Eversholt Rail has unveiled a Class 321 EMU converted to transport parcels and light freight, which it has dubbed the ‘Swift Express Freight’ unit.
No 321334 is intended to be a demonstrator for the concept, and is due to go on lease with a Freight Operating Company shortly, with a range of trials to be carried out over the summer. Eversholt is aiming to convert a further four units by the end of 2021, with the potential for a unit fitted with a battery for last-mile operation away from overhead wires to follow in 2023.
Eversholt’s aim is to capitalise on the growth in the light parcels and home delivery market, a trend accelerated by the pandemic. The aim of Swift Express Freight is to reduce the number of van journeys on roads by transferring this traffic to the greener mode of electric rail, with the potential for electric vehicles to be deployed for short journeys from distribution centres and rail hubs to destinations. While rail freight has traditionally performed best over long-distance flows, Eversholt says there has been interest in short-distance urban flows as well, such as into London. Four…
