East West Rail Launches First Freight Train to Northampton

East West Rail has launched its first freight service, connecting Didcot to Milton Keynes and supporting operations at the new Northampton Gateway terminal in a major step for UK rail logistics. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

The 35-mile journey began at Oxford, where the train entered East West Rail infrastructure before merging with the West Coast Main Line. This development follows the completion of the $1.52 billion rail section in October 2024.

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East West Rail Opens Northampton Gateway Freight Link

The new 35-acre terminal at Northampton Gateway is now fully connected to the West Coast Main Line via the Northampton Loop. Engineers completed the link over Easter 2025 using an advanced junction system.

Freight trains can now enter and exit the terminal at up to 40 mph, a speed eight times faster than typical UK freight terminals. This efficiency reduces interference with passenger operations and improves the entire rail network.

East West Rail Enhances Sustainable Transport Efficiency

The upgraded rail design supports faster freight movement, helping divert cargo from congested road networks to more sustainable rail routes. This contributes to the UK’s green transport goals and lowers emissions.

Gary Walsh, Director of Network Rail’s West Coast South route, said the project proves that modern infrastructure directly benefits both rail freight and passenger flow, while boosting environmental performance.

East West Rail aims to restore rail connectivity between Oxford and Cambridge. The new line represents the first of three phases, currently supporting both commercial freight and future passenger operations.

Source: railway-news.com

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