Fargo’s pioneering TOPS technology continues to prove its value across the logistics industry, enabling GB Railfreight (GBRf) to run seamless intermodal operations.

At the heart of GBRf’s rail Transport Management System, Fargo TOPS plans and manages every intermodal movement. Since partnering in 2005, usage has grown significantly, with the system now processing vast volumes of EDI messages each month. In September 2025 alone, 194,608 EDI messages were processed, spanning a wide range of customers and suppliers. Automating these transactions eliminates hundreds of hours of manual data entry and ensures accurate, real-time communication across the supply chain

Fargo TOPS underpins GBRf’s operations end-to-end, supporting everything from schedule management and precise wagon planning to stevedores loading and unloading trains with accuracy and efficiency.

‘Box to bay’ planning is a crucial requirement of GBRf.

As Jim Slade, Customer Success Director says:

“Fargo TOPS is used throughout this operation – from loading each container to the correct wagon, to planning each specific platform and pin. It also integrates with other third parties in the industry who receive updates and instructions for loading and unloading wagons as per the transport plan stored.”

Notably, ‘box to bay’ plans are also imported into Fargo TOPS, which is key for inland container depot operators. The container depot completes the ‘box to bay’ process, yet GBRf still needs to hold it in Fargo TOPS to pass it to the destination port again via EDI and validate it against their safety loading guidelines.

Intermodal Director of GBRf, Julie Garn, continues:

“For us, Fargo TOPS is the complete TMS. It holds the loading guidelines, validates users creating a ‘box to bay’ consignment, and ensures every movement adheres to the parameters. Respecting the loading guidelines, it then automatically completes the ‘box to bay’ plan and provides instructions to the port of departure and/or final destination via EDI or a API. We utilise EDI with the Felixstowe Dock and Railway Company, as well as CNS for Southampton and London Gateway.

“When a train departs or arrives at a terminal, Fargo TOPS receives and imports the gate move notifications, which are used to update the job in the system. This process immediately highlights any train misses or exceptions. It also enables us to enrich the data stored in Fargo TOPS with information from the depot. For example, we can automatically import the container number into TOPS when a container arrives at a terminal and has not yet been scheduled to a specific train. This then triggers real-time information to be sent out to customers, ensuring their terminal systems are up-to-date too.”

Jim Slade continues:

“GBRf is a critical player in the UK’s logistics sector, and automated communication is key to keeping their business on track and moving. Back in 2005, they were as committed as they are today to achieving business success by using the best logistics software they can, which in this case is Fargo TOPS.”

Julie Garn concludes:

“Here at GBRf, we like to think of ourselves as visionaries. Our investment in Fargo TOPS has not only increased our efficiency but has also revolutionised data exchange and integration across the industry.  We couldn’t have done that without Fargo.”