Rail Express Systems

Rail Express Systems (RES) was a sector of British Rail. Sectorisation of British Rail in the 1980s led to creation of the Parcels Sector, which in 1991 was re-branded as Rail Express Systems. This sector was responsible for transport of mail and parcels, including the Travelling Post Office trains, as well as taking over charter operations from InterCity and haulage of the Royal Train. After privatisation in 1995, the business was integrated into English Welsh & Scottish.

Rail Express Systems
State owned
IndustryPackage & mail transport
FateSold
PredecessorParcels sector
SuccessorEnglish, Welsh & Scottish
Founded1982
Defunct1996
Headquarters
United Kingdom 
Area served
United Kingdom
ServicesMail & package delivery, charter trains
ParentBritish Rail

History
Rail Express Systems livery as carried by Propelling Control Vehicle no. 94335 stabled at Plymouth on 29 August 2003

Rail Express Systems was launched at Crewe Diesel TMD in October 1991.[1] For this event, examples of Class 08, 47, 86 and 90 locomotives were painted into a new livery of red, with a grey upper band, and light blue and grey flashes. The light blue and grey flashes represent a set of stylised eagle's wings.[2]

The sector had maintenance depots at Crewe, Bristol Barton Hill, Cambridge and Euston Downside. Rolling stock was also maintained by other sectors at Heaton and Liverpool Edge Hill.

During the existence of the Parcels sector there were many changes in the use of rail to deliver mail and parcels. Smaller services were cut back, and mail services were removed from most passenger stations. These changes were in part through the Railnet scheme initiated in 1996 which created mail hubs at Shieldmuir (Motherwell), Low Fell (Gateshead), Warrington, Doncaster, Bristol Parkway, Tonbridge and Wembley PRDC (London) as well as dedicated platforms at Stafford. RES was responsible for haulage of the Royal Train.[3][4]

As part of the privatisation of British Rail, RES was the first freight company put up for sale, with bids lodged by Freightliner, a management buyout, Serco and a Wisconsin Central led consortium.[5] The latter's bid was successful, the sale taking effect on 9 December 1995 with 164 locomotives and 677 wagons included.[6][7][8] In 1996 the business was integrated into English Welsh & Scottish.[9]

Mid 1990s routes
Travelling Post Office routes
  • London-Glasgow
  • London-Carlisle
  • London-Newcastle
  • London-Dover
  • London-Norwich
  • Penzance-Bristol
  • Plymouth-Newcastle
  • Cardiff-Glasgow
Other mail trains
  • London-Bristol
  • London-Glasgow
  • London-Newcastle
  • London-Norwich
  • London-Plymouth
  • London-Swansea
  • Plymouth-Glasgow
  • Plymouth-Newcastle
  • York-Shrewsbury (ECS worked from Newcastle and reversed into p1 at York)

Parcels Sector rolling stock

The late 1980s and early 1990s saw many changes to the Rail Express Systems fleet, with the cessation of the usage of Class 105s by 1987, Class 114s by 1990, Class 120s by 1987, Class 127s by 1989, Class 128s by 1990, Class 302s by 1996 and Class 308s by 1989.

In the same period, Class 325 EMUs were introduced and the entire parcels and mails fleet (except the Travelling Post Office stock) was refurbished or withdrawn.

ClassImageNumberPower
Class 08Diesel Shunter
Class 31Diesel Locomotive
Class 47
Class 86AC Electric Locomotive
Class 905
Class 1059DMU
Class 11410
Class 12010
Class 12723
Class 1285
Class 3026EMU
Class 3083
Class 32516
Coach TypeImageNumberNotes
NAA - Propelling Control Vehicle24
NBA - Brake Gangwayed (High-security)
NDX - Brake Gangwayed (90 mph)
NEX - Brake Gangwayed (100 mph)
NHA - Brake Gangwayed (110 mph)
NIA - Brake Gangwayed (High-security) (110 mph)
NJX - General Utility Van (90 mph)
NKA - General Utility Van (High-security) (100 mph)
NLX - Newspaper Van
NNX - Courier Vehicle
NPX - General Utility Van (TPO use)
NOA - General Utility Van (100 mph)
NRA - Container Van
NSA - Post Office Sorting Van10+
NTA - Post Office Stowage Van
NUA - Brake Post Office Stowage Van
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References
  1. New BR division hopes for whole train loads Commercial Motor 17 October 1991
  2. Launched with a burning resolve The Railway Magazine issue 1088 December 1991 page 902
  3. Princes charming Rail issue 253 24 May 1995 page 4
  4. Class 47s emerge as Royal Princes The Railway Magazine iaaue 1131 July 1995 page 7
  5. Wisconsin bid favourite for Res Rail issue 267 6 December 1995 page 7
  6. RES sold to North & South Railways Rail Privatisation News issue 20 14 December 195 page 1
  7. Confirmed - Wisconsin Central buys Rail express systems Rail issue 268 20 December 1995 page 9
  8. Royal Mail and Royal Train operator is sold to American railroad The Railway Magazine issue 1138 February 1996 page 6
  9. Wisconsin unveils its new-look livery Rail issue 268 8 May 1996 page 7
  • Rail Magazine Issue 159
  • Motive Power Pocket books pub. Platform 5
  • British Multiple Units Volume 1 and Volume 3
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