Container haulier Newell & Wright Transport (NWT) has had a railway locomotive painted in its livery.
The GB Railfreight-owned class 66 engine, which has been named Made in Sheffield, will operate a daily service from DP World London Gateway to the haulier’s own Rotherham rail terminal.
Since opening three years ago, NWT’s rail terminal has expanded rapidly, and currently receives 300 containers per day. In addition to the London Gateway train, there are also two daily services from Felixstowe.
Speaking at the naming ceremony at the London Gateway rail terminal this week, NWT operations director Stephen Newell (pictured), said: “This is a big step for us, both as a family and a business. It’s been a lot of hard work, but days like this make it all worthwhile. When we opened the rail terminal this momentous day was just a pipedream.”
Newell told Commercial Motor that instead of having a detrimental effect on the haulage business, the rail terminal has boosted it. “Not only is the haulage business growing, but we’re using the trucks more competitively these days,” he explained. “The long distances are covered by the train, meaning the trucks can service the local area. We’re covering considerably less distances these days.”
At the event NWT also showed a brand new MAN TGX 26.460, the 96th MAN on its 115-strong fleet. “We really like the MAN product,” said Newell. “They look after us well, and the back-up has been exceptional. The Euro-6 TGX is an excellent truck.”
Year: 2007 | Body Type: Tractor unit | Cab Type: Sleeper | Registration: MX07CN | Mileage: 739,259 km | Category: Tractor units
Year: 2008 | Body Type: Scaffolding | Registration: MX57KFA | Mileage: 535,000 km | Category: Rigids
Year: 2011 | Body Type: Tractor unit | Registration: OE61OC | Mileage: 489,889 km | Weight: 4,400 kg | Category: Tractor units
