Footage has been released of the first commercial freight train to travel along the newly completed East West Rail line. The journey forms part of the rail link into a new strategic rail freight interchange in Northampton, marking a significant milestone for both projects.
Shortly after 13:00 yesterday (Monday 16 June), the freight service from Didcot entered the new East West Rail infrastructure at Oxford. It then travelled the 35 miles to Milton Keynes, where it connected with the busy West Coast Main Line. This journey marks the first time East West Rail’s infrastructure has been utilised for commercial freight, following months of essential signaller training and train driver familiarisation since the £1.2 billion railway was completed in October 2024.
This inaugural journey also coincided with another significant development: the entry into service of Maritime Transport’s Northampton Gateway terminal. Network Rail completed its work at the site this Easter, directly linking the 35-acre freight facility to the West Coast Main Line via the Northampton Loop.
The modern junction design at Northampton Gateway allows freight trains to enter and exit the site at speeds of up to 40mph, which is eight times faster than conventional freight connections. This expedited clearing of the railway junction is expected to significantly improve both passenger and freight journeys by reducing the impact on other services operating on the main line.
Gary Walsh, Director for Network Rail’s West Coast South route, commented: “Running the first commercial freight train into Northampton Gateway using East West Rail infrastructure is a big step forward. The new rail link has been designed to let trains move in and out at speeds of up to 40mph, which is much faster than usual for freight terminals. This means less disruption to passenger services and a smoother, more efficient railway overall. It’s a great example of how smart infrastructure can support greener transport and decrease the number of heavy goods vehicles on our roads.”
John Bailey, Managing Director – Intermodal, Maritime Transport, said: “The arrival of our first service via EWR is an important step in expanding UK rail freight capacity, providing businesses with a direct, low-carbon route from Southampton to the heart of the UK’s golden logistics triangle. This development demonstrates how infrastructure and private-sector investment can deliver a more efficient and sustainable supply chain, while easing pressure on a congested road network.”
These twin milestones represent a significant moment for the East West Rail programme, which is designed to enhance connectivity between Oxford and Cambridge. The first of its three phases, also known as Connection Stage One, is the new £1.2 billion section of railway that will restore train services for both passengers and goods between Oxford and Milton Keynes.
Earlier this year, the Department for Transport named Chiltern Railways as the operator for future passenger services on the route.
