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Freight News, Rail


Rail operator gears up for the roaring forties

[ May 12, 2014   //   ]

Train operator GB Railfreight has signed a five-year lease with VTG Rail for 18 new Ecofret triple-platform container wagons. Designed to maximise the number of 40’ boxes that can be carried in a given train length, each wagon’s outer platforms can carry one 40-foot container each, and the inner platform being able to carry either one 40-foot container or two 20-foot containers. The order follows a successful 18-month trial by GBRf of one of the wagons and delivery of the other 17 triple sets will be between November 2014 and January 2015.
GBRf managing director, John Smith, said: “VTG has really revolutionised container transportation with this new model. The growing dominance of 40ft containers in the deep-sea market, infrastructure improvements at the Port of Felixstowe and changing train length regulations all mean that freight transportation demand is changing in the UK.”

But he added: “Nevertheless, the freight industry as a whole still needs support from the Government if it is to effectively capitalise on these developments. Further improvements to the Felixstowe-Nuneaton route is particularly vital if the maximum level of service efficiency is to be achieved.”

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