Freightliner names locomotive, launches new service
UK rail freight operator Freightliner has named a locomotive in memory of 'Donald Malcolm'. The carer has also launched a new Felixstowe-Daventry service. All that and it found time to divest its multimodal business to a new operator.
All in all, a fairly busy October so far for the Birmingham registered operator. Freightliner has named locomotive 90021 'Donald Malcolm' in honour of the late Donald Malcolm, at a ceremony at their Midlands base of operations. Donald Malcolm transformed his family-run coal business into The Malcolm Group, one of the UK's leading providers of logistics, construction, and maintenance services.
The ceremony last week (8 October) at Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal (DIRFT) also marked the launch of a new daily freight service from Felixstowe.
Honouring a rail freight pioneer
The naming event celebrated Donald Malcolm's contribution to the UK transport and logistics sector, as well as the longstanding partnership between Freightliner and The Malcolm Group. The companies already operate several dedicated trains daily from Daventry to Grangemouth and Mossend in Scotland, helping to take heavy goods vehicles off busy roads while cutting carbon emissions compared with road haulage.
Freightliner and Malcolm Group teams line up for a group shot. Image: (C) Freightliner UK
Malcolm Group branded trains are a frequent sight on the busy West Coast Main Line, Europe's busiest mixed-traffic route.
Tie-ups between logistics operators and rail freight operators are relatively common. The cooperation between Malcolm Group and Freightliner is among the pioneers on the British network. The two partners have a commitment currently running until 2028[1].
New Felixstowe-Daventry service launched
The newly launched Felixstowe-Daventry service will operate out of the Malcolm Group's new terminal and expand Freightliner's intermodal network.
Locomotive 90021 arrived at DIRFT as part of this first service. Attendees included key customers who will use the new route, alongside Freightliner and Malcolm Group staff. "It was fantastic to celebrate the naming of locomotive 90021 in honour of Donald Malcolm, and to launch our new Felixstowe-Daventry service," said Tim Shoveller, Freightliner Group CEO.
We look forward to transporting our customers' goods efficiently, safely and sustainably on this new route." Andrew Malcolm, CEO of The Malcolm Group, added that his company was delighted and honoured to be launching this service with Freightliner and naming locomotive 90021 in memory of his late father, Donald Malcolm."
Supporting sustainable supply chains
"Naming this locomotive recognises the long heritage of Malcolm Logistics in rail freight," said invited guest, Maggie Simpson OBE, Director General of the Rail Freight Group, which represents the industry through its wide membership. "Their new facility at DIRFT 3 [the latest stage of the extensive logistics park] will help more businesses choose rail, continuing a journey that has transformed retail and logistics supply chains."
Multimodal lineup. Malcolm Group truck and train. Image: (C) Freightliner
The Malcolm Group, founded in the 1920s, now operates over six million square feet of warehousing, including three rail-connected sites.
Malcolm Rail, launched in 2001, offers daily and overnight services connecting ports, production facilities, and distribution terminals, supporting a broad range of intermodal freight users. Freightliner, the UK's largest maritime intermodal logistics operator, also serves the Heavy Haul market and is part of Freightliner Group Ltd, which operates across Europe. The company recently made a deal to sell its intermodal business to French shipping line CMA CGM (as reported by WorldCargo News[2]).
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References
- ^ commitment currently running until 2028 (www.railfreight.com)
- ^ as reported by WorldCargo News (www.worldcargonews.com)
- ^ Log in (www.railfreight.com)