Freightliner (UK)

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Freightliner is a British rail freight operating company, founded in 1995. It is the second largest railfreight operator, after EWS.

The origins of the Freightliner concept go back to the mid-1960's British Rail under Richard Beeching. As part of an overall modernisation and rationalisation programme, British Rail began moving freight using ISO containers on flat wagons between a series of dedicated inland terminals using gantry cranes for transhipment from road to rail.

Although initially intended for domestic freight, this was soon overtaken by freight between deep sea ports, such as Southampton Maritime and inland distribution terminals associated with centres of manufacturing or population such as Birmingham Landor Street.

In 1995, Freightliner was privatised as a stand alone company, being bought out by its own management.

In 1999, the new company set up its 'Heavy Haul' business alongside its traditional 'Intermodal' container operation. Heavy Haul initially operated railway infrastructure trains moving ballast, rails etc. and later moving into other bulk loads including cement, coal, aggregates and scrap metal.

In 2004, Freightliner launched ‘Logico’, providing short term or one off spaces on intermodal trains.

In its early days, the company struggled with an ageing fleet of Class 47 diesel locomotives, supplemented with Class 86 and newer Class 90 electric locomotives. In order to increase reliability, in 1997-1998, six Class 47 locomotives were rebuilt by Brush Traction, Loughborough with General Motors engines and reconditioned alternators, emerging as Class 57 locomotives. A further six locomotives were rebuilt in 1999-2000.

Class 57, no. 57012 'Freightliner Envoy' at Ipswich on 31st January 2004. This class were rebuilt from redundant Class 47 locomotives by Brush Traction.

The new order - Class 66, no. 66534 "OOCL Express", in the new Freightliner livery, seen at Virginia Water station, England, April 2004.

Class 86, nos. 86613 and 86610, painted in the new Freightliner livery, at Ipswich on 14th February 2004. Freightliner are in the process of retiring their Class 86 fleet.

[edit] Locomotives

[edit] External links

• Freightliner
• Logico

fr:Freightliner