150 new Intermodal Wagons for Freightliner
A new agreement between Freightliner and Porterbrook will see 150 new Intermodal Wagons on the UK railway.
The wagons will be built by WH Davis, a UK based independent manufacturer. Aligning with Porterbrook’s core growth strategy, this deal supports Freightliner’s position as the UK’s largest intermodal freight operator, in addition to aiding the government’s net zero target.
The wagons will begin to arrive in Q1 of 2027, with a new design based on 40ft platforms which allow greater efficiencies in the transportation of container volumes and around a 7% carbon reduction versus 60ft platforms.
Chris Lawrenson, Managing Director for Freightliner Intermodal Logistics, said: “Freightliner is thrilled to be partnering with Porterbrook Leasing and WH Davis on this crucial new build project. Supporting UK manufacturing wherever viable is not just important to us as a business, but also to our country’s economy. These new 40ft wagons will bring in further efficiencies to our services and increase modal share to rail from road, which in turn allows us to deliver more effectively for our customers, enabling growth and ultimately removing more lorries from our congested roads.”
Max Ordish, Head of Freight & Commercial Projects for Porterbrook, said: “Porterbook is delighted to be working with strategic partners Freightliner and WH Davis on this innovative and decarbonised solution for the intermodal market. The order of this new wagon design serves as a landmark deal in our portfolio and will help our customer achieve greater efficiencies and fewer carbon emissions in its future operations.”
Andy Houghton, Managing Director for WH Davis, said: “As Managing Director of WH Davis, part of Buckland Rail, I’m proud to be working alongside Porterbrook and Freightliner on this innovative, low-carbon solution for the intermodal market. Securing this order for our new wagon design represents a significant milestone for our business, and we are looking forward to building on the collaborative relationship between the three companies.”
Wabtec will be supplying the bogies for the new wagons.
Tim Bentley, Group Vice President Regional Services for Wabtec UK, said: “Wabtec Corporation is proud to collaborate with Freightliner, WH Davies, and Porterbrook on this exciting project. Our Axiom TF20+ bogie design, together with Wabtec’s UIC brake equipment, has been selected for the new wagons. This will deliver key life cycle benefits, including extended wheel life, fuel savings, and reduced track access charges. We look forward to working closely with our partners to successfully deliver this program and provide lasting value to our customers”.
Data from The Office of Road and Rail (ORR) shows that between April and June of 2025 4,088 million net tonne kilometres of rail freight was moved proving that the rail freight industry is growing and easing both traffic and emissions in UK transport.