News

The industry came together last night and showed its generous side for Eversholt Rail’s annual quiz in aid of its charity partner, BackUp. Hosted once again by Linklaters LLP, Eversholt Rail staff were joined by colleagues from Frazer Nash, Clemtech, Siemens, LNER, Porterbrook, Arriva Rail Services, Rail Operations Group, Alstom, KBRS, Angel Trains, Stadler, Microsoft, DB ESG, Greenberg Traurig, GTR, AtkinsRealis and First Rail.

Steamology, a green technology start-up company in West Dean, Hampshire, has secured its first commercial contract with Arup and Eversholt Rail to support the evaluation of green steam to eliminate all freight train emissions.

On 24th April we hosted our first Primary Engineer celebration event in Huddersfield which was the culmination of the ‘Primary Engineer Rail Programme’. The programme gave pupils from eight Huddersfield-based schools the opportunity for pupils to build and test their own trains

• Eversholt Rail funding three brand-new Revolution Very Light Rail vehicles for passenger trials and ongoing operation. • Manufactured in the UK by Transport Design International. • Battery-only propulsion, providing zero-emissions operation.

Eversholt Rail recently held our annual quiz in aid of our partner charity, Back Up.

On Sunday 8 October, a team of 8 Eversholt Rail staff took part in the Royal Parks Half Marathon to raise funds for our nominated charity Back Up.  The team has raised over £4,200 which is an amazing amount, we want to thank everyone who made a donation. 

Eversholt Rail is delighted to announce its partnership with Primary Engineer which will bring engineering into the classrooms of Huddersfield-based schools.

The first of 29 refurbished high-speed trains on Southeastern’s flagship route between London St Pancras and Kent has re-entered service – heralding a £27 million upgrade for Britain’s fastest passenger trains as part of the train operator’s commitment to deliver a better, more reliable, and more sustainable service.

The National Railway Museum’s largest new gallery in more than a decade has opened to the public today after five years in development. Named Wonderlab: The Bramall Gallery, it features 18 new interactive exhibits based on a rail and engineering theme.

Eversholt Rail and Transport Design International are delighted to announce that Revolution Very Light Rail (RVLR) was named the winner in the Innovation category at the RIA RISE Awards 2023.

Eversholt Rail are delighted to announce that they are sponsoring the National Railway Museum’s Wonderlab: The Bramall Gallery for the next five years. Opening summer 2023, Wonderlab: The Bramall Gallery will ignite curiosity in engineering and rail through hands-on learning, including exhibits, art installations and live experiments facilitated by the museum’s explainer team. The new interactive gallery will be the museum’s most significant new family offer since opening in 1975.

Eversholt Rail is delighted to announce that they have donated a Class 91 locomotive to the Scottish Railway Preservation Society for display at the Museum of Scottish Railways.

Eversholt Rail has awarded Alstom a £12 million contract to carry out mileage-based overhauls on our Class 334 fleet. This work is due to commence in January 2024 at Alstom’s Polmadie Depot.

Eversholt Rail is again supporting Back Up in its Christmas Appeal this year and we have pledged to match £10,000 of donations made during the Big Give week which runs from now up until midday on 6th December. We invite you to make a Christmas donation to Back Up, as your amazing generosity will have double the impact.

Eversholt Rail, Southeastern and Hitachi Rail are delighted to announce they have signed an agreement to upgrade the Class 395 Javelin trains that provide high speed services between London St Pancras and Kent.

Eversholt Rail has reached agreement with Varamis Rail to lease a Class 321 Swift Express Freight train to deliver light goods at high speed across the UK. Varamis will be running services 5 nights a week from Birmingham to Scotland for a major parcel carrier.

Eversholt Rail and Vivarail have signed an agreement aimed at developing battery power – and range extension – to the Class 321 ‘Renatus’ fleet.

Eversholt Rail are showcasing both the Swift Express Freight Demonstrator train and the Revolution Very Light Rail Demonstrator (in partnership with TDI) at Rail Live on 22nd and 23rd June.

