GB Railfreight (GBRf) and Drax Power Limited (Drax) today celebrate their partnership in delivering renewable energy with the unveiling of a special locomotive at the National Railway Museum in York (Wednesday 18 January).

The Eco Express has been named to reflect the efficient movement of renewable and sustainable biomass material from the Port of Tyne in South Shields to Drax Power Station, near Selby.

The name was chosen by Sophie English, aged nine, winner of a children's competition at the Great Yorkshire Show. She was guest of honour to unveil the class 66 locomotive, number 66734, with John Smith, managing director of GB Railfreight and Drax chief executive Dorothy Thompson.

Sophie explained that she came up with the name because she liked the sound of eco for environment and express for train, hence The Eco Express

John Smith said: "I am very pleased to name this locomotive The Eco Express and congratulate Sophie on her competition win. This naming further underlines our partnership with Drax."

Dorothy Thompson added: "Our partnership with GBRf and the naming of this locomotive by Sophie English today demonstrates our joint commitment to strong, efficient rail links and a low carbon future."

A year since freight trials began GBRf currently moves 500,000 tonnes of biomass fuel from the Port of Tyne to Drax, where it is burnt to produce low carbon, cost effective, reliable and flexible electricity.

GBRf's ground-breaking biomass business helped the company pick up the top prize for Freight and Logistics Achievement at the National Rail Awards 2011.

Drax Power Station is now the largest single source of renewable power in the UK. Its co-firing facility, the biggest in the world, already gives the power station the capability to produce 12.5% of its power output from renewable sources and reduce emissions of carbon dioxide by over 2.5 million tonnes a year, but with an appropriate level of regulatory support, not only would this capability be used to the full, but Drax would be able to transform itself, over time, into a predominantly renewable generator.

On its way to making deliveries to Drax, The Eco Express will pass by the National Railway Museum as does Drax Power Station, another locomotive previously named by GBRf.

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About GB Railfreight
GB Railfreight (GBRf) is one of the UK's leading specialist rail freight companies, operating a wide ranging portfolio of intermodal and bulk traffic services in commodities such as coal, petrochemicals, and construction materials. Its innovative approach and focus on flexibility, reliability and customer service has led to a raft of rail industry awards and a number of recent significant contract wins. GBRf is part of Europorte, the rail freight arm of GET (Groupe Eurotunnel SA).

About Drax
Drax Power Limited is the owner and operator of Drax Power Station, the largest, cleanest and most efficient coal fired power station in the UK. The output capacity from the station's six generators is 4,000MW.

At current output levels Drax supplies some 7% of the UK's electricity needs, and through substituting sustainable biomass for some of its coal the station now produces around 7% of the UK's renewable power.

Woodhouse Communications issued this release on behalf of GB Railfreight and Drax.
For more information contact Kaye Inglis of Woodhouse Communications on 01444 221000 or email kaye@woodhousecommunications.co.uk

For more information about Drax Power Limited contact Melanie Wedgbury 01757 612438.

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