Why are EuroPhoenix operating UK trains

[trainmania100]

A few train workings have been of interest lately, showing operator PX (EuroPhoenix).

Previous these have been run as rail operations group.

Does anyone know the plans for EuroPhoenix going forward? So far the workings appear to be moving wagons etc between locations.

Can we expect to see more EuroPhoenix UK workings? Are EuroPhoenix upping their game with UK stuff?

 

[Adrian Barr]

I'd always vaguely associated the Europhoenix 37s with Rail Operations Group without thinking too much about them being different companies.
Europhoenix have seven 37s in their own pool (not sure how many are currently operational) plus six on hire to Rail Operations Group.

I was watching a video of 37800 + 37884 at Sheffield, working a 6E25 ROG wagon move from Crewe to Attercliffe, and noticed that both locos have combined Europhoenix / Rail Operations Group branding.
(Video is titled "Trains at Swinton, Adwick, Sheffield, and Doncaster Station. 13/08/24" by Donny Pete, with the 37s appearing 7 minutes in).

A snippet from a paywalled RAIL magazine article from 1st August (talking about planned retro repaints by Europhoenix) says that "The company has 18 months left on its contract with hiring the type to Rail Operations Group."

If ROG are planning to hand back the 37s to Europhoenix, and focus on their new fleet of class 93s, then perhaps Europhoenix have started looking at using their 37s on their own services, such as the kind of wagon moves you mention. While their website is focused on loco hire, Europhoenix are listed on the ORR website as a non-passenger operator.

An article on ROG in Rail Express (May 2023) says this about the use of the new 93s:

Chatting with Dave it seems unlikely that a ‘93’ will be seen hauling withdrawn rolling stock, instead he would rather have them hauling trains for customers or on hire.
https://www.railexpress.co.uk/13227/the-beginning-of-a-new-dawn-for-rail-operations-group/

If that's the case, it might open up some opportunities for more Europhoenix workings.

One of the recent Europhoenix wagon moves you mention was a 6Z50 North Blyth - Wembley on 21st August with 37407, 37901 and four KFA wagons which went forward to Dollands Moor as 6Z12 the following day.
6Z50 seen on the East Coast main line, complete with EPR headboard: https://www.flickr.com/photos/72334387@N03/53937896524/

 

[TPO]

Europhoenix Rail Ltd is the train operating company. It is a new Freight Operating Company, they received their License and Safety Certificate in April 2024.

Europhoenix Ltd remains a separate company and is still a traction owning/leasing company.

Some of the same people are involved with both companies, but it's nothing like a 100% overlap.

I think it's safe to say you'll see some more EPR workings in future !

TPO

 

[ExRes]

Europhoenix 37901 is currently on hire to RailAdventure and has worked todays 1102 0Z68 Leicester LIP to Wembley HS to meet up with the RA barrier wagons for tomorrows 0647 6Z69 to Three Bridges Depot, it will then go forward to Eastleigh Arlington as 1321 6Q70 hauling 700106, the 37 is then due to work 1140 6Z71 to Dollands Moor on Tuesday with the barriers, 1759 0Z72 to Wembley HS and 2327 0Z73 back to Leicester LIP

 

[warwickshire]

As reported on the Transpennie express class 68 and mk5 thread, elsewhere on here 68026 68027 have also gone to Europhenix on Long term hire as well,

It's possible some staff or drivers might also have transferred over from Rail Operations Group to Europhenix, and are now doing separate things for Europhenix and operating and running fully as Europhenix only, rather than Rail Operations Group ie in competition with them.

Have also heard from very reliable sources who now Rog Staff, that the class 37s will go back to Europhenix, and the 93s will all become Rail Operations Group locomotives for its haulages.