Passenger electric trains will be converted into rail freight trains in the UK

The British leasing company Eversholt Rail has announced that it is ready to lease the first electric train to operators in July 2021, converted for freight under the brand name Swift Express Freight.

This is a four-car train of the 321 series, which was modified by Wabtec Rail on its production site in Doncaster, mainly by removing the seats, adding new flooring and standard fixing elements. The changes were intended to make it possible to fit the maximum number of parcels and small parcels.

The results of the tests of the electric train under the brand Swift Express Freight with the participation of one of the British freight operators were recognized as positive.

Eversholt Rail plans to similarly upgrade four more 321 Series electric trains by the end of 2021 so that they can be used in the pre-Christmas period, when demand for small consignments has traditionally increased in rail transport.

Trains under the Swift Express Freight brand are planned to be used in the network of highways. The load capacity of the electric train with four cars will be 38,550 kg. However, they expect to work formed by 8 and 12 cars.