GB Railfreight’s Driving Force

GB Railfreight (GBRf) is one of the UK’s leading and fastest growing rail freight hauliers and has undoubtedly become one of the railway industry’s biggest success stories over the past decade.

Since its formation in 1999, GBRf has always stood out from the crowd with its unique culture and focus on innovation and outstanding customer delivery.

With a workforce of over 600 staff, GBRf operates over 1,000 trains a week moving 15% of Britain’s rail freight. GBRf have a fleet of over 130 locomotives and 1,100 wagons transporting goods for customers such as Drax, Network Rail, EDF Energy, MSC UK, Aggregate Industries and Tarmac, its teams are spread all over the UK and truly do make the business the success it is today.

GBRf fundamentally believe that moving goods for our customers means we are a critical cog in the wheel of our national economy. We therefore pride ourselves in providing high satisfaction levels and a reliability level which has not fallen below 99% since 2009. GB Railfreight’s success has been recognised with many accolades within the industry since its founding and features as a regular finalist and winner at the RAILs National Awards and National Rail Awards.

The success of GBRf is very much down to the dedication and hard work if its people. As a team, they are led by the company’s five core principles of Safety, Professionalism, Empowerment, Trust and Enjoyment and these values are embedded in everything GBRf does.

This year GBRf were sold to EQT Infrastructure II,  a company which owns numerous other businesses including a Swedish Railfreight business called Hector Rail. GB Railfreight will operate under the Hector Rail umbrella and the move has been welcomed by GBRf Managing Director John Smith who believes EQT’s business model is very much aligned with GB Railfreight’s and supports the continued growth ambitions for the business.

The business has a commitment to give back to society and every year sponsors a nominated Charity. GBRf have previously supported the likes of ‘Help for Hero’s, Bloodwise and Age UK  and this year GBRf have already raised a staggering £125,000 for the British Heart Foundation, Woking homes and the Ripple project through regular fundraising events organised throughout the business.

GBRf strive to be different and are committed to ensuring its employees work within an environment which is rewarding, positive, inclusive and enjoyable for all.  This is reflected in the many initiatives and company benefits offered to support staff and their wellbeing both in and out of work.

GBRf realise our employees make the difference and they are the reason our business has continued to thrive. We want to expand upon this success and are excited to announce we are currently seeking front line railway professionals for various roles across the business in the UK.

What we are looking
for/Criteria:

We believe the experience and skills you will have obtained in the Forces are transferable to the type of operations we undertake at GBRf. If you are safety conscious and adhere to rules and regulations, have a professional attitude and are highly motivated we would like to hear from you.

• Candidates must have a full clean driver licence

• Must pass full medical and D&A test.

• Excellent communication skills

• Ability to remain calm under pressure

• Work to rules and instructions protecting the safety of yourself and others at all times.

What GBRf offer

We offer attractive remuneration packages and a range of fantastic company benefits including a medical healthcare plan that entitles you to coverage of dental, optical, consultations, physio, counselling support up to set values per year.  Our healthcare benefits are available to staff and partners residing at the same address as you as well as children up to the age of 18 years old.

We also offer retail discounts, gym concessions, car lease scheme, childcare vouchers, denplan option, cycle to work and regular social events for staff and their families.

How to contact us

We welcome contact from individuals who are looking to develop their careers within all areas of the rail freight industry, so if you would like an opportunity to discuss a railway career with a representative from our HR team please email

gb.recruitment@gbrailfreight.com  and schedule a call with an advisor.

Apply now and come and join our driving force

GBRf are currently seeking Frontline Railway Professionals

Location: Nationwide

Role Details: GBRf are committed to training drivers of the future within the business and these roles of provide the perfect platform to meet that ambition. We currently seek experienced Rail Operators/ground staff to drive and operate locomotives on private infrastructure.

Criteria: Applicants should have previous experience working in a safety focused role, be professional and have an excellent safety record. You must be over the age of 18 and have the desire to be aligned to GBRf’s core values, as well as being highly customer focussed and safety conscious . The successful candidate will earn circa £26,000 basic per annum for an average 40 hour week.

Case Study

Tom Carlin joined GBRf in 2014 following 12 years service as a C3S Signal operator.

‘Whilst in the army I was responsible for audits and maintenance of armoury stores ensuring weapons were inspected, calibrated and in date. Having served 12 enjoyable years in the Army I came home to seek a new career in an Safety environment. Having known people who worked in The Railway Industry, it seemed like a good fit for my skills and experience. The Railway had always had a great reputation for looking after staff and seemed to offer security and steady employment choices.

I was instantly attracted to GBRf as it seemed to offer the best options to develop my skills and interests in Safety practices. I was seeking a career which challenged me and allowed me the flexibility to work steady shifts to balance my home life commitments. (NB he mentioned this as opposed to working tours and not knowing from one day to the next what I would be working). Having been offered so many fantastic benefits with the army, the benefits and pension scheme that any perspective employer would offer were also very important to me and I found GBRf offered the right balance which largely extended to cover my family members.

I joined GBRf in 2014 and was initially appointed to the role of Rail Operator which had responsibility for shunting and operating locomotives off network within Cottam power station. I enjoyed the role very much and it gave me the fundamental operational knowledge I knew I needed to apply in a Safety management role on the railway. Whilst in the role I used my army credits to enhance my career and interests and I successfully completed my NEBOSH in 2015. The skills attained then allowed me to embark on a secondment into Safety and having proved myself I was offered a role as a Safety Analyst this year. Since joining the Safety team I have worked on many safety projects and initiatives and they have supported me to complete my PTS, and Groundstaff competence. The future certainly looks bright too as I am about to use my remaining army credits to embark on my lead auditor course which will allow me to get involved in more activity. Ultimately I would like to go as far as I can into Safety Management and believe with the start and opportunity I have had within GBRf has put me in a good position to meet that end goal.