First GBrF
First GBRf is a British freight train operating company. Formerly called GB Railfreight, it became part of FirstGroup when they acquired its parent company, GB Railways. Its new owner is Eurotunnel.
It is the third largest rail freight operator on the British network. It has several bases including Peterborough and March.
History
GB Railfreight was formed in 1999 as a new rail freight company operating in the United Kingdom, part of the GB Railways group of companies. Unlike competitors EWS and Freightliner the company was not formed from parts of the privatised British Railways freight sectors.
In 2003 First Group acquired a majority share in the company. The company was rebranded as First GBRf.
In May 2010 First Group put the business up for sale. Eurotunnel, SNCF and Freightliner were reported as being interested in the company. The company was acquired by Europorte a subsidiary of the Eurotunnel Group on the 1st of June 2010 for £31 million.
Rollingstock
The Class 08 shunters are used for shunting work in the First GBRf depots.
The Class 66 fleet sees use on the main freight flows and the five Metronet liveried 66's are also employed on London Underground maintenance. First GBRf Class 66s were also hired to Fastline Freight to operate their coal flows until their own Class 66's had been delivered.
First GBRf use their small class 73 fleet in the south on engineering trains and other work such as ECS moves for passenger operators.
The Class 325 fleet is used for Royal Mail trains from London to the North and mostly run under their own power; however, during engineering work or due to unit failure they can be seen being hauled both by diesel and electric locomotives.