L4 Logistics | Transport Shipping and Logistics News

The brand-new locomotives, each weighing 126 tonnes, were unloaded at the port’s South Dock, with one of the vessel’s specialist 500-tonne capacity cranes positioning them on the port’s rail sidings. Once the operation was completed, English Welsh and Scottish Railway engineers inspected the locomotives and handed them over to their new operators, freight hauliers GB Railfreight.Sporting a distinctive orange and blue livery, the locomotives form part of an £80 million investment by Metronet Rail, who are responsible for the maintenance of the majority of the London Underground network. The locomotives, which are owned by HSBC but permanently leased to GB Railfreight, will play a crucial role in Metronet Rail’s upcoming London Underground track-renewal programme to replace and upgrade one third of the network’s track within the next 10 years.John Fitzgerald, Port Director for ABP’s South Wales Ports, said:“Newport is rightly recognised as the UK’s premier port for locomotive handling. Almost the entire UK stock of more than 300 Class-66 locomotives was imported through the Port of Newport between 1998 and 2000. We are proud that the port continues to provide the best service for importing these engines.” John Smith, GB Railfreight’s Managing Director, said:“Newport is an excellent location to handle the locomotives due to its close proximity to the national railway network, efficient handling facilities, and excellent record in handling specialist cargo. GB Railfreight would like to thank ABP for their efforts in ensuring that last Saturday’s handling operation was completed on schedule and without mishap.”Source: Press Release