Sovereign Trains
Encyclopedia
Sovereign Trains is a Rolling Stock Operating Company
(ROSCO) formed in 2007 as part of the same group as Grand Union. The company was initially formed to fund the purchase of rolling stock for Grand Central for its operations between London
and Sunderland, which Grand Central leases from Sovereign. At present this amounts to six Class 43
power cars and 24 Mark 3
coaches to form three complete trains. However, in 2007, Sovereign entered into a partnership with Chinese
manufacturer CSR Ziyang
to market their new range of trains in Europe, with Grand Central committing to operate the Polaris DEMU, should its track-access agreement be extended. Grand Northern will obtain similar new build rolling stock through Sovereign Trains at the same time should it be given access to operate its services.
In 2010, Sovereign Trains sold its three HST sets to one of the major ROSCOs, Angel Trains
, which then leased the sets back to Grand Central.
Rolling Stock Operating Company
In the United Kingdom, a Rolling Stock Operating Company owns and maintains railway engines and carriages which are leased to Train Operating Companies who actually operate the trains....
(ROSCO) formed in 2007 as part of the same group as Grand Union. The company was initially formed to fund the purchase of rolling stock for Grand Central for its operations between London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and Sunderland, which Grand Central leases from Sovereign. At present this amounts to six Class 43
British Rail Class 43 (HST)
The British Rail Class 43 is the TOPS classification used for the InterCity 125 High Speed Train power cars, built by BREL from 1975 to 1982....
power cars and 24 Mark 3
British Rail Mark 3
British Rail's third design of standard carriage was designated 'Mark 3' , and was developed primarily for the InterCity 125 High Speed Train...
coaches to form three complete trains. However, in 2007, Sovereign entered into a partnership with Chinese
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
manufacturer CSR Ziyang
Nanjing Puzhen Rolling Stock Works
Nanjing Puzhen Rolling Stock Works is a railway rolling stock manufacturer in the People's Republic of China. It is a subsidiary of China South Locomotive and Rolling Stock Industry Corporation....
to market their new range of trains in Europe, with Grand Central committing to operate the Polaris DEMU, should its track-access agreement be extended. Grand Northern will obtain similar new build rolling stock through Sovereign Trains at the same time should it be given access to operate its services.
In 2010, Sovereign Trains sold its three HST sets to one of the major ROSCOs, Angel Trains
Angel Trains
Angel Trains is an English Rolling Stock Operating Company created in 1994 as part of the privatisation of British Rail. It was one of three ROSCOs...
, which then leased the sets back to Grand Central.