Porterbrook has ordered 150 newly designed intermodal wagons from British manufacturer WH Davis, which will be leased to operator Freightliner under an agreement signed on December 8, 2025.
The first intermodal wagons will be delivered in the first quarter of 2027, based on a 40 ft (12.2 meter) platform, which allows for greater efficiency in container transport and a reduction in CO₂ emissions of approximately 7% compared to traditional 60 ft (18 meter) platforms.
“The new 40-foot wagons will increase the efficiency of our services and contribute to the transfer of goods from road to rail, reducing congestion and emissions,” said Chris Lawrenson, Managing Director of Freightliner Intermodal Logistics.
The newly designed intermodal wagons will be equipped with Axiom TF20+ bogies and UIC brakes supplied by Wabtec, known for benefits such as longer wheel life, fuel economy, and reduced infrastructure access costs.
Max Ordish, Director of Freight & Commercial Projects at Porterbrook, emphasized that this contract represents “a milestone for our portfolio,” adding that the new wagons will help the operator achieve superior performance and lower emissions in future operations.
WH Davis is the only independent rail manufacturer remaining in the UK and is the leading provider of wagon design and manufacturing services to the UK rail freight industry. In addition, the company offers warranties and after-sales support for its products and more.
According to data from the Office of Road and Rail (ORR), between April and June 2025, rail transport in the UK reached 4,088 million net tonne-kilometers, confirming the sector’s continued growth and its role in reducing road traffic and emissions nationwide.
This investment consolidates the position of rail transport as a key solution for a more efficient, cleaner, and more competitive logistics system in the coming years.
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