Freightliner turns to WH Davis for wagon repurposing

UK freight operating company Freightliner has engaged with specialist rail engineering company WH Davis to partner on a re-purposing project. Freightliner UK has a redundant fleet of coal wagons, which it plans to put to use, serving a client base in the aggregates sector. WH Davis already has an enviable reputation for work in this field.

With a growing client list in the aggregates sector, Freightliner is seeking cost-effective ways to service the industry. In that respect, the company’s former coal-carrying wagon fleet is in line for repurposing and refurbishing. From the UK supply chain, they’ve found an experienced partner in WH Davis.

Track record

Freightliner has formally announced a partnership with engineers WH Davis and with the rolling stock leasing company Porterbrook to repurpose its residual coal wagon fleet into aggregate box wagons. The conversions will be carried out at the WH Davis engineering works in Mansfield, in the English Midlands.

The repurposed wagons will be funded by Porterbrook, the British rolling stock company, and leased to Freightliner. WH Davis has extensive experience. They notably worked on several rakes of former hopper wagons, converting them to carry biomass. These wagons are in service, mainly feeding the insatiable appetite of the Drax energy-generating complex in Yorkshire.

Giving redundant fleets a future purpose

This collaboration aims to meet customer needs and enhance rail freight growth, said an entirely understandable company statement. “We are delighted to be giving an otherwise redundant coal wagon fleet a new lease of life,” added Dave Penney, the Managing Director for Rail Services & Heavy Haul at Freightliner. “This is the more sustainable option. It also allows us to support the local economy as these wagons will be reconditioned in the UK. We look forward to seeing the wagons in action next year [2025], delivering for our customers across the UK.”

Making sparks fly. WH Davis engineers at work. Image: © WH Davis.

The engineers at WH Davis are gearing up for the project. “This is a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate what can be achieved by giving redundant fleets a purpose for the next thirty-plus years,” said Andy Houghton, their Managing Director. “It’s a truly sustainable option that also gives UK manufacturing a boost to enable the creation of UK jobs in the industry. I really can’t wait to see our latest box wagon design in traffic for Freightliner in 2025.”

long-term growth of rail freight

As RailFreight.com reported, the latest rail freight statistics released by the UK Office of Rail and Road did show a slight downturn in aggregate traffic for the second quarter of 2024. However, the mining, construction and rail freight industries are all confident of long-term growth. “Freight volumes in the construction sector [are] on the rise and expected to continue growing,” said Mark Wyborn, Head of Freight at Porterbrook. “This agreement highlights our commitment to investing in the long-term growth of rail freight while providing affordable, innovative, and sustainable rolling stock for the UK railway.”

WH Davis is the UK’s only railway wagon manufacturer. It has been designing and manufacturing railway wagons and containers from its site in Mansfield for over 100 years. Freightliner has made its name as the UK’s largest maritime intermodal logistics operator. However, they have a substantial, heavy haul business, too, and they transport bulk loads for several clients. The company has innovated with extra heavy “jumbo trains”. These run at double capacity in one train path, thereby increasing line capacity. Growth in the aggregates market may well call for more such operations in future.

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