In the 1980s, Freighliner became part of BR's 1980s non-bulk Railfreight Distribution (RfD) division, which brought about its first ever allocation of locomotives. After experimenting with other rail operators solutions to coping with the new larger containers, in 1990 BR agreed the order of 700 flat-wagons from SNCF supplier Arbel Fauvet Rail, which could immediately accommodate 8 ft 6inch height containers at 75 mph speeds. This was further supplemented in 1991 with leased flat-wagons from Tiphook. Further experimentation with SNCF-leased Multifret flat-wagons - which could accommodate 9 ft containers at speeds of up to 90 mph - led to the initial ordering of 45 BR specified Lowliner wagons, which with a deck height of just 720mm could accommodate 9 ft high containers, on routes approved for 8 ft 6inch containers using the existing wagon fleet.