Varamis Rail
Varamis Rail is a UK rail logistics company operating zero-emission express freight services using 100mph fully electric, repurposed Class 321 trains between Scotland, Birmingham, and London, serving express parcel companies, 3PLs, retailers, and FMCG brands.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2022
- HeadquartersDoncaster, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Varamis Rail does
Varamis Rail is a UK-based rail logistics company, founded in 2019 and headquartered in Doncaster, that operates zero-emission express freight services for B2B customers. The company's core offering is high-speed (100mph) linehaul transport using fully electric, repurposed Class 321 four-car trains leased from Eversholt Rail, operating overnight on weekdays between Scotland (Mossend) and Birmingham International, with a London Liverpool Street service launched in early 2024. The model targets express parcel companies, third-party logistics providers, FMCG retailers, and last-mile delivery operators, providing city-centre rail station access that bypasses road congestion, complemented by partnerships for sustainable last-mile distribution using e-cargo bikes and electric vans.
The underlying technology consists of converted electric multiple-unit rolling stock integrated with Network Rail's national infrastructure, yielding reported performance of 30x CO2e reduction versus long-haul road logistics, 20,000 tons of CO2e saved annually, 6 million road miles displaced per year, and approximately 4-hour journey times between Scotland and Birmingham. Varamis holds RISQS verified status and RSSB and RIA memberships, and has received a 'First of a Kind' grant from Innovate UK alongside startup funding from the Department for Transport.
The commercial model is sales-led B2B with quote-based, multi-year contracts for freight linehaul services; revenue is generated from fees tied to volume and distance for transporting roll cages, pallets, and loose items. The company's GTM combines direct enterprise sales, industry showcase events (notably the March 2024 Liverpool Street launch with Rail Minister Lord Hendy and TfL), PR and earned media coverage, and partnership-driven distribution through channel relationships with last-mile operators such as XeroE. Operations are supported from three UK sites (Doncaster headquarters, Birmingham International, and Bellshill/Mossend), with a small core management team of four executives.
Varamis Rail firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Varamis Rail
- Legal name
- Varamis Ltd
- Website
- https://varamis.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2022
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Varamis Rail is a UK rail logistics company operating zero-emission express freight services using 100mph fully electric, repurposed Class 321 trains between Scotland, Birmingham, and London, serving express parcel companies, 3PLs, retailers, and FMCG brands.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Varamis Rail industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Rail Freight Logistics
- NAICS
- Line-Haul Railroads (482111), Support Activities for Rail Transportation (488210)
- SIC
- Railroads, Line-Haul Operating (4011), Trucking & Courier Services (No Air) (4210)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Expedited Intermodal (Time-Definite Rail/Truck) (TLADANAF)
Keywords
Where Varamis Rail is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Doncaster
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
Varamis Rail business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Rail Freight Linehaul Services: High-speed electric rail logistics services for transporting parcels and freight between UK cities, operating overnight weekday services. Revenue generated from freight transportation fees based on volume and distance.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Custom B2B freight contracts |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
Varamis Rail product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Varamis Rail provides high-speed, zero-emission rail linehaul logistics services using fully electric, repurposed Class 321 Swift Express freight trains running at 100mph between UK cities. The service transports express parcels, FMCG goods, and freight for B2B customers including parcel companies, 3PLs, and retailers, with last-mile delivery partnerships completing the end-to-end supply chain.
Product overview
Varamis Rail operates as a unified high-speed rail logistics platform offering zero-emission express freight services. The core offering consists of electric train-based linehaul logistics using repurposed Class 321 Swift Express freight trains running at 100mph. The company currently operates two main routes: Scotland-to-Birmingham (operational since January 2023) and London Liverpool Street service (launched March 2024). Services support roll cages, pallets, and loose items, with integration partnerships for sustainable last-mile delivery via electric vans and e-cargo bikes. The company positions itself as the UK's first high-speed rail logistics company, providing an end-to-end solution for express parcels, retailers, and third-party logistics providers seeking faster, greener alternatives to road haulage.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- High-Speed Rail Linehaul Logistics Service Express rail freight linehaul service using fully electric, repurposed Class 321 Swift Express trains operating at 100mph with zero emissions. Provides overnight, weekday logistics for express parcels, FMCG goods, pallets, roll cages, and loose items between UK cities, targeting parcel companies, 3PLs, and retailers needing next-day delivery capability.
- Scotland to Birmingham Service Overnight express linehaul route between Mossend (Scotland) and Birmingham International, operating Monday to Friday with approximately 4-hour journey times in each direction. Ideal for express parcel companies and 3PLs transporting volumes for next-day delivery between Scotland and the Midlands, accepting roll cages, pallets, and loose items.
- London Express Service Zero emissions express freight service delivering goods directly into central London at Liverpool Street station, running 5 nights per week. Provides city-centre rail access to bypass road congestion and support urban distribution requirements for retailers, parcel companies, and 3PLs serving the London market.
Quantifiable outcome
- 30x CO2e reduction vs long haul road logistics
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Varamis Rail
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Varamis Rail technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Varamis Rail partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Rail Innovation GroupminorNon-profit organization that supported Varamis Rail showcase event at Liverpool Street station. Launched 'Parcels as Passengers' workstream in 2021 exploring rail's role in sustainable parcel delivery.
