Europorte 2

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.

Objectives

Europorte 2 is part of the corporate and strategic objective of Eurotunnel to provide open and equitable access to the Channel Tunnel. [http://www.eurotunnel.com/ukcP3Main/ukcCorporate/ukcAboutUs/ukcDevelopment/ukpEuroporte2.htm Europorte 2] - "retrieved 18 August, 2007"] 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. [ [http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200405/ldselect/ldeucom/52/4102503.htm Select Committee on European Union] Parliament.uk.org - "retrieved 18 August, 2007"]

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

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. [ [http://www.railwaygazette.com/news_view/article/2007/07/7593/channel_tunnel_freight_deal_follows_crucial_vote.html Eurotunnel Results, 2007] Railway Gazette International - "retrieved 18th August, 2007"]

Traction and rolling stock

A fleet of forty-seven Class 92 locomotives were built by a consortium of Brush Traction, and ABB Traction (now part of Bombardier) between 1993–1996. Initially the fleet was split between Railfreight Distribution (now part of EWS), SNCF French Railways and British Rail European Passenger Services (now Eurostar (U.K.) Ltd. and part of London and Continental Railways) for operations through the Channel Tunnel.

The locomotives attached to London and Continental were for operations of the Nightstar international sleeper services. Introduction of the sleeper services were delayed and then fully cancelled. During 2000, Eurostar (UK) Ltd. offered their seven Class 92 members (92020–21, 32, 40, 44–46) for sale—being surplus to requirements. No immediate buyer could be found, so the locomotives were decommissioned and stored at Crewe International electric depot.

In February 2007, following a tender exercise, the seven locomotives were purchased by Eurotunnel for £2million, for use by Europorte 2. [ [http://www.eurotunnel.com/ukcP3Main/ukcCorporate/ukcMediaCentre/ukcNewsReleases/ukcNews2007/ukcFebruary2007/ukpPr0702DevelopmentForEuroporte2.htm Eurotunnel buys five Class 92 locomotives] 15/02/2007 - "retrieved 18 August, 2007"] Five of the purchased locomotives were designated to be refurbished at Brush Traction's Loughborough facility. Subject to getting safety approval from the French National Office for Railway Safety (EPSF), Brush Traction were to fit the locomotives with the French KVB signalling and protection equipment, to enable operation of the locomotives beyond Calais and into France.

Current Fleet

*Class 92 Electric × 7 (92020–21, 32, 40, 44–46)

ee also

*Rail transport in Great Britain
*History of rail transport in Great Britain
*Euro Cargo Rail

References

External links

* [http://www.eurotunnel.com/ukcP3Main/ukcCorporate/ukcAboutUs/ukcDevelopment/ukpEuroporte2.htm Europorte 2] at Eurotunnel