Varamis Rail Given Operators Licence from ORR

[Iron_Duke]

Perchance it is not dead, just sleepeth?

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[Freightmaster]

Perchance it is not dead, just sleepeth?

Looks like it:

Realtime Trains | 1M04 1734 Mossend Down Yard to Birmingham International | 05/08/2025

Real-time train running information for 1M04 1734 departure from Mossend Down Yard to Birmingham International on 05/08/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

MARK

 

[Bill57p9]

Looking at RTT, the stock arrived at Birmingham International at 2219, then left empty as 5Y04 for Willesden PRDC at 2233
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:01747/2025-08-05/detailed

The northbound 1M04 working back from Birmingham International to Mossend was cancelled.

 

[wilbur1985]

Still no activity?

 

[cj_1985]

They did mention they were looking at September for a return of operations

 

[Skimpot flyer]

Light-engine visiting PRDC to look at the ex-RM 325s owned by Varamis today?

Realtime Trains | 0Z25 1136 Acton T.C. to Willesden Prdc | 19/08/2025

Real-time train running information for 0Z25 1136 departure from Acton T.C. to Willesden Prdc on 19/08/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[XCTurbostar]

Anyone have any updates on this? Nothing has ran for some time now.

 

[James Altham]

Got given my P45 today working at Birmingham international depot without any knowledge or working since June. Think the companys finished

 

[John R]

Welcome to the forum and I’m so sorry to hear that, both for you personally, and that the company has not been able to make the business model work.

I hope you manage to find employment elsewhere soon.

 

[Iskra]

Sorry to hear about your situation, thank you however for the update.

 

[Royston Vasey]

Got given my P45 today working at Birmingham international depot without any knowledge or working since June. Think the companys finished

This must be devastating news and we are very sorry to hear, I think we all here wanted it to succeed. I wish you well in finding a home elsewhere in the industry.

But didn't they just get a £1.5 million refinancing two months ago? They had a debt issue and some new directors, one which was from PJT Partners, an investment bank... had they come in to be administrators?

 

[Iron_Duke]

I follow Varamis Rail on LinkedIN and have Phil Read as a connection after meeting him a few years ago. Their social media postings keep hinting at the resumption of services; there were a few comments from their official account last week that services weren't far from starting again. More recently, they've been doing a lot of ED&I work...but to what purpose if they aren't operating isn't clear.

 

[Wyrleybart]

Got given my P45 today working at Birmingham international depot without any knowledge or working since June. Think the companys finished

Sorry to hear that James. I am sure you will find other work in the Rail industry - assuming you want to.

 

[Skimpot flyer]

There were shunting movements of the Varamis-owned former Royal Mail Class 325s recently, between Platforms 1-3 within PRDC at Willesden.
Haven’t seen any activity on the work to apply more of the silver vinyls to those units that don’t yet have it, though…

 

[pdeaves]

silver vinyls to those units that don’t yet have it, though…

Are there any known accessible photos of said 'silver' units, please? They sound like an interesting sight.

 

[Skimpot flyer]

I could post some… but I don’t think my employer would like it, unfortunately

 

[Carlisle]

More recently, they've been doing a lot of ED&I work...but to what purpose if they aren't operating isn't clear.

Whilst admirable in its own right how does ED&I work significantly contribute to restarting a failed rail logistics operation?

 

[pdeaves]

I could post some… but I don’t think my employer would like it, unfortunately

Understood; don't take a risk!

 

[Skimpot flyer]

Update, 17 April 2026:
325014 now sits in Platform 4 at PRDC, halfway along. It seems to have full grey vinyls on both sides and has the unit number in a non-Royal Mail font just below the window, equidistant from the headlights.

 

[Carlisle]

I’ve noticed somebody powering up their 2 x 321s at Carlisle in the last few days

 

[sad1e]

Update, 17 April 2026:
325014 now sits in Platform 4 at PRDC, halfway along. It seems to have full grey vinyls on both sides and has the unit number in a non-Royal Mail font just below the window, equidistant from the headlights.

Seems like a good sign. I wonder if they plan to dispose of more 321's now they have 325's.

 

[Wyrleybart]

Just a thought - do Varamis own or lease their 321s, and if so. might they have got a cheaper deal on the 325s ?

 

[Skimpot flyer]

I believe Phil Read purchased the 321s.
It’s public record that they own the ex-RM 325s

 

[DGH 1]

I believe Phil Read purchased the 321s.
It’s public record that they own the ex-RM 325s

May I ask, Who's Phil Read?

 

[Geeves]

May I ask, Who's Phil Read?

That's the director, driver, control and the rest.

 

[D6130]

That's the director, driver, control and the rest.

Does anyone know whether Karl Watts is still involved?

 

[DGH 1]

That's the director, driver, control and the rest.

I see, thank you.

 

[Wyrleybart]

Does anyone know whether Karl Watts is still involved?

According to Linkd in Karl Watts is MD of Railmotive based at York.

Railmotive Limited is a company registered in the UK (Company No. 14509511), founded and led by Karl Watts, a rail industry professional with experience connected to York. The company, led by a former CEO of the Rail[...], operates in the railway sector.

 

[D6130]

According to Linkd in Karl Watts is MD of Railmotive based at York.

Railmotive Limited is a company registered in the UK (Company No. 14509511), founded and led by Karl Watts, a rail industry professional with experience connected to York. The company, led by a former CEO of the Rail[...], operates in the railway sector.

Thanks. What's left of my memory must have been playing tricks on me again!

 

[Royston Vasey]

I believe Phil Read purchased the 321s.
It’s public record that they own the ex-RM 325s

At this point he's just Britain's most prolific EMU preservationist