UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice RDF

Network Rail's existing fleet of Rail Delivery Trains (RDTs) and Long-Welded Rail Trains (LWRTs) is approaching the point at which replacement options must be considered.

Network Rail currently anticipates a future requirement for:

• A fleet of approximately 8-11 trains.

• A locomotive-hauled solution capable of both rail delivery and rail recovery activities.

• A solution capable of carrying a minimum of 24 rails per train.

• Remote operation of rail handling equipment to minimise manual intervention and improve operational safety.

Engagement undertaken with the market to date has identified several opportunities for consideration as part of the sourcing strategy and technical requirements, including separate procurement of wagons and material handling equipment (MHE), and the development of a modular design making use of intermodal wagons. Network Rail requires market feedback to determine whether these opportunities should be established as requirements within the sourcing activity.

Market feedback is therefore sought to help Network Rail understand the implications of adopting these requirements, including:

• Impact on market appetite

• Impact on design and delivery risks and timescales