Beacon has completed its acquisition of Eversholt Rail, marking an important milestone in its development and strengthening its position as the leading provider of rolling stock leasing services to passenger and freight operators in the UK and European markets. The acquisition was completed after the Competition & Markets Authority found that the merger would not significantly reduce competition.
Beacon and Eversholt Rail are rolling stock leasing and management companies based in the UK.
Eversholt Rail will operate under the Beacon brand, creating expanded capacity, deep expertise, and a shared commitment to providing innovative, customer-focused solutions that advance the rail industry.
“This acquisition represents a major step forward for both our company and the customers we serve. By integrating Eversholt Rail into Beacon, we are building a stronger organization that is better equipped to support the long-term growth of sustainable rail transport in Europe,” said Adam Cunliffe, CEO of Beacon.
This acquisition aims to build a stronger future for the rail sector, generate long-term value for customers, and support the continued development of sustainable and reliable rail transport in Europe.
Eversholt Rail states that “operating within Beacon will mean being part of a stronger pan-European rolling stock leasing platform.”
Eversholt Rail’s passenger rolling stock portfolio includes 18 distinct passenger train fleets, as well as freight locomotives. The passenger fleet consists of 2,627 vehicles, of which 1,890 are electric and 236 are hybrid (bi-mode). All of these vehicles operate exclusively in the UK.
The average age of Eversholt Rail’s rolling stock is approximately 20 years. The newest vehicles were put into passenger service in 2018, 2019, and 2020. These are:
- 36 Class 802 trains manufactured by Hitachi Rail and leased to Great Western Railway;
- 12 Class 397 trains built by CAF and leased to TransPennine Express;
- 43 Class 331 trains, also manufactured by CAF and leased to Northern Trains;
- 58 Class 195 trains built by CAF, also leased to Northern Trains.
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