Eversholt Rail has reached agreement with Varamis Rail to lease a Class 321 Swift Express Freight electric train to deliver light goods at high speed across the country.
Varamis will be operating services five nights a week between Birmingham and Scotland for a major parcel carrier.
Varamis said Class 321 Swift Express Freight trains provides all electric traction delivering an environmentally friendly alternative to the HGVs predominantly used in the logistics sector. The ex-passenger trains have been repurposed for freight use with high capacity and 100mph services able to access rail terminals, ports and city centres across the rail network.
Eversholt Rail have committed to converting four further Class 321 Swift Express Freight trains. This work is being carried out by Gemini at Wolverton and is due for completion by the end of 2022. Negotiations continue with multiple operators regarding these trains and leases will be agreed in the coming months.
Paul Sutherland, client services director at Eversholt Rail said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Varamis. We share a vision to decarbonise the transportation of goods, encouraging modal shift from road to rail whilst contributing towards the UK Government’s ambition to decarbonise the rail sector by 2050.”
Varamis Rail managing director, Phil Read, said: “The Team at Varamis are delighted to take delivery of the Class 321 Swift Express. As a new entrant I would like to thank Eversholt Rail in supporting Varamis become the UKs newest and greenest train operator”.