Transport Design International, supported by Eversholt Rail, has won recognition for using its local supply chain to create critical transport connectivity and invigorating the regions levelling-up programme with the Revolution Very Light Rail vehicle.

The Fire Service College is delighted to announce the arrival of three replacement train carriages, supplied in collaboration with Eversholt Rail. The project was delivered over a two month period, which resulted in a number of older carriages being replaced with Mk4 rail carriages, kindly donated to The Fire Service College by Eversholt Rail.

As a leading owner of UK railway rolling stock, Eversholt Rail has a proud history of innovation and maintaining sustainable business practices. Today, we are proud to announce the publication of our first stand-alone sustainability report.

A Class 365 electric multiple unit with strong connections to Her Majesty The Queen has been granted a place in preservation by its former owner Eversholt Rail. Unit No. 365524 – considered to be in the best condition of the original fleet of 41 trains – is destined for the East Kent Railway in mid-January. The initiative came from transport consultant and investor Howard Johnston, and the unit is intended for static display and become a restaurant, exhibition area, and major events venue.

With Christmas fast approaching, we wanted to share some exciting news with our network and stakeholders. Eversholt Rail is excited to announce that we are continuing to support Back Up in its Christmas Appeal this year and we have pledged to match £10,000 of donations made during the Big Give week which runs from now up until midday on 7th December.

Eversholt Rail and Gemini Rail Services (Gemini) are delighted to announce an initial programme to convert four Class 321 units for Swift Express Freight. Conversion work will commence during November with unit delivery expected from February 2022.

Hitachi Rail and Eversholt Rail are in the advanced stages of designing and engineering an electric-diesel-battery (tri-mode) train, with plans to trial on a Great Western Railway (GWR) Class 802 train in 2022.

Alstom, Britain’s leading train manufacturer and maintenance provider, and Eversholt Rail, leading British train owner and financier, have today announced a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at delivering the UK’s first ever brand-new hydrogen train fleet

Eversholt Rail and Transport Design International are delighted to announce the launch of the Revolution Very Light Rail (RVLR) Demonstrator vehicle at Ironbridge today

Eversholt Rail and Transport Design International are excited to announce that the Revolution Very Light Rail (RVLR) Demonstrator vehicle moves to its new home, in Ironbridge, today.

Eversholt Rail today announces that it has placed a contract valued at up to £10m with LSER to carry out modifications to its fleet of 112 Class 375 electric trains. The programme of works will commence in August 2021 with design work. The first unit upgrade will take place in December 2021 at one of LSER’s Depots. The programme is expected to complete in Q4 2024.

The Revolution VLR Consortium is delighted to announce that the build and integration of the Revolution VLR Demonstrator vehicle is now complete. The project has involved 7 consortium companies working in partnership and bringing a wide range of expertise to create a first-of-a-kind Demonstrator vehicle to support improved services on branch lines, the reopening of disused railway lines, and network extensions.

Fuelling the green future of British railways H2 Green, the hydrogen network operator, has entered into an agreement with leading railway rolling stock owner Eversholt Rail to develop hydrogen supply solutions for the UK railway. H2 Green and Eversholt Rail will work together to determine the production and refuelling infrastructure required to support wide-scale deployment of hydrogen-powered rolling stock fleets. The focus is on providing low-cost and reliable green hydrogen, produced by electrolysis of water using renewable energy sources.

Eversholt Rail has today unveiled the Class 321 Swift Express Freight train. The conversion began in early 2021, with Eversholt Rail, supported by Ricardo and Wabtec, carrying out the works at Wabtec’s Doncaster facility. The programme to convert the classic Class 321 into an express freight train has now been successfully completed and the train is service-ready. The Class 321 Swift Express Freight trains will provide a cost-effective and low carbon solution for transporting parcels around the UK.

Eversholt Rail have awarded Brodie Engineering a multimillion-pound contract to perform a time-based overhaul on our fleet of Class 318 Electric Multiple Units. This contract is due to commence in November 2021 and will be a direct follow on from the highly successful Class 320 Time Based Overhaul Extra programme currently being undertaken at Brodie Engineering’s Bonnyton Works.

