Sixteen Class 56s have been bought by GB Railfreight from UK Rail Leasing.

GB Railfreight confirmed: “In the first instance, some of these locomotives will be moved from Leicester to be stored at various locations pending a decision on their future re-engineering, while others may be returned to service if required.”

GBRf Managing Director John Smith said: “This is an important deal for us as it provides much needed capacity for our expanding business. At a time when rail freight is facing an uncertain future, GBRf is able to say it is growing and confident that the industry will overcome current challenges.

“With ambitious housing and infrastructure targets, growing consumer demand and the need to reduce carbon emissions, rail freight must be ready to play a central role.”