GB Railfreight and Wabtec Seal Decade-Long Deal to Transform Wagon Maintenance

GB Railfreight has entered into a new long-term maintenance partnership with rail technology specialist Wabtec, securing a ten-year agreement covering the upkeep of its intermodal wagon fleet.

Under the deal, maintenance work will be carried out at GB Railfreight’s Peterborough Maintenance Hub, with Wabtec responsible for supporting the operator’s fleet of intermodal wagons. The agreement brings together one of the UK’s largest rail freight companies and a global supplier with extensive experience in rolling stock maintenance and component services.

Central to the partnership is the introduction of Wabtec’s KinetiX system, marking the first time the technology has been deployed within the UK rail freight sector. The laser-guided, high-speed imaging system is capable of capturing up to 20,000 images per second, allowing wagons to be inspected in a pit-stop-style process. The technology will be applied across GB Railfreight’s fleet of 585 FEA intermodal platform wagons, with the aim of significantly improving inspection speed, accuracy and consistency.

The data produced by KinetiX will support a shift towards a proactive, lifecycle-based maintenance approach. By assessing each wagon’s condition and remaining service life, GB Railfreight and Wabtec expect to reduce in-service faults, improve fleet resilience and enhance overall 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.”

Image: GB Railfreight