GoExpress - The future of high-speed logistics?

[XCTurbostar]

There have been several Class 93 operated intermodal test runs consisting of FFA-G Wagons such as THIS in the last few weeks.

The Class 93s used have the GoExpress logo on the cabside and are operated by ROG.

GoExpress is transforming UK middle mile transport with a vision for 2026. Following successful proof-of-concept trials on the Mossend–Daventry corridor, supported by the Department for Transport and Connected Places Catapult, we are scaling innovative, tech-enabled, and sustainable middle mile solutions.

In 2026, GoExpress will accelerate high-speed intermodal operations, expand AI-optimised logistics, and deliver resilience, connectivity, and environmental responsibility across the network — reinventing how express ecommerce logistics move throughout the UK.

Go Express — High-speed middle mile logistics

Accelerating the future of high-speed middle mile logistics — low-carbon, on-rail, and AI-orchestrated.

golink-production.up.railway.app

There appears to be paths in the system for various test runs:

30th May - HERE
2nd to 5th June - HERE

 

[Trainguy34]

Sounds reminiscent of Varamis Rail to me, and look how that went!

 

[Rail Quest]

Oh wow, could ROG have finally found some proper work for these locos?

 

[The Planner]

Is this 90mph Intermodal? Been looked at for longer than I can remember. You are going to need a decent run to make decent gains.

 

[Tilting007]

Is this 90mph Intermodal? Been looked at for longer than I can remember. You are going to need a decent run to make decent gains.

Yes, part of the faster freight programme…

 

[XCTurbostar]

Is this 90mph Intermodal? Been looked at for longer than I can remember. You are going to need a decent run to make decent gains.

Yes, I believe so.

 

[edwin_m]

Yes, FFA are container flats so this is moving ISO containers rather than the smaller goods targeted by Varamis.

The potential benefit is if they can reduce the amount of looping on the northern WCML (particularly) to make use of paths that wouldn't otherwise be possible, offer customers a time saving and perhaps also get more journeys out of each train. I suspect the first is the most significant, as the time saving for the customers is probably outweighed by having to drop off and pick up their container and wait for the train's timetabled slot - whereas a truck can start out any time and go straight to destination. Maybe it helps users like supermarkets who can plan their network around it to take some time out of their trunk distribution chain?

 

[Rail Quest]

Their website makes for interesting reading. The moves from Crewe to Garston that ran last Saturday, mentioned in the Class 93 thread, were trials for GoExpress, rather than Freightliner: https://golink-production.up.railway.app/insights/Goexpress-is-go [URL redirects to GoExpress website article about trials to Garston]

I note on a separate article that Freightliner have been named as a collaborator in the trials in addition to ROG, though it's not clear to me if that's just in supplying the wagons or if drivers are involved from them. Would there be any operational benefit/enablement of using Freightliner staff rather than ROG? I'm thinking along the lines of if Freightliner hold certain certifications to haul specific types of cargo (e.g. fuel) that ROG might not.

 

[The Planner]

Yes, FFA are container flats so this is moving ISO containers rather than the smaller goods targeted by Varamis.

The potential benefit is if they can reduce the amount of looping on the northern WCML (particularly) to make use of paths that wouldn't otherwise be possible, offer customers a time saving and perhaps also get more journeys out of each train. I suspect the first is the most significant, as the time saving for the customers is probably outweighed by having to drop off and pick up their container and wait for the train's timetabled slot - whereas a truck can start out any time and go straight to destination. Maybe it helps users like supermarkets who can plan their network around it to take some time out of their trunk distribution chain?

If is doing a lot of heavy lifting there in my opinion!

 

[Russel]

Deja Vu...

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Oh wow, could ROG have finally found some proper work for these locos?

I hope so. It really is embarrassing that new locos get ordered then they don't get used. 99s too.

 

[Wolves]

Is it just 4 and 8 with the Go Express vinyl or are there others?
Thanks

 

[sad1e]

I hope so. It really is embarrassing that new locos get ordered then they don't get used. 99s too.

At least 99s have had a relatively quick introduction and are in revenue service now. Most 93's are still sitting around without revenue earning work over 3 years after delivery to the UK.

 

[zwk500]

The potential benefit is if they can reduce the amount of looping on the northern WCML (particularly) to make use of paths that wouldn't otherwise be possible

I suspect this is the benefit they're targeting most.

Is it known what Classification the 90mph freight will run as? Could be an opportunity to rejig the classes from 4-8 given how little Class 8 traffic there is.

Most 93's are still sitting around without revenue earning work over 3 years after delivery to the UK.

Have Class 93s been given type approval yet, the main Class 93 thread suggests they're working most if not all trains under Q or Z headcodes?

 

[Elecman]

93006 passed me at Shap going north mid morning today on the Tesco Daventry /Coatbridge Tesco liner

 

[XCTurbostar]

I suspect this is the benefit they're targeting most.

Is it known what Classification the 90mph freight will run as? Could be an opportunity to rejig the classes from 4-8 given how little Class 8 traffic there is.


Have Class 93s been given type approval yet, the main Class 93 thread suggests they're working most if not all trains under Q or Z headcodes?

90MPH freight has previously ran as Class 3 headcodes under EWS.

Changing the headcode classes has heavy implications e.g. rule book changes, so this is extremely unlikely

Class 93s have received 110MPH ORR interoperability approval: https://www.orr.gov.uk/sites/defaul...e-speed-increase-authorisation-2025-04-15.pdf