Supporting increased freight capacity through collaboration

It’s always a proud moment when brand new rolling stock is handed over to a customer before going into service. And when the journey to reach that point has been a particularly difficult one, a successful outcome means even more.?

That is the background to the first of our JNA-X Box Wagons which rolled into Wembley depot last month, followed by the first FEA-G Twin Intermodal Wagons. Their arrival shows the tremendous dedication and teamwork by everyone involved at Porterbrook and Greenbrier to maintain production in Romania and Poland and ensure delivery to GB Railfreight on time.?

The project faced significant supply chain challenges with actual manufacturing disrupted by the fact that many of Greenbrier’s Ukrainian employees returned home to fight for their country. These hurdles focused the resolve of all parties to regroup and find solutions for our customer. It also reflects Porterbrook’s long-term commitment to investing in rail freight.?

Encouragingly, figures from the Office for Rail and Road last month showed that there were nearly 40 million commercial freight train kilometres in the year to March 2022, an annual increase of 12.5%. The regulator also highlighted a 13.5% increase in private investment expenditure in UK rail with around 70% of this in new rolling stock as well as the refurbishment of existing stock.

These numbers reflect an increasing recognition that the modal shift of freight from road to rail should be an objective of transport and wider logistics strategy. For example, the government’s Future of Freight Plan published earlier this year and Great British Railway’s freight growth target consultation demonstrate renewed emphasis on the sector among policy makers.

It’s worth remembering that each tonne of freight transported by rail produces 76% less carbon than the equivalent journey by road. The predicted 35% increase in demand for rail freight by 2034 provides an opportunity to invest in capacity and capitalise on that upward growth trajectory.

As an asset owner and provider of private finance, Porterbrook is well placed to support the sector in the years and decades ahead. We have a good understanding of whole life costs and the residual value risk we take has helped freight operators achieve productivity improvements and greater efficiencies.?

The perseverance of the Greenbrier and Porterbrook teams in overcoming obstacles to deliver the new wagons for GB Railfreight is a reminder of the importance of collaboration. It underscores how close working partnerships between organisations and businesses at all levels of the supply chain can help drive modal shift from road to rail.