Europorte 2
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Europorte 2 is a rail freight service operator owned by Eurotunnel, which operates rail freight services between France and the United Kingdom through the Channel Tunnel.
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[edit] Objectives
Europorte 2 is part of the corporate and strategic objective of Eurotunnel to provide open and equitable access to the Channel Tunnel.[1] Before its financial restructuring, although a licence was held to operate Europorte 2, Eurotunnel decided not to operate Europorte 2 as it neither had the financial resources or want to upset its partners EWS or SNCF.[2]
After renewal of its licence by French Minister of Transport Dominique Perben on 13 February 2006, which allows Europorte 2 to operate goods trains throughout Europe, and its own financial restructuring and the new investors requiring additional revenues; Eurotunnel's board approved operations of Europorte 2 to offer a high performance traction service to freight train operators who wish to cross the Channel. Europorte 2 services will provide:
- Short and medium length journeys from Calais (return the same day)
- Collaboration with the existing operators on low or medium density traffic
- Serving port and private infrastructures
[edit] Operations
On 13 June 2007 Europorte 2 signed a strategic partnership agreement to operate rail services on behalf of the Port Autonome de Dunkerque. Europort 2 will also operate trains between the port and the Delta 3 logistics terminal at Dourges, south of Lille. Europorte 2 is also looking for suitable freight terminals in the UK, which would be served in partnership with another operator.[3]
[edit] Traction and rolling stock
The fleet of 46 Class 92 locomotives was built by a consortium of Brush Traction, and ABB Traction which is now part of Bombardier; between 1993 and 1996. The fleet was split evenly between EWS, SNCF and London and Continental Railways for operations through the Channel Tunnel.
The locomotives attached to LCR were for operations of the Nightstar "north of London" sleeper services, but in light of the rise of the low cost airlines like Ryanair and EasyJet, the services were delayed and then fully cancelled. Hence, during 2000 Eurostar (UK) offered their seven members of the class (92020 / 021 / 032 / 040 / 044-046) for sale being surplus to requirements. However, no buyer could be found so they were decommissioned and stored at Crewe International electric depot.
In February 2007 following a tender exercise, the locomotives were purchased by Eurotunnel for £2million, for use by Europorte 2.[4] Five of these locomotives are now being refurbished at Brush's Loughborough facility. Subject to getting safety approval from EPSF, Brush will fit the locomotives with KVB protection equipment to operate in France.
[edit] Current Fleet
- Class 92 Electric - (92020 / 021 / 032 / 040 / 044 / 045 / 046)
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Europorte 2 - retrieved 18 August, 2007
- ^ Select Committee on European Union Parliament.uk.org - retrieved 18 August, 2007
- ^ Eurotunnel Results, 2007 Railway Gazette International - retrieved 18th August, 2007
- ^ Eurotunnel buys five Class 92 locomotives 15/02/2007 - retrieved 18 August, 2007
[edit] External links
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