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Rail Express Systems
Last edited by
railwayadam
• 7 months ago
Rail Express Systems (RES) was a British Rail sector handling mail, parcels, and freight. It operated nationwide rail logistics services before being disbanded during rail privatisation in 1996.
Founded
1982
Status
Historic (ended 1996)
Country
—
Also known as:
RES Livery, RES
Rail Express Systems, commonly known as RES, was a sector of British Rail responsible for transporting mail, parcels, and other time-sensitive freight across the United Kingdom. It was created in the early 1990s as part of British Rail’s sector-based structure, bringing together operations that had previously been handled under parcels and mail services. RES became especially closely associated with Royal Mail traffic, moving large volumes of letters and packages overnight between major sorting offices and distribution centres.
The sector operated a distinctive fleet of locomotives and rolling stock, including Class 47, Class 57, and Class 90 locomotives, often in a recognisable red and grey livery. Its services were designed for speed, reliability, and tight schedules, making rail a practical option for urgent deliveries at a national scale. Dedicated terminals and carefully timed overnight routes allowed RES to play a key role in Britain’s logistics network.
However, the changing economics of rail freight, increased competition from road haulage, and the privatisation of British Rail led to major restructuring. Rail Express Systems went defunct in 1996 during the privatisation process. Its operations and assets were absorbed into successor freight businesses, marking the end of an important chapter in Britain’s railway and postal history.
The sector operated a distinctive fleet of locomotives and rolling stock, including Class 47, Class 57, and Class 90 locomotives, often in a recognisable red and grey livery. Its services were designed for speed, reliability, and tight schedules, making rail a practical option for urgent deliveries at a national scale. Dedicated terminals and carefully timed overnight routes allowed RES to play a key role in Britain’s logistics network.
However, the changing economics of rail freight, increased competition from road haulage, and the privatisation of British Rail led to major restructuring. Rail Express Systems went defunct in 1996 during the privatisation process. Its operations and assets were absorbed into successor freight businesses, marking the end of an important chapter in Britain’s railway and postal history.
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From railway publishersRail Express Systems train videos - page 2
Showing 500 of 1,327 videos.
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Rails in Wales. Feb 2001. Loco hauled. 33,37,47,60,66,67 & HST. Video No.1303.
spompeytransportvideo
BR in the 1990s Acton Railway Yard (West) + GWML (West London) on 29th February 1996
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Railtour. "Spinning Haggis Railtour" 1999. Crossing the Tay and Fourth Bridges
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Rails in 1999. "Northern Venturer" 20302 37612 37610. Crewe to Carlisle. Open window view.
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Rails in England. with 20/37/47/56/60/66/87/90/HST. Preston & Warrington 1999
spompeytransportvideo
BR in the 1990s Nick and Mart Go North West Summer 1994 A Nick Winfield Production
spompeytransportvideo
BR in the 1990s Sutton Park Sutton Coldfield W Midlands Disused on 15th April 1994
spompeytransportvideo
BR in the 1990s Various Short Visited Locations from 1993 Vol 02 July October 1993
Lineside South East (Guaranteed no AI)
Cross Country Trains Remembered, from BR Intercity to Virgin and Arriva CrossCountry
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Tram Trains in Cardiff. Visit Nov. 8th 2023 and inside class 398 City Link 398001
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Derailment at Aberthaw 2003. Coal train jumps points, passing HSTs too.
Lineside South East (Guaranteed no AI)
Return to Dover Town Yard, Folkestone Warren and The Channel Tunnel
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Rails in Wales 20 years ago. Forgotten liveries, top and tail 31/37/66s
Lineside South East (Guaranteed no AI)
The Wherry Lines Revisited, Short Set Class 37, 47 and 68 Plus the Yarmouth Drags
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Rails in Wales 2001.Steam at Treherbert .76079. Line-side at Cardiff- Treherbert. Re-run.
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Rails in Wales. 1999. "Splott Pilot". 37420/519 Thrashing to Machen & Tytherington
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Railtour 1999. "Splott Pilot" Open window views around Cardiff 24 years ago!
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Railways June 2002 including "Glastonbury", Military Moves, Stone at Tondu...
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Rails in Wales 1999. 37416 Thrash through Heart of Wales.Open window view.
Lineside South East (Guaranteed no AI)
A History of Royal Mail and Parcels Trains Plus The Travelling Post Office
swindon_rail enthusiast
GRRf 47749 drags SWR 701034 into Eastleigh Works from Derby and more 29/12/21
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Steam Hauled. Mainline. Swansea-Cardiff .Almost grinding to a halt on the Red Dragon 2001
![37421 & 37219 with a test train to Sizewell, 30th/31st May 2021 [4K]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/QzylKQcqIic/hqdefault.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEmCKgBEF5IWvKriqkDGQgBFQAAiEIYAdgBAeIBCggYEAIYBjgBQAE=&rs=AOn4CLDIgFXhq5xhyaavJNUwTfGKjTDCbw)
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Railtours 1996."Yorkshire Doodle Dandy" 37601/03, 31112/554, 56094, 60007, 58033.
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Railways 1992. 37153/240 to the Kyle of Lochalsh, open window views from Aberdeen.
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Railtour 1999, Spinning Spectre, on board, with 37, 47, 56, 58, 60 and 66
Mike Wilcock. Rails in Wales.
Trains at Magor, Hereford, Bristol, Paignton, Newton Abbot and Exeter in 2002
