On Wednesday 13 March, rail logistics company Varamis Rail hosted an event at London Liverpool Street station about high-speed rail logistics into central London and the City. 

The Rail Innovation Group backed the event, which showcased Varamis Rail’s new electric freight service into London, which allows goods to be distributed with no polluting emissions. Air quality is a significant issue in London, with campaigners demanding action to reduce pollution.

Network Rail Chair Peter Hendy opened the event, speaking from the doors of Varamis Rail’s Class 321 Swift Express freight train on Platform 11.

He addressed invited guests from the rail, logistics and retail sectors about the importance of zero emissions logistics and the particular role that rail has in delivering freight into the centres of towns and cities. 

Quicker and More Efficient logistics

Varamis Rail, which was awarded a Freight Operator’s Licence in 2022, claims that its high-speed logistics service into central London offers deliveries that: 

• are quicker and more efficient; 
• are cheaper than current methods; 
• reduces UK businesses’ carbon footprint; 
• support major towns’ and cities’ clean air strategies; 
• offer a sustainable alternative currently not achievable elsewhere. 

Last year, the company launched a zero-carbon freight service between Scotland and the Midlands.

At this week’s event, it promoted its services to rail and logistics industry leaders, including its intercity service for small freight. It explained that rail offers advantages in efficiencies, cost, reliability and sustainability. 

The event also included displays from companies which offer sustainable end-to-end deliveries for the first and last miles, including electric van and e-cargo bikes. Also on show were innovations in refrigerated transportation of small perishable goods. 

Varamis Rail has received funding from the Department for Transport through a ‘First of a Kind’ grant from Innovate UK in September 2022, enabling it to continue developing its rail operations and enticing new customers to use rail to distribute goods.

Varamis Rail continue to promote the sustainable benefits that the UK rail industry has to offer the logistics sector and wider economy. Our showcase event today has given an opportunity to key stakeholders not only from the logistics sector but local government to visualise a more sustainable method of moving high-volume goods into the heart of central London with our fleet of repurposed fully-electric former passenger trains. 

The Transport Sector in the UK remains the largest emitter of co2. If the UK government target of net-zero emissions by 2050 is to be met, then ambitious, carbon-free initiatives like Varamis Rail service offering are not just desirable, they are essential.

Phil Read, MD, Varamis Rail

Today’s gathering shows that the future is bright for rail freight. Partners from across the industry and beyond are coming together to explore new opportunities and accelerate the shift to rail. We are proud to be playing our part in delivering greener and more efficient freight transportation, and to be hosting this showcase at Liverpool Street station, just as we celebrate its 150th birthday. Over the years, the station has been at the forefront of innovation and reinvention, so it is a fitting backdrop for today’s exciting event.

Katie Frost, Route Director, Network Rail Anglia

Cultivating a sustainable future for urban logistics demands innovative solutions, and today’s event underscores the pivotal role of rail freight in reshaping the transport landscape of central London. As we forge ahead, collaboration between rail and logistics industry stakeholders remains paramount in realising the vision of a greener, more efficient urban freight network with rail at the centre.

Maggie Simpson OBE, CEO, Rail Freight Group

Today’s event signals a significant leap forward in our commitment to sustainability and improving air quality in central London. By prioritising rail freight solutions, we’re not only reducing congestion and emissions on our roads but also fostering a cleaner, healthier environment for all Londoners. Through collaborative efforts, we’re paving the way for a greener, more sustainable future where freight transportation plays a pivotal role in preserving our city’s air quality and vitality.

Scott Wilding, Principal Strategy Planner, Transport for London Transport Strategy and Policy (Roads and Freight)

Today’s event shows the indispensable role of companies like ours in revolutionising urban freight logistics, particularly in the critical first and last mile of deliveries in central London. By navigating congested city streets with ease and zero emissions, I’m proud that XeroE’s bikes, cargo bikes, and electric vehicles are not just delivering goods; they’re delivering on our commitment to cleaner air, reduced congestion, and enhanced urban livability. Our partnership with Varamis Rail enables us to make initial bulk deliveries into the centre of cities sustainable. But not only that, it costs less. This means we can provide clean green deliveries at competitive prices and reduce the barriers to businesses that want to make the switch. 

Steve Evans, Founder, XeroE

When we launched our Parcels as Passengers workstream in 2021, we could see that there were many opportunities for rail to support distribution through its well known assets of speed and capacity. We’re incredibly pleased to see the continued success of Varamis Rail making the concept a reality; we welcome the opportunity to support the delivery of the demonstration, and hope it will inspire the industry to work together to identify new routes and distribution flows that can make more efficient use of our rail network and its city-centre access points.

Liam Henderson, Chair, The Rail Innovation Group