More Class 325s go for scrap but Royal Mail is open to selling remaining units

Royal Mail has said some Class 325 units are for sale, after more were sent for scrap. So far, nine of the dual-voltage units have been moved for breaking up.

“Those beyond economical repair are currently being recycled, while others remain available for purchase,” said Royal Mail.

There has been interest in the units from other users, most notably Varamis Rail.

RM spokesman Jordan Bluer told RAIL: “Our trains were 30 years old and had reached the end of their operational lives. The absence of routes to meet our service requirements and a decrease in reliability influenced the decision.”

Bluer said delays last Christmas that affected performance were up ten-fold on 2022, with one delayed train having “seven times the impact on quality than a delayed HGV”, with 40,000 customers receiving late deliveries.

On October 31, DB Cargo 66168

hauled 325003/009/012 from Warrington Arpley to Newport’s Alexandra Dock Junction. Within days, 325003/012 had been broken up.

On November 7, Rail Operations Group 37510 Orion hauled 325006/ 013 from Mossend Yard-Newport Docks.

The Pantograph Motor Vehicles from these units, plus 325007 (which was initially due to make the move, but was left in Scotland) had already been taken by road.

On November 12, DB 66102 moved 325004/008/016 from Crewe IEMD to Newport, leaving just 325001/002/005/011/014/015 at Willesden PRDC.

Royal Mail is disposing of 15 of the remaining fleet of 16 units (325010 was broken up in 2012).

RM said it “continues to use rail where it makes sense for the business and our customers”, but that its move away has been due to a lack of suitable routes.