Archives



Feature, Freight News, Rail


Another win for Freightliner

[ September 21, 2021   //   ]

Fresh from its triumph at the recent Rail Freight Group awards, reightliner, was also triumphant at this year’s National Rail Awards, winning the Freight and Logistics Achievement of the Year title at a ceremony in London. Once again, it was recognised for its train-lengthening initiatives.

A sharp decline in passenger numbers and a reduction in passenger trains on the UK rail network amid the pandemic have opened more opportunities in the timetable for freight services. Freightliner worked with Network Rail and selected customers to trial new types of services, challenge network capability limitations and improve the efficiency and productivity of existing services. 

This included the lengthening of three daily container trains between Southampton and Leeds, Manchester and Birmingham to operate at 775 metres and has also enabled the trial of ‘Jumbo’ aggregates services. 

The three daily roundtrip 775-metre intermodal trains that Freightliner runs from the Port of Southampton collectively save over four million road miles, which can eliminate over 9,500 tonnes of carbon emissions per year. 

Freightliner’s managing director of UK Rail Tim Shakerley commented: “I am delighted with Freightliner’s win at this year’s National Rail Awards during what has been one of the toughest periods in the UK rail industry’s history. Rail freight has shown incredible resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic, continuing to transport essential supplies, materials and goods around the country. So, to be recognised in this category is especially pleasing.

“As we emerge from the pandemic, Freightliner is keen to continue the positive work to enable these efficient and productive services to remain in the timetable and to look for further opportunities to lengthen services or speed-up average running times.  As well as the productivity gains, there are compelling environmental reasons to support this improved efficiency, with a significant reduction in carbon emissions and a reduction in NOX and other particulates.”

Tags: