Rail Operations (UK)

Rail Operations (UK) is the parent company of Rail Operations Group (ROG), Traxion and Orion

Apart from providing strategic direction to the group, Rail Operations (UK) incorporates a Project Management Office (PMO) to deliver support to major projects, both within the group itself and to external customers. Examples of this include:

• ERTMS support to Crossrail.

• Train planning support to Orion.

• Procurement of the UK’s first fleet of trimode class 93 locomotives.

Rail Operations (UK) specialises in train movements relating to rolling stock delivery, testing, maintenance, modification and refurbishment programmes. Train operations include new build deliveries, train testing, fault-free running and mileage accumulation of new rolling stock.

Current fleet support includes fleet maintenance, modification and refurbishment programmes, fleet cascade or transfer programmes, vehicle / fleet testing (e.g. ETCS fitment) and infrastructure-train interface testing.

Rail Operations (UK) also provides storage regimes to support new build, off lease and redundant rolling stock.

General movements

• Passenger (ECS), ad-hoc freight or engineering rolling stock movements.

• Traction and rolling stock movements for private owners / operators.

Rail Operations (UK) also has a fleet of dedicated locomotives which have been modified with electrical brake translation equipment and a range of coupler types to enable direct coupling to, and through automatic brake control of, most UK EMU types. This negates the need to use historic barrier and translator type vehicles.

Rail Operations Group

Delivering innovation and diversification to the UK rail industry the Rail Operations group of companies provides a range of specialist services to the UK rail industry. These services are principally in support of the rolling stock leasing, manufacturing and engineering sectors and involve everything from project management through to the delivery and testing of new train fleets. Rail Operations Group partnered with the Barrow Hill Roundhouse to provide a shuttle service to the 2021 Rail Ale Festival. On 4 August 2021 Rail Operations Group operated Retro Railtours’ first tour since 2019.

Traxion

Traxion is a specialist rolling stock management company delivering services related to rolling stock storage and disposals. Today’s rolling stock storage programmes require suitable storage facilities, within which, a varying range of rolling stock servicing or maintenance regimes are provided. Traxion can tailor to include the following:

• Wheel Bearing Rotations.

• Weekly Inspections.

• Transit of the unit to and from an approved engineering provider for more in-depth inspection.

• Arrange with Rail Operations Group transit to and from originating depot to storage.

• Asset surveys and reports to clients at their request.

Orion

Orion started trading in 2020, delivering high speed logistics services across the UK using re-purposed passenger trains employing bi-mode traction systems. Orion has already ordered the first class 769 ‘Flex’ units which will be used to convey light goods and parcel type commodities. These trains can operate over all UK rail routes and will serve national and regional logistics hubs, terminal, principal and regional stations and deep sea and inland ports.

Rolling stock

On 16 February 2021, Rail Operations (UK) completed a Sale and Purchase Agreement with Heathrow Airport Limited, the parent company of Heathrow Express, to acquire the fleet of five Class 360/2 multiple units, plus spare parts.

On 14 January 2021 Stadler and Rail Operations (UK) signed a framework agreement for the supply of thirty Class 93 tri-mode locomotives. The advanced locomotives will significantly reduce CO2 emissions for both rail freight as well as potential passenger transport services, underscoring Stadler’s green credentials and demonstrating its commitment to decarbonisation. Deliveries are expected to start in early 2023.

Key Personnel

Group President: Karl Watts

Chairman: Neil Bennett

Chief Operating Officer: David Burley

Production Director: Paul Orchard

Contact Information

Address: First Floor, Wyvern House, Railway Terrace, Derby DE1 2RU

Tel: 01332 343295

Email: info@railopsgroup.co.uk Visit: www.railopsgroup.co.uk