An innovative new Express Freight train which will provide a cost-effective and low carbon solution for transporting parcels around the UK is being developed by Eversholt Rail. The Swift Express Freight has been designed in partnership with Ricardo and will be a conversion of one of our Class 321 trains, unit 321334.

The time-based overhaul (TBOX) of Eversholt Rail’s Class 320 fleet continues to run to time, with 50% of our fleet completed. This programme of work, which commenced in January 2020 and is expected to complete in November 2021, has significantly increased the fleet reliability

In a UK-first, Hitachi Rail and Eversholt Rail have signed an exclusive agreement aimed at bringing battery power – and fuel savings of more than 20% – to the modern Great Western Railway Intercity Express Trains that carry passengers between Penzance and London.

The Revolution Very Light Rail (RVLR) vehicle programme has entered a new phase

Eversholt Rail today announces that it has placed a contract for £12.4m with Alstom Transport UK Limited to carry out a mileage-based overhaul of its fleet of 40 Class 334 electric trains.

Eversholt Rail are proud to announce that we have signed up to the joint ‘Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Charter’ which was launched by The Railway Industry Association and Women in Rail.

ScotRail have begun to refurbish our fleet of Class 380 electric trains ahead of their 10-year anniversary later in the year. Key elements of the ‘makeover’ include the installation of new flooring, new seat upholstery including prominent priority seating, a paint refresh, and general repairs to tables, bins and handrails.

We are delighted to announce that we have extended the lease of seven of our high-speed, inter-city IC225 trains to London North Eastern Railway (LNER). The lease runs up to summer 2023 with a possible extension to summer 2024.

We are delighted to announce that Tim Durham will be joining us as a Business Development Director.

Eversholt Rail and Alstom today announce a bold plan to fast-track the hydrogen train industry in the UK with a further £1 million (over €1 million) investment in British hydrogen trains, creating an entirely new class of train, the first-ever 600 series.

Eversholt Rail are proud to support Great Western Railway (GWR) who unveiled a special livery thanking key workers for their incredible efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, inspired by the company’s design a train competition.

On 31st March we accepted our final Class 397 train from CAF.

Brodie Engineering have completed the second Class 320 TBOX service at their Kilmarnock depot. The second unit came out of works on time in line with the programme, on 20th April.

Eversholt Rail and Grand Central have signed a lease for four sets of Mk4 coaches until December 2026 to run on Grand Central’s new North West to London route which is being launched this year.

Eversholt Rail is proud to be a member of the Revolution VLR industry consortium that is developing an innovative Very Light Rail (VLR) vehicle for the UK market.

Eversholt Rail announces a new Leadership Team which came into effect on 1st January 2020.

Eversholt Rail joined Arriva Rail North, known as Northern, at their special preview services for invited guests and media representatives

Runners at Eversholt Rail are taking to the streets during 2019 running marathons and half marathons to raise funds for our nominated charity, Back Up.

Alstom and Eversholt Rail have unveiled the design of new hydrogen train for the UK market. The train, codenamed ‘Breeze’, will be a conversion of existing Class 321 trains, reengineering some of the UK’s most reliable rolling stock, to create a clean train for the modern age. These trains could run across the UK as early as 2022, emitting only water and no harmful emissions at all.

Our new Class 195 trains for Northern Rail have started UK track testing in the North West.

Our first new Class 195 train has arrived into the UK.

ScotRail has secured an extra ten electric trains to boost the number of seats available for customers on the Edinburgh-Glasgow via Falkirk High route.

Alstom today confirms plans to bring its world leading hydrogen technology to trains in the UK. This is the first substantive industry response to the Government's challenge to remove diesel rolling stock by 2040.

Eversholt Rail, one of the UK’s leading rolling stock owners, has today announced that it has joined the industry consortium that will develop, manufacture and market the Revolution VLR (very light rail) vehicle.

Refurbished coaches will provide extra seats on busiest services

Eversholt Rail is pleased to announce that all 133 of its trains in Scotland now meet accessibility standards for passengers with disabilities and passengers with reduced mobility, two years before the legal deadline to comply.

