Fast forward for EWS Parcels services in UK
UK freight train operator EWS is pushing ahead with investment in 125mph rolling stock for new parcels services, writes Roger Hailey.
The decision comes just weeks after leading customer Royal Mail announced a strategic switch from rail to road for its overnight letter trunking.
EWS has purchased 14 former passenger sleeper coaches for an undisclosed sum with the intention of converting them into 125mph vans for ‘new parcels and mail services’.
The train operator, whose three shareholders recently abandoned plans for a stock market placing, said that discussions ‘are well under way with existing and potential express parcels rail customers on the type of van they require’.
This work will contribute to key design factors such as location of loading doors.
DHL UK, through its former Securicor Omega Express subsidiary, at present uses an EWS train five nights a week for parcels trunking out of the Midlands to Scotland.
Philip Mengel, EWS’ chief executive, said: ‘This investment by EWS will provide the rolling stock required in order to run the first ever 125mph rail freight services in Britain.
‘One of the key growth areas for rail freight is high-speed time-critical markets, and EWS is well on the way to providing the high-speed service that parcel operators and ‘just-in-time’ delivery markets demand from rail.’
EWS has already modified its fleet of 30 class 67 locomotives to run at 125mph, giving a London to Edinburgh journey time of less than four hours.
That journey time is far quicker than by truck, says EWS, adding: ‘It would give parcels operators choosing to use the rail option a major time and cost advantage over those who are solely road based.’
New 125 mph parcels services operated by EWS will be planned to operate on the East Coast Main Line, the West Coast Main Line and the Great Western Main Line.
The Strategic Rail Authority’s strategy for the West Coast Main Line will provide regular timetabled Anglo-Scottish services for 125mph freight trains.
– EWS will next week begin rail freight services to and from Forth Ports’ new rail terminal at Grangemouth.
Trains travelling at 75 mph will have a capacity to carry 45 ft high cube (9 ft 6 in) containers along with standard 20 ft, 30 ft and 40 ft maritime boxes.
EWS will be operating daily Monday to Friday services to and from the port. These services will form part of the company’s ‘Enterprise’ services, a nationwide timetabled multi-user network of services capable of taking a customer’s single wagon from origin to destination.
Alan Murray, Forth Ports port manager, said: ‘Forth Ports currently provides customers with excellent road, sea and warehousing transport solutions at the port of Grangemouth. We are delighted to be adding rail freight to our package of services.’
