Royal Mail to cease using trains

[Nym]

I'd say it's a general lack of interest other that the grant money and virtue signalling.

 

[The_Train]

I'd say it's a general lack of interest other that the grant money and virtue signalling.

What the hell has virtue signalling got to do with someone proposing to run a parcel service on a specific route?

 

[Sun Chariot]

What the hell has virtue signalling got to do with someone proposing to run a parcel service on a specific route?

Maybe Virtue Signalling is the next-gen of ETRMS.

 

[Nym]

What the hell has virtue signalling got to do with someone proposing to run a parcel service on a specific route?

More than one company is making parcel trains out of old passenger stock, but none of them seem to be that desperate to actually run any of them in service.

 

[The_Train]

Maybe Virtue Signalling is the next-gen of ETRMS.

More than one company is making parcel trains out of old passenger stock, but none of them seem to be that desperate to actually run any of them in service.

This still doesn't explain what it has to do with so called "virtue signalling"

 

[renegademaster]

This still doesn't explain what it has to do with so called "virtue signalling"

I'm guessing he was suggesting Royal Mail only kept it around so long to look good on ESG (Environmental Social Governance) reports that the institutional investors put quite a lot of importance on , rather than a real commercial case. I don't know if it is true, buts it's credible

 

[Wyrleybart]

More than one company is making parcel trains out of old passenger stock, but none of them seem to be that desperate to actually run any of them in service.

I understand the Varamis operation, and I am assuming Orion has been parked, but do we know who the converted 769/9s (769/5s) are four ? I understand there are two at Doncaster - 769535 ?

 

[Nym]

I understand the Varamis operation, and I am assuming Orion has been parked, but do we know who the converted 769/9s (769/5s) are four ? I understand there are two at Doncaster - 769535 ?

Not sure if that information has been made public.

 

[XCTurbostar]

I understand the Varamis operation, and I am assuming Orion has been parked, but do we know who the converted 769/9s (769/5s) are four ? I understand there are two at Doncaster - 769535 ?

Not sure if that information has been made public.

I don't believe so. What I can say is that it has been reconfigured for parcels though.. make of that what you will.

 

[fgwrich]

Not sure if that information has been made public.

It’s pretty safe to assume Orion is dead. The remaining unconverted 319s are shortly due a trip to Newport. It wouldn’t surprise me, just like the swindle with the 360s, that it was another way to boost their books ahead of the 93 order.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

I understand the Varamis operation, and I am assuming Orion has been parked, but do we know who the converted 769/9s (769/5s) are four ? I understand there are two at Doncaster - 769535 ?

769 535 and 769 549 are the units in question.

Not seen any official news of who will use them.

 

[Trainbike46]

At the time of the announcement, Royal Mail stated that they would continue using rail for transporting parcels and/or mail. The two most obvious ways this could be done were either by contracting with Varamis, or by running container trains/other more conventional freight trains.

Is there any evidence of royal mail still transporting anything by rail, or does it appear as though their statement might have been somewhat economical with the truth?

 

[Skimpot flyer]

A unit at Platform 3 in PRDC has been moved away from the buffers, and is now midway up the platform length.
Either we have a ghost in the building, or it’s in preparation for a move away??

 

[50002Superb]

A unit at Platform 3 in PRDC has been moved away from the buffers, and is now midway up the platform length.
Either we have a ghost in the building, or it’s in preparation for a move away??

Any ideas which one please?

 

[najaB]

Any ideas which one please?

Have there been any murders or unexplained deaths in the building? Anyone threatened to get revenge "in this life or the next"?

 

[Elecman]

Have there been any murders or unexplained deaths in the building? Anyone threatened to get revenge "in this life or the next"?

Are you not amused?

 

[Skimpot flyer]

I’ll keep you posted

It’s 325015

 

[50002Superb]

I’ll keep you posted

It’s 325015

Ok, thanks. It’s 005 that I’m after

 

[DBS92042]

A unit at Platform 3 in PRDC has been moved away from the buffers, and is now midway up the platform length.
Either we have a ghost in the building, or it’s in preparation for a move away??

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:K29137/2025-02-25/detailed
There's that in for Tuesday morning but leaving from around the corner at Wembley Yard. Could be more 321s but it's timed at 95mph and operated by Europhoenix Rail (unlike previous 321 scrap moves from Wembley)?