Eversholt Rail and TransPennine Express (TPE) have shared an exclusive image of the first carriage from the second fleet of its brand new trains.

Today in partnership with TransPennine Express (TPE) we have launched our first refurbished Class 185 train, this is part of an overhaul of the entire TPE fleet for its customers across the North. 

Eversholt Rail and Back Up were announced as the winners of the "Best Scheme to Encourage Staff Fundraising” category at the Better Society Awards Gala held on 11th May.

Eversholt Rail have signed a contract with Knorr-Bremse RailServices (KBRS) for an upgrade of 22 Class 320 trains, demonstrating their commitment to continued investment into ScotRail fleets and securing Scottish engineering jobs.

This project is a culmination of several years’ work, beginning with the Class 321 Demonstrator project in 2013, with all three companies working in partnership to create a train that meets modern standards of passenger convenience and comfort.

In November 2016, Eversholt Rail hosted a drinks reception at The Steel Yard in Canon Street.  

Eversholt Rail were announced as the winners of Britain’s Healthiest Employer in the small company category at the Britain’s Healthiest Workplace awards held on 14th September. Moreover, Eversholt Rail was named one of the top three healthiest workplaces in Britain in the same category.

Great Western Railway (GWR) has confirmed it will order an additional seven bi-mode Intercity Express Trains as part of a new multi-million pound deal with Hitachi Rail Europe and its finance partner Eversholt Rail Group.

Eversholt Rail has appointed Andrea Wesson as Chief Financial Officer, effective 20th July 2016. In this role, she will have responsibility for all aspects of Commercial and Corporate Finance, Tax, Legal, Risk and Information Technology.

Eversholt Rail announces that it has signed contracts with Arriva Rail North Limited and Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF, S.A) to procure and finance 281 new vehicles worth £490 million for the new Northern rail franchise.

Eversholt Rail has placed a contract with Alstom’s signalling business SSL to fit the European Train Control System (ETCS) to its Class 365 fleet. 

Congratulations to the two Eversholt Rail teams who took part in the Royal Parks Half Marathon this Sunday – raising over £8,400 for the Back Up Trust.

In keeping with Eversholt Rail’s ongoing commitment to deliver contemporary and high performing fleets to its customers, the new-look Class 321 "Renatus” fleet, which is being delivered by Wabtec Rail, will provide a step change in passenger environment, maintainability and cost effectiveness. 

Eversholt Rail today signed a contract with First Great Western to procure and finance 173 new AT300 vehicles worth £361 million.

Since July 2014 Eversholt Rail and Wabtec have been working in partnership to bring a high quality refurbished passenger train fleet to market. The Class 321 Renatus will deliver exceptional customer service, maintainability and cost effectiveness and create the look and feel of a new train environment for passengers.

CK Investments S.A R.L., a company jointly owned by Cheung Kong Infrastructure Holdings Limited and Cheung Kong (Holdings) Limited, (together, "CKI”) has completed its acquisition of Eversholt Rail Group ("Eversholt Rail”), one of the three leading rail rolling stock companies in the UK, following clearance from the European Commission under the EU Merger Regulation. The transaction was announced on 20 January 2015.

The rail industry has come together to publish the third annual update of its Long Term Passenger Rolling Stock Strategy for the Rail Industry.

The fleet consists of 920 wagons and 63 load units. The vehicles range from container flats and autoballasters to coal and aggregate hoppers and box wagons.

Eversholt Investment Group S.C.S., a consortium comprising 3i Infrastructure plc, Morgan Stanley Infrastructure Partners and STAR Capital Partners announces it has agreed to sell 100% of Eversholt Rail Group (Eversholt Rail) to CK Investments S.A R.L., a company jointly owned by Cheung Kong Infrastructure Holdings Limited and Cheung Kong (Holdings) Limited, (together, "CKI”).

