Orionlogisticsbi-modeClass769unveiled
THEfirst of a fleet of five
Class769 bi-mode units that will be usedby RailOperations
GroupsistercompanyOrion to transportlight goodshas been unveiledand shown to potentialcustomersat
Eastleigh.
Orionwantsto drivethe modal shift from road logistics to rail,especiallyfor goods conveyedon palletsor in roll cages,and seesthe converted, Orionhadplannedto use 100mphmaximumspeed two sets,but earlierin the year Class319asthe vehicle. increasedthe numberof sets
It is an operationideally by three.However,managing suitedto mail order businesses, director KarlWattshassaid wheredemandhasgrown the companyhasbeentalking during the coronavirus to a numberof potential pandemic. customersand could need
Orionisaimingfor aninitial moreClass769conversions. operationof freight shuttles He indicatedthere is scope from the LondonGateway to run circuit-modifiedsetsin terminal in Essexto Liverpool multiple,with Class319sas Streetstation,with three eight- or 12-carformations. return pathseachday.It isalso Companies uchasAmazon lookingat longerdistance haveseveralUKwarehouses work. next to or closeto a rail line
Thetwo driving carshave or intermodalterminal,and beenfitted with modified bogies,eachcontaininga 523hpMANdieselengineat WabtecLoughboroughto supplementthe retained25kV equipment.
Internally,somevehicles havea steelroller ball floor for moving pallets,and there are strapsfor securingroll cages.
Customers
couldbenefitfrom rail.
The units are being provided via Porterbrookw, hich has hadunits modifiedfor usein bi- or tri-mode by GWRand Transportfor Wales.
Coronavirushasdelayed the introductionof the units, but the first is pencilledin for a January2021launch,with a secondunit being addedin March.
ROGisworking on a separateproject usinga modified40ft containerwhich featuresside loading.
Thecontainerswould always remainpart of a train, and not be lifted, loadedand unloaded, similarto curtain-sideHGVs, but with the bonusof a payloadof up to three HGVs.
ROGisworkingwith VTG with a view to providing a wagon capableof 100-110mphwhich would path moreeasilyaround passengetrrains,and create fasterdeliverytimes.
THEnewClass701'Aventra'EMUs Jamesnotedthe set hasno seats for SouthWesternRailway(SWR) andthe conductorshoeshave arespreadingtheir wings aspart coverson them. of on-goingtesting programmes. SWRwasdueto announce Ten-carset No.701002ran a namefor the fleet on from Eastleighto London August24,and expectthe first Waterlooon August12,before setto beapprovedfor passenger makingtwo trips aroundthe uselaterthis year,with the last Hounslowloop andfinally train introducedby the end of returningto Eastleighvia 2021.
Richmondand Staines. SWR'sorderisfor 60 10-and OnAugust18,701005visited 30five-carsets,with five setsat Readinga, first for the class. eitherWimbledonor Eastleighby OurcorrespondenMt artin mid-August.