 

[Class15]

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:K29137/2025-02-25/detailed
There's that in for Tuesday morning but leaving from around the corner at Wembley Yard. Could be more 321s but it's timed at 95mph and operated by Europhoenix Rail (unlike previous 321 scrap moves from Wembley)?

But the 325s are going from Brent Sidings/Railnet Sidings? So they need to get to Wembley first to do that move.

 

[Skimpot flyer]

Would they not be booked as leaving from XRN (the code for PRDC) ?
We have 6 units stabled inside the building.
In 3, 2, 1 formations

 

[Wyrleybart]

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:K29137/2025-02-25/detailed
There's that in for Tuesday morning but leaving from around the corner at Wembley Yard. Could be more 321s but it's timed at 95mph and operated by Europhoenix Rail (unlike previous 321 scrap moves from Wembley)?

Unless they hire in a 47 or 57, I don't think ROG or EPX have anything that can run up to 95mph.

 

[Class15]

Unless they hire in a 47 or 57, I don't think ROG or EPX have anything that can run up to 95mph.

DB’s 66s (which have been used on all 325 moves so far) can’t do anywhere near 95 either.

 

[Skimpot flyer]

Newsflash!
One of the trains parked in PRDC platform one is as we speak having its Royal insignia removed, its paint stripped off, and rumoured to be getting painted grey in the near future.
Apparently all six units currently inside PRDC have been sold. I have no information on the buyer, however.

(I have a photo of 325002 being worked on, but not sure if my employer would be ok with me posting it on here).

 

[D365]

Newsflash!
One of the trains parked in PRDC platform one is as we speak having its Royal insignia removed, its paint stripped off, and rumoured to be getting painted grey in the near future.
Apparently all six units currently inside PRDC have been sold. I have no information on the buyer, however.

(I have a photo of 325002 being worked on, but not sure if my employer would be ok with me posting it on here).

Excellent news. I would agree that you shouldn’t be posting photos from your place of work; I’m sure that photos opportunities will be available for spotters when the next 325 vehicle movements take place.

 

[Skimpot flyer]

Access to the other side of the train, the side parallel to the external wall of the building is going to be nigh-on impossible, given the cramped space.
So some shunting movements are probably going to be required.
I guess the whole train could be sent to Kensal Green turnout, reverse, through Willesden Junction high-level to North Pole Junction, reverse, then via Mitre Bridge, West London and Harlesden Junctions, to arrive back at PRDC the ‘opposite way round’ with the unaltered side now against the platform edge?
Alternatively, take the train in Platform 1 out to the reception sidings, take the train currently sat in Platform 2 out there too, and swap them over

 

[The_Train]

Newsflash!
One of the trains parked in PRDC platform one is as we speak having its Royal insignia removed, its paint stripped off, and rumoured to be getting painted grey in the near future.
Apparently all six units currently inside PRDC have been sold. I have no information on the buyer, however.

(I have a photo of 325002 being worked on, but not sure if my employer would be ok with me posting it on here).

Wow, I never expected any of these units to survive! Interesting that this news comes at a time when I am hearing the 2x 769s currently parked at Leicester are for a parcel service as well. Mail by rail is not quite dead yet it would seem!

 

[Skimpot flyer]

Wow, I never expected any of these units to survive! Interesting that this news comes at a time when I am hearing the 2x 769s currently parked at Leicester are for a parcel service as well. Mail by rail is not quite dead yet it would seem!

325002 as of this afternoon now sports spray-painted grey doors on the carriage nearest the buffers at PRDC, with matching grey vinyl wraparound on the non-door areas… on the platform-facing side, anyway!
Very slick it looks, too

 

[Class15]

325002 as of this afternoon now sports spray-painted grey doors on the carriage nearest the buffers at PRDC, with matching grey vinyl wraparound on the non-door areas… on the platform-facing side, anyway!
Very slick it looks, too

I’m aware you’re not allowed to reveal the buyer or post the photos, but can you confirm that the buyer intends to use the 325s in service?

 

[Skimpot flyer]

I cannot confirm either of those things.
But logic dictates they’d be unlikely to spend this money to then put the units into storage, surely?
Any value as a Rail Museum exhibit is only in their original Royal Mail livery, one would expect?