Angel Trains has started a new wagon leasing business, which will run alongside its established passenger train and freight locomotive leasing businesses in both the UK and in mainland Europe. The business will offer a number of specific freight wagon types for lease in mainland Europe on a variety of lease terms.

Angel Trains has already ordered 800 wagons (plus options) from Tatravagonka in Slovakia, one of Europe’s leading freight wagon manufacturers. Of these 800 wagons, 300 are pocket wagons for transport of semi-trailer, container and swap-bodies and 500 are 80–foot long container wagons.

Angel Trains’ first freight wagon lease has been signed with the German freight logistics forwarder TX Logistics, for 180 pocket wagons. TX Logistics is an existing Angel Trains customer and currently leases seven B185 locomotives in Germany.

John Vale, Corporate Development Director for Angel Trains said: “We have been investigating the wagon leasing market for a number of years and see this as a natural extension of our current services and products. The European wagon leasing market already has a number of lessors but we believe that with over ten years experience of rail leasing on an international scale, Angel Trains can provide added value to our customers and the growth of this market offers us some real opportunities.”

Markus Froehlich, who has worked for Angel Trains for three years is leading the new initiative and has been appointed Senior Manager, Wagon Business Development. He added: “We are delighted to have TX Logistics as launch customer for our new business. Already, a respected and valued customer of Angel Trains, TX Logistics is one of the leaders in its field and we are pleased to have been able to work with them to grow their business”.

Mr Karl M. Mohnsen, CEO, TX Logistik said: “TX and its strategic cooperation with Angel Trains plus the purchase of these modern pocket wagons will ensure further growth opportunities in the European Intermodal Market. After the successful development of different connections on the North-South axis we will gradually increase our capacity to fulfil the needs of large and medium-sized logistics providers who have identified rail freight transport as an important medium to provide growth and quality with a neutral partner in the future.”

Angel Trains is currently in discussions with a number of potential lessees for the remaining wagons which are due to be delivered from August 2008.