The company was originally the English, Welsh & Scottish Railway, established by Wisconsin Central and its CEO Ed Burkhardt in 1995
An EMD Class 66 lcomotive leads a DB Cargo UK train as it approaches the former Great Western Railway yard at Acton in West London on Sept. 23, 2025. Germany’s Deutsche Bahn is placing its UK affiliate up for sale. David Lassen
DONCASTER, England — State-owned German railway company Deutsche Bahn is placing its British freight affiliate, DB Cargo UK, up for sale.
Sky News reports that the company is working with dealmaking and advisory company Interpath on an auction of the affiliate and is engaged in talks with prospective bidders.
Rail Business UK reports that DB Cargo UK CEO Andrea Rossi said in a statement that parent company DB Cargo AG “has advised that its strategic focus will increasingly be on its core Central European operations, which are currently undergoing major restructuring following the European Commission’s recent State Aid ruling.” (That ruling establishes guidelines for state involvement in transportation to support sustainability while preventing government funding that can distort competition.) Management in the UK has hired legal and financial advisors “to support a process aimed at securing a new owner capable of unlocking DB Cargo UK’s full future potential.”
While Rossi said the company has improved operational performance and financial efficiency, “the benefits of these improvements have been offset by a range of external factors, largely beyond our control, which have increased our already challenging cost base, adversely affected key markets, and contributed to reduced volumes and revenue.
“Despite these challenges, we firmly believe there is a strong future for our business, which has a significant market share, serves a diverse range of customers, has a substantial asset base, and extensive property portfolio.”
The company was originally the English, Welsh & Scottish Railway, established by Wisconsin Central and its CEO Ed Burkhardt in 1995 by bringing together five freight companies sold during the privatization of British Rail. It was purchased by Deutsche Bahn in 2007. According to the DB Cargo UK website, the company provides freight, infrastructure, and charter passenger service in the UK, as well as freight service to and from mainland Europe via the Channel Tunnel. It currently has 2,200 employees and a fleet of 228 diesel and electric locomotives.
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