GBRf is now UK’s largest rail freight operator
posted on 21st Jul 2026 16:37
New figures published by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) show that GB Railfreight now accounts for the largest share of freight train kilometres in Great Britain at 31.4 %, as well as the largest share of freight vehicle kilometres at 33.3 %, cementing its position as the nation’s leading rail freight business. Since launching operations in 2001, GBRf’s growth has helped create thousands of skilled, secure and long-term jobs across the railway industry, many of them in communities beyond London and the South East.
GBRf’s success has been supported by long-term investment in its people, locomotives, rolling stock and operational facilities, enabling the business to increase capacity while continuing to meet growing customer demand. Over recent years GBRf has invested heavily in modern locomotives like the Class 99s, expanded and enhanced its wagon fleet, improved its operational facilities across its network and continued to strengthen welfare, training and safety standards for colleagues.
The milestone comes shortly after GBRf marked the 25th anniversary of operating its first train, capping a period of sustained growth that has seen the business expand from a new entrant into the UK’s largest rail freight operator. It now moves goods across the country to locations including Fowey, Fort William, Penmaenmawr and the Isle of Grain. Today, GBRf transports a wide range of freight, including containers, construction materials, biomass, consumer goods and infrastructure supplies, helping to keep businesses supplied and supporting major construction and infrastructure projects nationwide.
Rail freight contributes 2.5 billion GBP to the UK economy each year while helping reduce congestion and carbon emissions by removing thousands of HGV journeys from Britain’s roads. As demand for more sustainable freight transport continues to grow, GBRf’s milestone reflects the increasingly important role rail freight plays in supporting the UK’s prosperity and environmental ambitions.
