ROG sends first ‘360/2s’ for scrapping

Projected logistics use to transport parcels between rail-connected town and city centres has not materialised.

RAIL Operations Group (ROG), which bought the five former Heathrow Connect Class 360/2 EMUs in early 2021, has sent two of the units for scrap.

The first to go was No. 360205, which was hauled from Bicester where all five were stored, to Sims, Newport, by No. 37611 on August 23. The unit was less than 17 years old (being delivered in November 2005) and spent around 15 years in service. Classmate No. 360204 made the same journey the next day, hauled by the same loco.

At the time of their purchase from Heathrow Airport Ltd, Rail Operations Group said “ROUK have identified the potential of this well-maintained multiple unit fleet to assist in our transformation of UK rail freight logistics.” However, to date, the firm’s ‘Orion’ high speed freight operation has had limited success and the only work picked up for any of its Class 360s was a filming contract which saw

No. 360201 visit the Dean Forest Railway in December 2021.

Rail Operations Group’s No. 37611 Pegasus hauls No. 360204 through Newport with the 5Q76 10.01 Bicester MOD-Newport Docks (Sims Group) on August 24. Martin Turner