Rail industry joins forces to move medical parcels on passenger services

• The healthcare sector is being brought onto the railway, benefiting communities and driving greener travel by taking vehicles off the road. 
• In a rail industry first, TransPennine Express will apply for licensing to move more and different types of parcels in 2026, including using pioneering new technology for safely storing and transporting consignments developed by logistics partner InterCity Railfreight (ICRF), which could enable wider rollout within UK rail.

‘Parcels as Passengers’ has seen freight consignments delivered to a station, taken on board a TransPennine Express passenger train, securely stored on board, collected at a subsequent station stop, and then delivered to its end destination.  

Collaboration between publicly owned train operators, TransPennine Express and Northern, plus Network Rail and ICRF, with support and endorsement from Trade Unions, has unlocked the project.  

The first trial phase of the project moved packages that contained pathology and DNA samples between Middlesborough and Manchester Victoria, and Leeds to Manchester Victoria.  

TransPennine Express is now working through regulatory and safety processes, including applying for licensing, with further support and endorsement from Trade Unions, that will enable the trial to be expanded into a more ambitious second phase in 2026.  

The second trial phase will see more consignments delivered over a longer period, utilising different fleets, different types of conveyance, and more routes. The second trial phase will include using the pioneering new storage method, unlocking the delivery of parcels on TransPennine Express' Class 397 trains, which operate long distance routes between Manchester Airport to Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Chris Jackson, managing director at TransPennine Express said: “We’re proud to be part of this innovative project. After proving the idea works on a small scale, we’re now moving into the next phase to test whether it can become a model that benefits communities and supports rail industry growth. 

“We’ll be working closely with colleagues, trade unions, and partners to make it happen. This initiative will also help drive greener travel by taking vehicles off the road and reducing emissions, something we’re deeply committed to as part of TransPennine Express’s goal to create a more sustainable future for rail.” 

Paul Harwood, freight and customer director at Network Rail said: “We’re passionate about supporting innovative rail freight projects as freight significantly boosts the environmental, social and economic contribution of the railway. 

“Safely making good use of space on passenger services is a great way to move more freight. It’s often faster, more efficient and more eco-friendly for same-day deliveries compared with road transport.” 

To deliver the successful trial, TransPennine Express has worked closely with their station teams, fleet teams, and safety and control teams. Collaboration between publicly owned train operators and their staff has been critical, with the trial phase seeing packages delivered by TransPennine Express trains and transiting through stations managed by Northern such as Manchester Victoria.