GB Railfreight donates Class 66 nameplate in support of Railway Benefit Fund

In celebration of 60 years of Modern Railways Magazine, GB Railfreight named a Class 66 locomotive ‘Modern Railways – Diamond Jubilee’, marking the retirement of No 66745’s decade long nameplates ‘Modern Railways – the first 50 years’.

The new name was unveiled as part of a special HST railtour to the Severn Valley Railway marking the anniversary, and the naming formed part of the event to raise money for the Railway Benefit Fund. To support the cause further, at the end of October Modern Railways auctioned one of the GBRf nameplates that honoured their first 50 years, raising £2,100. This will be added to the funds raised from the railtour, with the final total to be announced next week at Modern Railways’ EXPO show at Milton Keynes by CrossCountry Managing Director Tom Joyner and RBF President Pete Waterman.

Railway Benefit Fund is an industry charity, supporting current and former railway employees through a variety of problems, offering financial assistance, practical help and wide-ranging advice. Those interested in bidding on the plates in support of the work carried out by the charity can find out more here about the auction.

Pete Waterman, President of the Railway Benefit Fund said: “We are so grateful for the support of our friends at Modern Railways and GB Railfreight for auctioning this anniversary nameplate. The money raised will allow us to support even more of our railway family and colleagues in need of a helping hand during these tough times. Your support is appreciated more than ever as demand for our services increases.”

Philip Sherratt, Editor of Modern Railways Editor said: ‘We had a fantastic outing to the Severn Valley Railway and are hugely grateful to everyone who supported the event. We are particularly grateful to GBRf for marking our anniversary with a new naming and for kindly donating the plates which have been removed from No 66745. The £2,100 this generated is a fantastic addition to the total we have already raised for RBF during the railtour.’

John Smith, CEO of GB Railfreight, said: “It was a pleasure to be a part of Modern Railways’ 60^th anniversary celebrations, and donate this nameplate to be auctioned for a great cause. The Railway Benefit Fund provides much needed support through tough times for the people of our industry, and we are proud to be supporting them as they continue to make a genuine difference to people’s lives.”

ENDS

About GB Railfreight 

Founded in 1999 and headquartered in London, United Kingdom, GB Railfreight is the third largest rail freight operator in the United Kingdom, with a turnover expected to exceed £225 million in 2021. GB Railfreight is one of the fastest growing companies in the railway sector and transports goods for a wide range of customers. 

For further information, please contact:  

Jonathan Dobson, Head of Public Affairs – 07739 035400

Visit  www.gbrailfreight.com  

GB Railfreight (GBRf) has raised more than £147,000 for its charity partner, Prostate Cancer UK, following the success of its charity railtour, ‘GBRf 2021’.

Having departed London Victoria on Thursday 2 September 2021, the four-day charity charter travelled across different parts of the UK rail network, finishing at London Paddington on Sunday 5 September 2021.

Organised by GBRf’s charity railtour team, Paul Taylor, Ian Grey and Dale Williams, ‘GBRf 2021’ was the company’s third 4-day railtour, having raised over a quarter of a million pounds from its previous two marathon charity charters.

The success of this railtour was underpinned by the support of the wider rail industry and 50 volunteers from within GBRf who gave up their own time to work as train drivers and stewards.

In total, ‘GBRf 2021’ raised £147,215, which will go towards supporting Prostate Cancer UK’s mission to stop the disease limiting lives.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, with one in eight men affected by the disease. This year, GBRf unveiled a specially painted locomotive featuring the charity’s iconic ‘Man of Men’ logo, sparking conversations aplenty about the disease. Funds raised will go into lifesaving research to make prostate cancer a disease men and their families no longer fear.

John Smith, CEO GB Railfreight, said:

“Yet again, our team have delivered another highly successful railtour that has raised an amazing amount for our chosen charity partner, Prostate Cancer UK. More now than ever, funds are needed to support vital research into better tests and treatments for people affected by prostate cancer and we’re proud to contribute to this great cause.

“My thanks go to our charity railtour team and the GBRf volunteers who gave up their own time to make this fundraising feat possible and provide much needed assistance behind the scenes.”

Paul Taylor, Contract Manager GB Railfreight, said:

“I’m amazed at what we’ve achieved as a team to raise over £147,000 for Prostate Cancer UK, a charity very close to my heart following my diagnosis with the disease a few years ago. The crucial funds raised by this railtour will help in the fight against prostate cancer, which is credit to the huge contribution made by our team of volunteers and support shown by the railway family.”

