This year’s Rail Forum Annual Conference focused on the ways that the rail industry can create and add value for our customers, our people, the environment and the economy.

Mark Wyborn, Porterbrook’s Head of Freight and Route Services, joined the first discussion of the day where he spoke on an engaging panel around unlocking the value of rail freight. Mark was joined by Maggie Simpson from Rail Freight Group, Andy Camp of Chiltern Railways, Kathryn Oldale from DB Cargo and Matt Colclough at Siemens Mobility.

Mark reinforced Porterbrook’s commitment to investing in rail freight for the long term, with the wider economic and environmental benefits clear. Among other key statistics, the panel discussed how rail freight results in 82% less noise compared to lorry traffic, while transporting £30 billion worth of good each year.

Mark referenced the recent project between Porterbrook, GB Railfreight and Greenbrier to deliver 100 new intermodal twin wagons and 50 new box wagons, significantly increasing rail freight capacity in the UK. Key to this successful delivery, Mark shared, was open and agile communication, as well as a strong, trusting partnership.