Leading rail freight operator GB Railfreight (GBRf) has signed a new 10‑year agreement with Wabtec, a global rail technology company offering rolling stock maintenance and component services.
GBRf said the partnership would see Wabtec carry out maintenance of its intermodal wagons at the GBRf Maintenance Hub in Peterborough.
In a first for the UK rail freight sector, Wabtec will introduce its cutting‑edge KinetiX system, a laser‑guided, high‑speed imaging technology that can capture 20,000 images per second. This innovation will enable pit‑stop‑style inspections and servicing across GBRf’s fleet of 585 FEA intermodal platform wagons, which the operator said would drive major improvements in maintenance efficiency and accuracy.
It added that it would use the data-rich, high‑precision information generated by KinetiX to adopt a proactive pit stop maintenance regime. By assessing wagons according to their calculated life cycle, the two organisations hope to reduce in‑service faults, strengthen fleet resilience, and deliver even greater reliability for customers and the wider rail network.
Liam Day, Director of Assets at GB Railfreight, said: “This agreement represents a major step forward in how we care for and manage our wagon fleet. By integrating Wabtec’s KinetiX technology into our operations, we gain unprecedented insight into asset health, allowing us to make smarter, data‑driven maintenance decisions. This will not only enhance reliability for our customers but also set a new benchmark for wagon maintenance across the UK freight sector.”
Tim Bentley, Regional Vice President at Wabtec Services UK & Ireland: “We are delighted that GB Railfreight have awarded Wabtec UK this long-term maintenance contract. This strategic commitment by both parties further strengthens our long established collaborative relationship.
“With the support of our cutting‑edge inspection technology, KinetiX, and our highly skilled Technicians and Engineers, working within the world‑class dedicated maintenance hub, we will help GB Railfreight transform wagon maintenance. Together, we will deliver optimised fleet availability and reliability, building a better and more sustainable railway for the future.”
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