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RBA
would otherwise be needed for wagon
replacement.
The BP Oil agreement represents the
latest in a series of successful purchase and
leaseback deals completed by VTG over
the last few years. With regulations and
requirements relating to ownership and
maintenance becoming ever more detailed
and onerous, VTG is finding that more and
more private wagon owners are turning to
it for help.
‘As well as purchase and leaseback,
VTG is able to offer comprehensive wagon
management packages,’ said sales manager,
Ian Shaw. ‘Both alternatives relieve the
customer of this regulatory burden,
allowing them to concentrate on their core
business, whilst retaining independence in
their wagon provision and allowing them to
take advantage of the competitive haulage
market.’
This year has also witnessed the
completion of VTG’s first biomass wagons
as part of an agreement with GBRf to
modify a section of its brand new coal
hopper fleet.
Shaw said: ‘Working in conjunction
with our key suppliers, Lloyd’s Register
Rail, WH Davis and ITT, we designed
an automated roof system which has
been retrofitted to our wagons, ensuring
the biomass product stays in optimum
condition during its journey to Drax Power
Station.
‘The biomass wagons are unique. They
are the first instance of a wagon which
incorporates full automation for both the
top and bottom doors, meaning that no
operator needs to be present within the dust
laden loading and unloading facility. Also
especially important for this product was
the roof sealing design to keep the biomass
product dry, as water contamination
prevents it from burning efficiently, as well
as impeding proper discharge from the
wagons.’
The biomass wagons represent a major
highlight for the rail industry, bringing a
new product to rail on a significant scale,
driven by Drax’s commitment to further
reduce its carbon footprint through the use
of renewable sources of energy.
The start of 2010 saw VTG celebrate a
successful first year in its 15-year purchase
and leaseback deal with Tarmac Buxton
Lime and Cement, while April marked the
commencement of a new agreement to
supply box wagons to Thamesteel for the
movement of scrap steel.
Whether it is achieving impressive
contract wins or bringing innovation to
the industry, VTG is an obvious choice to
promote Railfreight Excellence.
‘As Britain’s largest
independent wagon
hire company, VTG is
well suited to promote
an award that
celebrates business
excellence in rail
freight’
17 February 2011
London Hilton, Park Lane,
London
For more information please contact
Simon King on 01444 221000
or email
rba@woodhousecommunications.co.uk
www.railbusinessawards.com
AUGUST 2010 PAGE 33