Nicola Tallett, Director of Fundraising & Supporter Engagement Prostate Cancer UK, said:

“We’re delighted and hugely grateful to be on this lifesaving journey with GB Railfreight, and are thrilled to learn that more than £147,000 has been raised from the brilliant railtour and other fundraising activity. That amazing sum will help fund lifesaving research into the most common cancer in men as we go full steam ahead to do vital research into better tests and treatments. It’s also allowed us to continue to have hugely important conversations about prostate cancer – a disease affecting one in eight men in the UK, and one in four black men.

“We’re so thankful for the tireless support of John Smith and Paul and Tracy Taylor, who were huge driving forces in this project after Paul’s diagnosis with prostate cancer. On behalf of Prostate Cancer UK and all the men and families affected by this disease we thank everyone for getting on board.”

GB Railfreight is delighted to be marking Mental Health Awareness Week (18 May – 24 May) which champions the theme of kindness, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Like many organisations, GB Railfreight is passionate about trying to break down the stigma relating to mental health and as a company it seeks to create environments where people feel no shame or embarrassment to speak up if they are not ok.

2020 has been a breakthrough year for GBRf’s mental health strategy. It has seen the leading rail freight company work with incredible organisations and influencers such as a Suffolk Mind and Paul McGregor at Every Mind at Work. GBRf has now recruited and trained 45 Wellbeing Champions across the business who act as friendly ears to staff and signpost the free mental health support GBRf offer. This includes professional counselling sessions and access to resources to improve overall wellbeing, as well as the Wellness Centre hosted on GBRf’s Employee Benefits platform.

Marking Mental Health Awareness Week, John Smith, Managing Director of GB Railfreight, said:

“GB Railfrieght remains committed to ensuring all employees can take care of their mental health, especially at this time. Each day we are astounded by the kindness our staff demonstrate to each other and we feel fortunate that collectively that kindness has seen us reach out to communities through our Benefacto staff volunteering scheme and seen us raise over £180,000 for charities in the past year.

 “Statistics show that quarter of people will experience a mental health issue each year, it’s a statistic too big to ignore and our mission is to normalise conversation around mental health, not only in the workplace but to encourage people to discuss their mental health within their households, which is why we also offer our free mental health benefits to the immediate family members of our staff.

“We understand that the coronavirus has brought many new challenges on our mental health such as isolation, concerns over the health of ourselves and loved ones and challenges faced with learning to adapt to new ways of life. Our mission is to instil as much support and transparency as we can to our staff whilst the UK overcomes this virus. We will actively place our staff’s wellbeing firmly in the forefront of our plans during this time and continue to communicate openly and supportively and be sensitive to those challenges faced. As a business, we will champion the efforts of the amazing work mental health charities and industry bodies carry out to raise awareness of mental health issues.”

GBRf wants its staff to feel there is a safe, welcoming and open environment to talk about their mental health and gain access to the best support it can offer. GBRf is committed to placing a big spotlight on mental health both internally through its workplace strategies and through its external presence on social media.

GB Railfreight, one of the UK’s leading rail freight operators, has teamed up with model manufacture Hornby Hobbies to make a miniature version of the locomotive it named after Capt. Tom Moore last week to raise money for the NHS.

Having seen the reaction to the unveiling of the 129-tonne, Class 66 freight locomotive named in Capt. Moore’s honour last Thursday to mark his 100^th birthday, Hornby asked GB Railfreight if they could replicate their loco in miniature form with all profits being donated to the NHS as a thank you for the work frontline staff are doing during the course of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Having initially planned to make only 500 models, Hornby found it impossible to keep up with demand, and in less than 48 hours they had sold more than 2,500. Since then, they have added 1,000 more to their stocks, and a percentage of the sales will be given to NHS charities. So far the model of the GBRf locomotive produced by Hornby has raised £140,000.

GB Railfreight is playing its part in supporting the UK’s COVID-19 response by helping to keep essential services running across the country and ensuring that warehouses and supermarkets remain stocked, and vital medical supplies are transported across the country whilst ensuring all of our team are being kept as safe as possible.

The full-size Captain Tom Moore locomotive has already been playing its part to help the COVID-19 recovery by hauling loads, including containers carrying PPE gloves, from Southampton to distribution centres around the country.

Bob Tiller, Engineering Director of GB Railfreight said:

“We are delighted that the Captain Tom Moore locomotive ably reproduced by Hornby, has been such a success and sales have helped raise more money for NHS charities supporting our wonderful NHS heroes as we deal with the ongoing pandemic.  The popularity of the model shows what an inspiration, Captain Tom Moore has been to us all.

