Stobart Rail Freight

Stobart Rail Freight is responsible for operating a series of highly successful, multi-award winning daily train routes on behalf of some of the UK’s leading companies.

These services represent a highly innovative solution to the environmental issues raised by regular high volume road transport. Since inception in 2006, the Stobart trains have been responsible for taking dozens of long distance truck loads off Britain’s congested roads every day, saving millions of lorry miles and massively reducing CO2 emissions.

The flagship daily Daventry to Grangemouth service has been so environmentally efficient that it alone makes fuel and CO2 savings equivalent to taking the entire Stobart fleet of over 1850 trucks off the road for around two weeks a year.

The environmentally positive transport solution

In today’s carbon, congestion and cost conscious society, road haulage is an increasingly contentious issue. Not only do the ongoing rises in fuel charges play a significant factor in FMCG inflationary pressures, but the carbon footprint of road transport has become a major consideration.

Stobart currently operates several trains on key routes throughout the UK and Europe, and has a number of further routes in development.

Built around a major retailer’s ongoing requirement for freight transport from their DCs in the Midlands, northwards to Scotland, and then on into the Highlands, the services commence with Stobart transporting the containerised products from the distribution centre (DC) to the railhead, where they are transferred to rail ready to begin their journey north.

On arrival, the containers are transferred back on to Stobart trucks for the final leg of the journey. With a fresh set of containers carrying a variety of clients’ products now in place, the trains make their return journey.

The trains represent a major investment by Stobart Rail, and include the exclusive leasing of locomotives and the purchase of a substantial number of specialist ambient and refrigerated containers. Crucial to the specification has been a container height of just 8’6”, which allows the trains to use any UK rail route; avoiding problems with line closures and giving maximum flexibility and potential for the ongoing expansion of the service.

Stobart Rail ‘backhaul’ opportunities

Stobart Rail’s trains operate on a number of busy routes between the Midlands and the north of Scotland. Each train comprises dozens of containers packed with caged goods travelling from national DCs to local facilities and stores.

The return ‘backhaul’ legs of each of Stobart Rail’s routes are used to carry returns, empty cages, pallets and recyclables for the customer. Inevitably there is significant capacity available on the ‘backhaul’ runs. This space, which represents an extremely environmentally friendly transport option, is already being utilised by a number of clients.

If your business would benefit from cost-effective green transport southwards from Inverness or Aberdeen to Grangemouth; Grangemouth or Mossend to Daventry; or Widnes to Dartford, then contact Stobart Rail on 01228 882 300.

Stobart Rail container specifications
Internal Loading Height	2.13m
Rear Opening Door Height	2.07m
Door Opening Width	2.4m
Internal Length	13.6m
Side Opening width (between pins)	12.4m
The specially designed lower profile 8'6" containers used on the Stobart rail services allow the trains to use even restricted height branch lines; ensuring minimal disruption during main line closures and maximising potential for expansion of the services.