Orion targets logistics trains using EMUs and bi-modes
Orion High Speed Logistics hopes to be operating three routes by the end of the year.
Managing Director Paul Orchard told RAIL that the tentative plan is for commercial services to begin in July, although that relies upon there being sufficient trains available.
The three routes would likely be West Midlands-Mossend, London Gateway-London Liverpool Street, and West Midlands-South West. Orchard added that plans are for Orion to serve inland terminals as well as other destinations.
“We’ve looked away from the West Coast, Great Western and East Coast Main Lines - we use that as a starting point,” he said.
“There’s a real desire to look at other destinations and other routes, to look at other routes that had to stop when parcels did.” He cited Holyhead as one such example.
Orion is part of the Rail Operations UK Limited business. ROUK Chief Executive Karl Watts told RAIL that logistics was worth around £17 billion at a conservative estimate pre-COVID, and that demand has only increased.
Currently, only four-car 319373 is available. This is being used for demonstrations, but Orchard confirmed there are potential customers committed to requiring four-, eight- or 12-car trains.
He also said there was currently more demand for running longer trains north than south: “We are developing something similar to airlines where you book a seat. If we could get 26 pallets in a ‘769’ driving vehicle then we would - it’s a more ‘turn up and go’-style service.”
He also confirmed there have been enquiries for stops on the WCML, while a service planned for the Midlands-South West could split at Bristol Parkway.
Orion has five Class 319s being converted to Class 769 FLEX bi-mode units, with a further five confirmed. A further eight ‘319s’ are being identified for use as electric multiple units, giving the company a projected fleet of nine EMUs and ten bi-modes.
Orchard explained that a trial will begin in April, running from either
Birch Coppice or Hams Hall to Mossend. This would operate as a four-car train using a ‘769’ running on diesel to Nuneaton and then electric to Scotland.
He said Orion was looking at
end-to-end transit times of five hours, compared with at least eight for road.
He added: “The trial needs just one unit, but using a ‘57’ to drag it sends the wrong message [there had been consideration giving to using the ‘319/3’ for initial trials].
“Our network is based on units becoming available. It’s expected a unit will be delivered every two months and we need some resilience.”
The trains will run at night initially. Asked by RAIL who would be using the service, Orchard replied: “There’s a mixture of companies that had their fingers burned before by rail and have the relative comfort of road. Then there are those who have never used rail.
“We are committed to raising to eight-car trains pretty quickly and there is potential to start more as eight and rise to 12.”
In late 2018, plans to use a ‘769’ between London Gateway and London Liverpool Street for freight were revealed. However, that will now follow the Scottish trial as it is being developed for a ‘hybrid’ service.
Orchard said: “We are working with UPS on this, and with Network Rail and Department for Transport for storage at Liverpool Street, from where UPS then delivers.”