“The speed at which the 3,500 miniature locos had been sold is testament of the whole railway community, including railway enthusiasts’, appreciation for the work of the NHS during this period.

“I hope that this locomotive will be a cherished reminder on model railways for years to come of the debt we owe to the NHS and the important role that the railway and freight services have been playing in helping the UK through this crisis.”

Simon Kohler, Marketing & Product Development Director at Hornby Hobbies, said:

“Like others, we at Hornby were inspired by the achievements of the amazing Captain, now Colonel Tom Moore and we were so pleased that GB Railfreight, Porterbrook, Procast Foundry and Railwayana Auctions teamed up to create a special livery on one of GB Railfeight’s Class 66 locomotives.

“As a special thank you to Col. Tom Moore and the NHS, Hornby will be producing as a limited edition, 3500 models of locomotive 66 731, ‘Capt. Tom Moore – A True British Inspiration’ the sales of which will generate £140,000 which will be donated to the NHS Charities with our heartfelt appreciation in what they are doing for us all.”

GB Railfreight, one of the UK’s leading rail freight operators, has thanked Captain Tom Moore for his fundraising efforts for the NHS with a birthday surprise – a freight locomotive named in his honour.

A 129-tonne, Class 66 freight locomotive, will be named ‘Captain Tom Moore’, with the added inscription ‘A true British inspiration’. The name plates were produced by Procast, one of which has been kindly donated by Neil Booth, Director of Railwayana Auctions UK Ltd, as a thank you for Captain Moore’s amazing efforts.

The naming took place to coincide with Captain Moore’s 100^th birthday (30 April). The name plate which will now adorn the locomotive, was unveiled by GB Railfreight Managing Director John Smith, with Captain Moore watching the ceremony from home.

Captain Moore won the hearts and minds of the nation, raising over £29,000,000 for the NHS. GB Railfreight was keen to do its bit to thank NHS workers for their extraordinary efforts during this period and decided to paint a locomotive with a message of gratitude from GB Railfeight to the NHS. Given Captain Moore’s inspirational story, it was decided to name the locomotive after him.

GB Railfreight is playing its part in supporting the UK’s COVID-19 response by helping to keep essential services running across the country and ensuring that warehouses and supermarkets remain stocked, and vital medical supplies are transported across the country whilst ensuring all of our team are being kept as safe as possible.

John Smith, Managing Director of GB Railfreight said:

“Happy birthday Captain Tom! On behalf of myself and the whole team at GB Railfreight I wanted to offer a huge ‘thank you’ for your fantastic efforts in raising money for the NHS. We are in awe of your achievement. We thought we were good at fundraising but you have achieved a level that is quite simply inspiring.

“Last week we unveiled one of our freight locomotives in thanks to our wonderful critical workers at the NHS by painting it in their colours. In honour of your efforts, we are very proud to name this locomotive after you.”

“After today, it will be pulling crucial rail freight throughout the country helping to supply the NHS. It will also help deliver food to people’s tables and kick start the country’s economy as we move forward from the current difficulties. Thank you again for all of your efforts.”

Lifelong rail enthusiast Neil Booth, Director of Railwayana Auctions UK Ltd, said:

“I was inspired by the sheer tenacity and conviction of the fundraising task for the NHS that Captain Tom Moore had set himself and thought that it would be a wonderful idea to name a locomotive in his honour on his 100th birthday. Once we had his family’s permission to do so, we very quickly had the nameplates cast, had Sir Peter Hendy CBE, Chairman of Network Rail and John Smith, Managing Director of GBRf on board along with his management team and staff who have  bent over backwards in providing a more than suitable locomotive to be honoured in this way. I just can’t thank everyone enough for their sterling efforts in making this happen within just seven days.”

GB Railfreight, one of the UK’s largest rail freight operators, has successfully trialled using former commuter trains for the express delivery of parcels.  A service was run into Euston station earlier this month using a 100mph, Class 319, EMU train, which until recently was providing commuter services in the West Midlands.

The trial showed the trains could successfully be loaded and offloaded with standard roll cages at most mainline stations across the UK and when seats are removed the carriages can carry significant volumes of parcels.

This is the first time that successful trial of using a converted commuter train has been undertaken in the UK and GB Railfreight is in discussion with Government about how the service could play a role in helping with the logistical challenge of delivering supplies to UK hospitals.

The railway network used to be extensively used for parcel deliveries between stations, but apart from specially designed trains used by the Royal Mail between dedicated terminals, parcel delivery by train disappeared decades ago.

