal Mail has said some of its units are for sale

Royal Mail 29 Nov

News

Maersk's move from Felixstowe to London Gateway will have implications for rail freight

Shipping company Maersk has announced that it will not be using the port of Felixstowe for larger vessels from next year, instead it will be moving part of its operations to London Gateway in Essex.

Rail freight 28 Nov

88010 in fridge wraps with the 0640 Daventry-Mossend at Golborne Junction. JO CLOUGH

News

DRS extends Tesco deal weeks after starting tenth route with supermarket giant

Freight operator DRS has signed a new deal with Tesco which runs into the middle of 2028

DRS 28 Nov

A DB Cargo Class 66 tows three Royal Mail '325' units through Shrewsbury en-route to Newport for scrapping

News

Royal Mail ending rail services 'undermines' government's commitment to freight, DB Cargo CEO tells ministers

Andrea Rossi, DB Cargo's Chief Executive, wrote to Louise Haigh and Peter Hendy after Royal Mail ended its contract with the operator

DB Cargo 27 Nov

Comment

Comment: GBR in 2026 and support for open access and freight

Philip Haigh on new Transport Secretary Louise Haigh’s debut appearance before the House of Commons Transport Select Committee.

Phil Haigh 25 Nov

Comment

Opinion: The Budget’s pros and cons

Light rail boost, but light on HS2 Euston detail and not great for freight

Editor's comment 13 Nov

Comment

Opinion: Royal Mail's decision was a setback but rail freight can grow

Guest columnist Maggie Simpson OBE, Director General of the Rail Freight Group, says its essential for private sector to invest in rail freight.

Freight 6 Nov

The EWS livery, first seen in April 1996, is rapidly disappearing from the modern railway scene. Until this month, the oldest working locomotive still in the colours (and its original paint) was 66003, which passes St Denys working the well-loaded 0920 Trafford Park-Southampton on May 8. TOM MCATEE.

News

EWS livery is slowly heading for the history books as more locos are repainted

The latest DB Cargo Class 66s to be repainted are 66003 and 66106, which are now in the company’s red.

Freight 6 Nov

Freightliner 66620 passes Stonehouse on July 16. JACK BOSKETT.

Feature

How can freight be a major part of rail’s future?

Great British Railways will need to focus on nationalised passenger services. Freight could lose out. Heads of the two largest companies talk to Paul Clifton.

Freight 4 Nov

Freight Train derailment in Audenshaw. RAIB.

News

RAIB issues safety advice after freight train derailment

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) has issued an urgent safety advice notice regarding bridges with longitudinal timber systems after initial analysis from RAIB identified that it could be the cause of a derailment in Greater Manchester in September.

RAIB 25 Oct

Solent Rail Terminal, with the DP World container port in the background. Behind the rail terminal is a former dry dock built for the liner Queen Mary, with the Freightliner terminal in the far distance. Courtesy Solent Stevedores

News

Solent Terminal helps take thousands of lorries off roads in its first six months

The new terminal at Southampton docks - the UK's third-largest container port - has handed more than 55,000 containers in its first six months

Freight 17 Oct

News

Demand for Irish rail freight increases

Iarnród Éireann (IÉ) has introduced two new rail freight services between Dublin Port and Ballina, operated by International Warehousing and Transport (IWT).

rail 15 Oct

Comment

Opinion: Rail freight stagnation

Innovation is required to boost sector’s market share, says our Industry Insider

Industry views 15 Oct

News

£1 billion London Gateway investment announced but more needed for Rail

Global logistics giant DP World has unveiled a significant £1 billion investment to expand London Gateway, solidifying its position as the UK's largest container port.

Freight 14 Oct

Containers being loaded onto trains in sidings

News

DP World’s green freight initiative grows: second weekly service links major ports

A freight service linking two of the largest container ports is to double to two trains a week.

rail 30 Sept

News

Transport Committee Chair to investigate track access charges and HS2

The new chair of the Transport Select Committee wants to investigate restrictions on flying, rail freight track access charges and HS2.

rail 24 Sept

Freight

DRS begins new three-year aggregates flow - first phase to save more than 2,000 lorry journeys

Comment: ensure rail freight is at the heart of the GBR plans

Analysis: Rail freight sector must bide its time for a clear strategy

Freight operators considering tests for converted ‘769’ bi-mode units

More Class 325s go for scrap but Royal Mail is open to selling remaining units

Maersk's move from Felixstowe to London Gateway will have implications for rail freight

DRS extends Tesco deal weeks after starting tenth route with supermarket giant

Royal Mail ending rail services 'undermines' government's commitment to freight, DB Cargo CEO tells ministers

Comment: GBR in 2026 and support for open access and freight