Freight Operating Companies

Great Britain has several Freight Train Operating Companies, by far the largest of which is

DB Schenker, a subsidiary of German State Railways Die Bahn, now has operations throughout Europe. It UK arm operates most of the freight trains in Great Britain and through the Channel Tunnel.

Other operators in Great Britain include:

• Direct Rail Services
  Set up as subsidiary of British Nuclear Fuels for the movement of nuclear flasks by rail, DRS now offers general railfreight services and charter passenger services.
• Stobart Rail
  Long established road haulier diversifying into rail. Does not operate its own trains but contracts with other freight operators
• Europorte 2
  Eurotunnel subsidiary operating through the Channel Tunnel and in continental Europe
• Freightliner
  Freight carrier initially specializing in moving containers by rail, now diversifying into bulk transport. Has subsidiaries in other countries of Europe.
• Mendip Rail
  A company jointly owned by Foster Yeoman and Hanson Quarry Products. Provides locomotives and trains for the transport of stone products from the two companies' quarries in Somerset, although traincrews are provided by DB Schenker (No website located at present)
• GB Railfreight
  A company which started out by operating infrastructure maintenance trains for the national network before expanding into the general freight market. Acquired by Eurotunnel in 2010.
• Colas Rail
  Another provider of infrastructure maintenance trains, now diversifying into general freight.
• Harsco Rail
  A track maintenance contractor with a license to run its own trains.

Most freight operators in the UK are members of the Rail Freight Group.

© 2000-2010 Glyn Williams