As well as strengthening supply chains during the current crisis, a return of parcel delivery services to mainline stations would provide online retailers with a more sustainable and reliable options for overnight parcel deliveries, bringing deliveries into the heart of major cities.

John Smith, Managing Director of GB Railfreight said:

“We are committed to continuing to help the UK get through this period by ensuring that vital supplies are delivered. Rail freight has the advantage in being able to efficiently move very large volumes of goods in a safe and reliable way.

 “This successful trial shows how the railways can play their role in helping the speedy delivery of vital supplies and we are keen to be able to do our bit to help the NHS meet the logistical challenge of keeping our hospitals supplied during this period of huge demand.

 “Post-crisis these services could play a role in reducing air pollution and carbon emissions associated with parcel deliveries.  With deliveries being brought into the heart of cities by train overnight and last mile deliveries then undertaken by electric powered vehicles.”

Leading UK Railfreight operator, GB Railfreight and their industry partner Porterbrook have unveiled a specially repainted freight locomotive painted with the blue and white colours of the National Health Service.  The unveiling was timed to be part of the weekly celebrations to thank frontline workers in our health and social care sector.

GB Railfreight, one of the UK’s largest rail freight operators, decided to mark the fifth, now weekly ‘clap,’ by repainting one of its freight locomotives and unveiling it at 8pm just as millions of people across the UK were stepping outside their front doors to thank the frontline workers who are putting their lives on the line to save countless others across our hospital and care homes.

The repainting of 66731 was co-funded by the locomotive’s owner and long-term GB Railfreight partner, Porterbrook. The painting was undertaken by Arlington Fleet Services, Eastleigh.

GBRf staff joined in with the clapping as the newly decorated locomotive was unveiled to express their gratitude to all those working to keep us safe during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

GB Railfreight is playing its part in supporting the UK’s COVID-19 response by helping to keep essential services running across the country. GBRf services are playing a vital role in ensuring the continuation of supplies and trains are running from ports such as London Gateway, Southampton, Felixstowe and Teesport to distribution centres across the country.  These flows are ensuring that warehouses remain stocked, and supermarkets as well as other essential retailers remain supplied.

John Smith, Managing Director of GB Railfreight said:

“Thank you to all NHS staff and carers across the country for the hard work you have been doing to keep us safe. Across the UK you are seeing week in, week out, an outpouring of love and affection of our frontline staff and we are taking a minute today to say our thanks on behalf of GB Railfreight and the rail industry.

 “The unveiling of this locomotive is our way of saying thanks for all you are doing. We are inspired by you and wanted to say thank you in the usual GBRf way, by painting one of our regular Class 66 which will be travelling the length and breadth of the country to keep our economy moving during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. Now it will also carry our message of thanks to all our carers.”

Mary Grant, Porterbrook CEO, said:

“We are delighted to support GB Railfreight in thanking NHS staff and carers for all that they do at this unprecedented time in our nation’s life. Porterbrook is also hugely grateful to all the front-line railway staff, including John’s team, who are the unsung heroes in keeping Britain’s economy moving.”

A statement from GB Railfreight Managing Director, John Smith:

“GB Railfreight is playing our part in supporting the UK’s COVID-19 response by helping to keep essential services running across the country.

“We are focused on helping our staff protect their health by following Government advice helping people work at home whenever possible and supporting our key workers who are operating our rail freight services to protect themselves while at work.

“Our services are playing a vital role in ensuring the continuation of supplies. We are running services from ports such as London Gateway, Southampton, Felixstowe and Teesport to distribution centres across the country.  These flows are ensuring that warehouses remain stocked, and supermarkets and other essential retailers remain supplied.

“GB Railfreight’s services are also ensuring that the UK can keep the lights on. We are delivering vital supplies of biomass which are transported across the country by rail to Drax Power Station in Yorkshire, which supplies six percent of the UK’s electricity needs.

“Our teams are committed to continuing to help the UK get through this period by ensuring that vital supplies are delivered. Rail freight has the advantage in being able to efficiently move very large volumes of goods in a safe and reliable way. With each train able to move between 40 to 70 equivalent lorry loads of goods, rail freight has an important role to play to ensure that supplies can be maintained if the number of available staff across the road freight sector is hit due to illness or the need to isolate.

“I would like to play tribute to the GBRf team and those working across the rail freight sector for the role that they are playing and will continue to play as the UK responds to the pandemic. We all have to work together to ensure we keep the goods we most need moving across the entire country.”