GB Railfreight trebles aggregates work with new contract

Freight operator GB Railfreight ran its first train for Aggregates Industries on January 5, on the first day of a five-year contract.

The deal with AI will see sand and stone moved from various AI quarries to various depots and handling sites around the UK.

The first train as part of the deal left Croft Quarry at 2315 on January 5, arriving at Neasden Freight Terminal at 0556 on January 6. It was hauled by 66714 Cromer Lifeboat.

GBRf will run five trains per day, five days per week from Bardon Hill, Croft, Neath, Avonmouth, Shrewsbury and the Isle of Grain to the following locations: Colnbrook, Harlow Mill, Angerstein, Neasden, Purley, Tinsley, Theale, Brentford and Bow West.

GBRf called the multi-million deal a: “significant development for the freight operator in aggregates rail freight, as it almost trebles the work it is currently undertaking in the industry.”
John Smith, Managing Director of GB Railfreight, said: “We have recently been looking at expanding our aggregates business across the UK. This five-year contract with Aggregate Industries is a key milestone in this progression, trebling our workflows, and we are delighted to be working with such a prestigious name in supporting the construction sector.”
Simon Blake, Aggregate Industries General Manager, said: “We rely on a reliable service and a committed team to support our rail distribution and GB Railfreight have shown they can provide both. We hope to harness their ambition and to grow our business alongside theirs with further traffic movements and services.”