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Royal Mail potentially increasing rail usage

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Royal Mail potentially increasing rail usage 05/02/2021 at 15:32 #137047
postal
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It has been reported today in the International Rail Journal that developers Prologis are to build a 78,000 sq. m. parcel sorting hub for Royal Mail at Daventry International Freight Terminal (DIRFT). This is a short distance from the main Royal Mail road hub in the same estate area and will have a dedicated Rail Terminal. The hub is part of a strategic plan to transition to an international parcel-led business in the future due to the decline in letter mail. With the new Customs requirements since Brexit, Royal Mail will have the capability to receive trains from France then carry out the customs clearance on site rather than facing border delays.

They are already building a smaller 34,000 sq.m. parcel sorting hub in Warrington, a short distance from the Royal Mail Rail Terminal at Dallam.

“In life, there is always someone out there, who won’t like you, for whatever reason, don’t let the insecurities in their lives affect yours.” – Rashida Rowe
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Royal Mail potentially increasing rail usage 05/02/2021 at 22:02 #137051
elltrain3
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As someone who works for RM, it makes sense, and It'll be nice to see Royal Mail get back on the rail scene properly!
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Royal Mail potentially increasing rail usage 06/02/2021 at 00:09 #137053
jc92
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John, any ideas on how this new parcels traffic will be transported? It almost seems logical for it to be container traffic, especially if its going to be coming from ports or through the chunnel.
"We don't stop camborne wednesdays"
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Royal Mail potentially increasing rail usage 06/02/2021 at 10:44 #137056
Splodge
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ROG have converted a couple of 319s into parcel carriers suitable for loading wheeled cages. They might be suitable if they are available?
There's the right way, the wrong way and the railway.
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Royal Mail potentially increasing rail usage 06/02/2021 at 14:08 #137059
mfcooper
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ROG have got some 319s that have been converted in 769s (319's with diesel power - tri-modes). They have ripped out the seats ready for them to carry parcel traffic.
https://orion.railopsgroup.co.uk/

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Royal Mail potentially increasing rail usage 06/02/2021 at 14:55 #137060
postal
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jc92 in post 137053 said:
John, any ideas on how this new parcels traffic will be transported? It almost seems logical for it to be container traffic, especially if its going to be coming from ports or through the chunnel.
No idea but in the modern logistics world it is bound to be containerised in some form. The mail traffic will nearly certainly be in some form of stackable or roll cage but whether those cages are then inside standard shipping containers or rail rolling stock remains to be seen. Probably not standard shipping containers, though as they are end-load and end-unload so the whole train has to be stripped to get at the traffic while rail rolling stock can allow side-load and side-unload along the whole length of the train as soon as the train has berthed.

“In life, there is always someone out there, who won’t like you, for whatever reason, don’t let the insecurities in their lives affect yours.” – Rashida Rowe
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Royal Mail potentially increasing rail usage 06/02/2021 at 18:26 #137063
JamesN
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mfcooper in post 137059 said:
ROG have got some 319s that have been converted in 769s (319's with diesel power - tri-modes). They have ripped out the seats ready for them to carry parcel traffic.
https://orion.railopsgroup.co.uk/
Bi-mode (Diesel and Electric), dual-voltage (750V DC and 25kV AC).

“Tri-mode” is some marketing drivel by the fleets’ promoter that the operators have regurgitated without thought for technical accuracy. Rather fitting for a Rolling Stock upcycling programme that is significantly delayed and over-budget, while not actually meeting the goals originally billed to the operators; lacking particularly in both performance on Diesel and fuel Economy.

But given the existing Cl325 postal units are essentially 319s with a Networker-style GRP cab and conventional drawgear, the basic design is already proven for Mail and Logistics use. With 100mph capability on AC power they’ll be able to blend in almost seamlessly on most mainlines outside of high peak hours.

There are plenty of sites up and down the country that would be ripe for similar development if this concept catches on; and if passenger numbers remain permanently depressed in a post-COVID world it may free up sufficient capacity on the rail network to make such expansion viable.

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Royal Mail potentially increasing rail usage 07/02/2021 at 13:56 #137065
ajax103
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ROG have already stated they need a minimum of 31 Class 769s and if you run all services as 12 cars to maximise the fleet then you're looking at a minimum of 62 Class 319s that's a single Class 769 hauling a pair of Class 319s.

https://www.railmagazine.com/news/network/more-flex-units-for-rog-as-it-expands-logistics-traffic-plans

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