GB Railfreight (GBRf) has partnered up with Porterbrook and Greenbrier for constructing and leasing a hundred Greenbrier 60’ intermodal twin wagons. Greenbrier, a rail manufacturing company, will undertake the task of building the new railcars. At the same time, Porterbrook, a rolling stock leasing company, will provide the wagons to GBRf following a ten-year leasing contract signing.

The partnership will see the first wagons lining up for use by the end of 2022. Given that the production line will provide ten twin intermodal wagons per month, GBRf will have all 100 wagons in its hands by the end of 2023. This development enhances the UK’s intermodal market even more and promotes sustainable and low-carbon rail transport.

Long-partnership continuation

Both John Smith, Managing Director of GBRf, and Mary Grant, CEO at Porterbrook, underlined their relationship’s depth of time. The two companies have been cooperating for 15 years now, while Green Brier is no stranger to GBRf either. “We are thrilled to be able to work with an innovative manufacturer such as Greenbrier, and see this as a continuation of an excellent long-standing relationship”, said Smith.

Sustainability constitutes one of the partnership’s key characteristics. “By working together with Porterbrook, we are proving that our sector continues to combine innovation and resilience, which will be vital as we move towards more sustainable modes of transport”,, continued Smith. On her behalf, Mary Grant mentioned that the partnership’s announcement “signifies a renewed commitment by Porterbrook to investing in rail-freight, which has a key role to play in reducing long-distance lorry movements and supporting the Green Recovery”.

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