- Transport for London (TfL)minorTfL participated in Varamis Rail launch event supporting sustainable urban logistics. Committed to prioritizing rail freight solutions to reduce congestion and emissions in London.
- XeroEcoreSustainable last-mile delivery partner using e-cargo bikes and electric vehicles. Partnership enables bulk deliveries into city centres at competitive prices, complementing Varamis Rail's electric train services.
- Rail Freight GroupminorIndustry association representing rail freight. CEO Maggie Simpson OBE endorsed Varamis Rail as pivotal in reshaping urban freight network with rail at centre.
- Steer ConsultancyminorConsultancy partner involved in the launch of the zero carbon freight service, providing strategic consulting for the operation.
- Network RailcoreNetwork Rail provided operating licenses, contracts, and train paths for Varamis Rail services. Supported startup of operations and provided ongoing operational collaboration for service delivery.
- Eversholt RailcoreEversholt Rail converted Class 321 Swift Express 4-car fully electric trains from passenger service to freight use. Signed agreement to lease these converted units to Varamis Rail for high-speed logistics operations.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Varamis Rail competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- Eversholt Rail: UK rolling stock lessor that owns and leases the Class 321 trains converted for Varamis's service. Comparable not as a competitor but as a critical infrastructure partner/lessor; a peer in the sense that the partnership structure with Eversholt is core to Varamis's operating model and a model that other rail freight startups could emulate.
Direct peers
- XPO Logistics (European surface transport unit now GXO/RXO): Major European contract logistics and 3PL provider serving retailers and FMCG companies with parcel and freight distribution needs. Comparable as a 3PL customer segment for Varamis, providing the exact kind of high-volume, time-sensitive freight volumes that Varamis's rail linehaul service is designed to handle.
- DHL Express: Global express logistics provider with significant UK operations and customers including express parcel shippers and 3PLs. Comparable as a target customer segment for Varamis (express parcel companies), though DHL operates air and road networks while Varamis provides a sustainable rail linehaul alternative for those networks.
Broad incumbents
- GB Railfreight: UK's third-largest rail freight operator, providing intermodal, bulk, and infrastructure services. Comparable as a UK-based rail freight linehaul operator; both target shippers seeking alternatives to road haulage, though GB Railfreight operates at a much larger, more diversified scale.
- DB Cargo UK: The UK's largest rail freight operator, owned by Deutsche Bahn, providing linehaul and intermodal freight services across the UK. Comparable to Varamis as a rail freight linehaul operator, though DB Cargo offers broad, traditional rail freight at lower speeds, whereas Varamis specializes in high-speed electric express freight.
- Direct Rail Services (DRS): UK rail freight operator owned by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, providing intermodal, nuclear flask, and intermodal services. Comparable as a UK rail freight operator with similar safety/regulatory standards and customer profiles, though DRS focuses on specialized and bulk freight rather than high-speed parcel linehaul.
- Colas Rail: UK rail freight and infrastructure services company handling bulk commodities, intermodal, and rail construction. Comparable as a UK rail operator working with major shippers; however, Colas is more focused on aggregates and infrastructure works than Varamis's express parcel linehaul niche.
- Freightliner: Major UK rail freight operator specializing in intermodal container haulage and bulk commodities. Comparable as a UK rail freight linehaul operator serving similar shipper customers, although Freightliner's focus is on intermodal containers and heavy-haul rather than Varamis's express parcel linehaul.
Regional players
- Lineas: Largest private rail freight operator in Europe, based in Belgium, providing freight services across Belgium, the Netherlands, France, and Germany. Comparable as a European rail freight linehaul operator with green logistics ambitions; relevant as a potential model for Varamis's stated UK & Europe expansion ambition.
- TX Logistik: European rail freight operator (Trenitalia subsidiary) running intermodal and conventional freight services primarily in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, and the Netherlands. Comparable as an intermodal rail freight linehaul operator targeting similar 3PL and shipper customers across Europe.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Varamis Rail social profiles
Digital presenceVaramis Rail compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
Varamis Rail financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Varamis Rail leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Varamis Rail funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Varamis Rail M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Varamis Rail
What does Varamis Rail do?
Varamis Rail provides high-speed, zero-emission rail linehaul logistics services using fully electric, repurposed Class 321 Swift Express freight trains running at 100mph between UK cities. The service transports express parcels, FMCG goods, and freight for B2B customers including parcel companies, 3PLs, and retailers, with last-mile delivery partnerships completing the end-to-end supply chain.
Is Varamis Rail a public or private company?
Varamis Rail is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Varamis Rail founded?
Varamis Rail was founded in 2022. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Varamis Rail based?
Varamis Rail is headquartered in Doncaster, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Varamis Rail make money?
One revenue line is on record: rail Freight Linehaul Services.
Who are Varamis Rail's main competitors?
Eversholt Rail is listed as an others. Direct peers are XPO Logistics (European surface transport unit now GXO/RXO) and DHL Express. Broad incumbents are GB Railfreight, DB Cargo UK, Direct Rail Services (DRS), Colas Rail and Freightliner. Regional players are Lineas and TX Logistik.
Does Varamis Rail have an API?
No public API is recorded for Varamis Rail.
What industry is Varamis Rail in?
Varamis Rail's product category is Rail Freight Logistics. Its primary akta.pro industry code is TLADANAF, Expedited Intermodal (Time-Definite Rail/Truck). Its NAICS code is 482111 and its SIC code is 4011.