Eversholt Rail is pleased to announce the appointment of David Stickland as Chief Financial Officer. David will join the business on 10th November. As Chief Financial Officer David will have responsibility for all aspects of Commercial and Corporate Finance, Tax, Risk and Information Technology.

Eversholt Rail has awarded Alstom a two year contract worth £36.1 million to improve the passenger environment and reliability of the 40 First ScotRail Class 334 trains that run between Airdrie and Bathgate.

Keith Ludeman has been appointed Non-Executive Chairman of Eversholt Rail and will be joining the Board on 22nd July, taking over the role from Graham Love who has been Chairman for the past three years.

On Friday 25th April, 14 brave Eversholt Rail employees and a support crew started a 200 mile charity cycle challenge from Wabtec Rail in Doncaster, who sent them off in style and also made a very generous donation to the causes. The cycle ride was to take them through at least 7 counties in 2 ½ days.

Eversholt Rail, in partnership with Abellio Greater Anglia and Wabtec, today launches the Class 321 Demonstrator at Liverpool Street Station. The train has undergone a high–specification refurbishment and technology upgrades.

Eversholt Rail has awarded Bombardier Transportation a two–year contract worth in excess of £30 million to undertake the enhancement and heavy maintenance of its fleet of Class 365 trains which are leased to First Capital Connect (FCC).

Eversholt Rail Group today announces the successful completion of its new £600m senior debt financing, which provides additional funding capacity for investment in rolling stock and allows prepayment of existing bank facilities.

Eversholt Rail today announced the completion of the upgrade to its Class 320 fleet and the start of a refurbishment and upgrade project to their Class 318 fleet, demonstrating continued investment in the ScotRail fleets.

First Capital Connect’s fleet of Class 365 trains is to be transformed with fresh interiors and enhanced accessibility features as part of a £31m investment which will also include heavy maintenance to ensure their continued reliability.

Eversholt Rail today announced that it has entered into a long–term agreement to provide project and asset management services to Cross London Trains, the consortium providing the new fleet of Siemens Desiro City Class 700 trains to be operated on the Thameslink routes.

Eversholt Rail, in partnership with Greater Anglia, will be running a fully refurbished Class 321 Demonstrator unit on part of the Greater Anglia mainline route in 2013. The Demonstrator will showcase how high–specification refurbishment to the existing fleet of Class 321 EMUs can compare favourably with the passenger experience and performance of new trains, at a fraction of the cost. It will operate in normal service for a year.

Eversholt Rail is pleased to announce the appointment of Andy Course as Chief Operating Officer. He will join the business on 3rd June and have full responsibility for engineering, asset management and projects, and procurement for Eversholt Rail.

The first of Greater Anglia’s Class 315 train fleet to be fitted with an automated Passenger Information System have returned to service.

A report published today by the rail industry marks a key step towards a market–led approach for delivering rolling stock which meets passengers’ needs over the next 30 years.

Eversholt Rail, one of Britain’s leading rolling stock companies, this week unveils the new travel experience that East Coast Mainline passengers could enjoy when the franchise is re–let on a long–term basis.

In 2013, Eversholt Rail will be unveiling a refurbished and upgraded carriage for the Greater Anglia franchise competition. A four car class 321 demonstrator is currently being refurbished, the link below takes you to a video that showcases the range of interior improvements that the demonstrator will have when it goes into service on the Greater Anglia network.

Eversholt Rail has awarded Railcare a £13 million contract to undertake the C6X overhaul of the Class 365 Networker trains currently in service on First Capital Connect.

On Friday 23rd November, Eversholt Rail Group will complete the prototype installation of a Duplex Pantograph on a Class 91 locomotive. The installation project is a joint initiative between Eversholt Rail, East Coast, Brecknell–Willis, ESG and Wabtec Rail.

Eversholt Rail Group has begun looking at a traction system upgrade for its fleet of Class 321 and 322 electrical multiple units and has awarded the contract for a feasibility study to Birmingham–based Vossloh Kiepe UK.

Today, Monday 21st May 2012, Eversholt Rail Group successfully completed a programme of £45m investment lasting two years on its Class 465 Fleet Half Life Repair Programme.