Advenza Freight

History

Advenza Freight was founded in 2001. It obtained a safety case in 2002 and a licence to operate from the Rail Regulator on 16 November 2003.

The company initially sought guarantees from Network Rail on timing and regularity of train paths, but was only able to obtain permission to "spot bid" for free train paths, and so was unable reliably to secure paths for its trains to be able to commence commercially viable operations. Both types of right have restrictive flex provisions for Network Rail and stipulate a maximum turn round time. It then sought guarantees from Network Rail through the Office of Rail Regulation regarding the provision of paths for its trains, in January 2004, it reached agreement with Network Rail, and was to start running containerised palletised freight from London (Barking) to Glasgow.

Advenza was scheduled to commence operating between Barking, Essex (Roadways Limited's sidings) and Deanside Glasgow (John G Russell) in April 2004, using trains of containers which would be trans-shipped from rail to the respective operator depots to tranship pallet load freight. This was using three cycles a week, north bound Monday-Wednesday-Friday, and southbound Tuesday-Thursday-Saturday. However, due to uncertainties with the provision of locomotives and the fact that the supporting systems were not yet in place even though all the drivers had been route-trained, the launch was postponed.

Following negotiations with other train operators to provide rolling stock and traction, refinancing of the company introducing new investors, completion of the IT systems, further training of the drivers, and being able to obtain fixed paths from Network Rail, the "FreightBus" service commenced operations now between Willesden, London and Mossend, Glasgow on 25 October 2004. This was a nightly service in both directions, operating as the UK's only Class 1 freight service at the time, hauled by EWS Class 90 electric locomotives operating up to 110 mph. The north and south bound services were timed to meet at where the train crews would change over. For the three weeks that the service was in operation, only one train was late on arrival.

However the turn up and go pallet service fully backed by an on-line booking system failed to attract sufficient customers and so was closed, and the company put up for sale.

In 2005 Cotswold Rail acquired Advenza primarily for its safety case. In 2006 Advenza gained permission to operate passenger trains on the UK network.

As well as operating locomotives for Cotswold Rail's passenger charters, the company undertook transport of rolling stock, as well as operating several scrap metal trains including workings from Stockton on Tees to Cardiff, and Shipley, and from Hitchin to Sheerness; the company having begun leasing 102t GLW box wagons from VTG in 2008. A fly ash train from West Burton Power Station to Tilbury was operated briefly, starting on 2 June 2009.

The company was wound up on 7 October 2009 after an application by HM Revenue & Customs over unpaid taxes.

Fleet

Advenza operated two Class 47s (47237 and 47375), two Class 57s (57005 and 57006), and four Class 66s (66841 - 66844). The Class 66 locomotives were acquired in the summer of 2009, shortly before the company ceased business, and 66843 is thought to have not have been used in revenue service.Sources:

The company also leased other locomotive types including Class 20s, and operated trains for Cotswold Rail using its passenger train operating licence.

Notes

References

References

1. [http://data.companieshouse.gov.uk/doc/company/04156372 Companies House extract company no 4156372] Advenza Freight Limited
2. [https://web.archive.org/web/20071030014019/http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/upload/pdf/advenza_s17_execsum.pdf Executive Summary] Advenza Freight 15 June 2003
3. (15 March 2004). "First Supplemental Agreement between Network Rail Infrastructure Limited and Advenza Freight Limited relating to the amendment of a track access agreement". [[Office of Rail Regulation]].
4. "Track access decisions library". [[Office of Rail Regulation]].
5. (2 October 2003). "Application from Advenza Freight Limited under Section 17 of the Railways Act 1993". rail-reg.gov.uk.
6. (8 January 2004). "Advenza almost ready to go". via business.highbeam.com.
7. (December 2004). "FreightBus is up and running".
8. (6 May 2006). "Cotswold takes over Advenza". railwaypeople.com.
9. (19 April 2006). "Approval of a Track Access Agreement between Network Rail Infrastructure Limited and Advenza Freight Limited". [[Office of Rail Regulation]].
10. (11 April 2008). "News Desk". Railway Herald.
11. (21 December 2009). "Notable Workings". Railway Herald.
12. "Hitchin Branch". Railway Correspondence and Travel Society.
13. (7 July 2008). "VTG help new entrant enter the UK rail freight market". VTG.
14. (8 June 2009). "Advenza Freight gains new containerised flow". Railway Herald.
15. (21 October 2009). "Gone for scrap: Advenza Freight calls in the receivers".
16. (November 2009). "The taxman calls time on Advenza Freight".
17. (December 2009). "Advenza goes out of business Freight".
18. "Liveries 0- Advenza Freight". class47.co.uk.
19. (7 March 2008). "On the scrap trail!". Railway Herald.
20. "BR Diesel & Electric Locomotive Numbering Data: 60001-70006". wnxx.info.
21. (December 2009). "Advenza Class 66s stored".
22. (June 2017). "Notable Workings". Railway Herald }}{{dead link.
23. (31 March 2006). "Return of Gloucester Horton Road". Railway Herald.