GoExpress has published headline results from a four-week high-speed, low-carbon rail logistics trial on the UK’s West Coast Main Line, which the company describes as the UK’s first high-speed middle-mile operation at a sustained maximum speed of 90mph (145km/h).
Using energy-efficient tri-mode locomotives hauling 16m high-cube containers, GoExpress ran 54 special test trains on dedicated high-speed paths provided by Network Rail. The trial was funded by the Department for Transport‘s Freight Innovation Fund and supported by Connected Places Catapult, Network Rail, the Rail Safety and Standards Board, industry experts, academia and parcel operator DPD.
Anglo-Scottish rail transit times were cut from eight hours to four hours 30 minutes, with end-to-end transit between DPD’s hub in Leicestershire and its Glasgow Eurocentral distribution center completed in under seven hours. Of the 54 journeys, 53 arrived on time.
The trial’s energy-efficient technology generated a metered average of more than 1,100 kWh per journey using the train’s momentum – enough, GoExpress said, to power an electric HGV for more than 500 miles.
Metered energy consumption over 270 miles for a 20-container train using overhead electrification showed a 58% reduction compared with an electric HGV. GoExpress said each rail journey using renewable electricity would cut carbon impact by more than 390kg per container versus diesel road transportation, and more than 74kg versus HVO.
GoExpress CEO and founder Adam Parkinson said the trial proves high-speed rail is now a viable commercial option for express logistics operators: “For operators under pressure to take time, cost and carbon out of their networks, our reliable high-speed rail product is now a proven, commercial option which can complement existing eHGV rollout and Scope 3 sustainability targets.”
DPD UK sustainability manager Paul Herring said the trial marked a significant step in proving the concept: “We have been involved in this program from the start, and this is certainly a significant step in terms of proving the concept and gaining real world experience.”
Network Rail group director/system operator Anit Chandarana, said the results open opportunities for the courier, express and parcel sector to compete more effectively with road haulage. Rail currently moves around 9% of UK surface freight by metric ton-kilometers, against a government target of a 75% increase in net metric ton-kilometers by 2050.
The trial received £150,000 (US$200,000) in funding via the Freight Innovation Fund, delivered by Connected Places Catapult, alongside co-funding from RSSB, which said the data gathered will help inform updates to rail standards needed for a wider rollout.
GoExpress is now working toward regular 90mph middle-mile services and is inviting express logistics operators to help shape and secure capacity on the first routes.
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