We’re working with our freight and train industry partners to move freight using existing and repurposed passenger trains.
These new methods of moving goods are often faster and more environmentally-friendly than using lorries – giving them the nickname ‘Express Freight’ …
Moving packages inside your trains
We’re working with industry partners to move small packages using regular passenger trains.
These packages are put in empty spaces on the trains and moved as part of normal train services.
Moving packages this way has lots of benefits:
- timetables don’t need to be changed, as no additional trains are required
- your trips are not affected, because the packages don’t take up your space
- it’s often quicker, more eco-friendly and more efficient than road delivery for same-day packages
- it significantly reduces carbon emissions by replacing lots of road and van transport.
Same day express delivery
We’ve teamed up with train operating company East Midlands Railway and freight operator InterCity Rail Freight to deliver packages on the same day they’re ordered.
Packages are collected regionally, loaded onto trains in Leicester and Derby, then transported into Central London using regular passenger trains run by East Midlands Railway. The packages are tracked and monitored throughout this journey.
This service was very important during the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, helping to move over 100,000 COVID-19 tests across the country.
Using converted passenger trains
Converted passenger trains are also running on our network to move even larger amounts of freight.
These trains have their seats, tables, luggage racks and other parts removed to make room for packages.
This is a much greener way of moving freight than using roads.
We’ve supported train operating company Varamis Rail run a zero-carbon freight service like this since last year.
Varamis’s innovative service runs fully electric former passenger trains between Scotland and the Midlands to deliver a range of items. It’s a cleaner, greener way of moving goods around the country.
We’re passionate about supporting the rail freight industry wherever we can. Moving goods on our railway offers lots of environmental, social and economic benefits. Initiatives like this are a vital part of doing that.
