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GBRf opens new maintenance facility in Tonbridge

John Smith, CEO of GB Railfreight, Maggie Simpson, Director General of the Rail Freight Group and Phil Williamson, Managing Director of Cairn Cross. GBRf.

GB Railfreight (GBRf) has officially opened a new maintenance facility in Tonbridge. The £2.5 million facility will bolster the efficiency of GBRf's locomotive maintenance regime and improve operational reliability in the south east of England.

The new site, which is larger than nine double-decker buses, was built by Cairn Cross and will provide a purpose-built hub for maintaining GBRf's Class 73, 69 and 66 fleets. It will be operated by partners including EMD, Wabtec and St. Leonard's Railway Engineering.

The facility will complement existing sites in Doncaster and Peterborough and Its location will see an improvement in operational efficiency for the company’s fleet in the South of England as well as contributing to significant carbon savings.

John Smith, Chief Executive Officer at GB Railfreight, said: "Our new facility at Tonbridge demonstrates our commitment to continued investment and innovation in the rail network."

In addition to locomotive maintenance, the Tonbridge site will also provide rail head treatment services for Network Rail. These services, which ensure the smooth running of passenger trains by cleaning the tracks of fallen leaves, snow and ice, will benefit commuters across the south east with safer, more reliable journeys.

GBRf complete its rail head treatment services for Network Rail from its current site at Tonbridge and will continue to do so.

John Smith, Chief Executive Officer at GB Railfreight, said: "Our new facility at Tonbridge demonstrates our commitment to continued investment and innovation in the rail network."

Maggie Simpson OBE, Director General at the Rail Freight Group, added: "The rail freight sector is committed to growth – it's fantastic to see private freight operators like GB Railfreight investing in facilities such as the new maintenance hub at Tonbridge."  

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