Fifty new purpose-built high capacity biomass hopper wagons will be built as the result of a major new haulage contract between GB Railfreight (GBRf) and Lynemouth Power Limited (LPL). It is intended that the new hoppers will be in operation by the start of October next year.

GBRf, one of the largest freight operators in the United Kingdom, is planning to run a total of 27 trains a week, delivering over 37,000 tonnes of biomass – essentially organically-based fuels – each week, between the Port of Tyne on the north east coast and Lynemouth Power Station, some 30 kilometres further north.

Coal services

The contract comes as part of a 10-year investment project for the power station, and GBRf previously demonstrated its reliability along this route whilst running coal services to Lynemouth power station when the station was owned by RWE npower. The last such service ran in April 2015, so the new biomass contract marks something of a rebirth for rail services to Lynemouth.

John Smith, Managing Director of GB Railfreight, said: “We are delighted to announce this new contract with LPL, as a result of the commitment and dedication from our team. GB Railfreight has grown extensively over the past few years, and new contracts with companies such as LPL are an indication of the positive outlook for our company’s future.

Critical time for investment

“This new contract shows the strength of our company at a critical time for investment in the rail freight industry, and we are very proud we are able to continue to grow in this environment. We are extremely pleased to sign this deal with LPL and we look forward to working closely with them to help deliver power to the UK National Grid.“

The announcement comes on the back of a deal between GBRf and PUMA to run fuels services from Interminals Immingham East in Lincolnshire. GBRf has this month launched a service going to Bedworth, in the Midlands, Coventry, and Theale, in Berkshire.

Roy Brooke, UK General Manager at PUMA Energy, said: “Puma Energy UK are pleased to be working with GBRf to supply quality, competitively priced fuels to their inland terminals from a new supply location at Interterminals, Immingham East. This new supply route will help increase supply capacity and support further growth in the UK market. GBRf have been chosen as a key partner for this activity, bringing a wealth of expertise in rail logistics and a ‘can do’ attitude to match that of Puma Energy.”

GB Railfreight recently changed hands from Groupe Eurotunnel to EQT Infrastructure II.