Porterbrook Acquires Fleet: West Midlands Trains Assets Consolidated

LONDON, UK – UK rolling stock financier Porterbrook has completed the acquisition of 404 vehicles from Corelink Rail Infrastructure Limited, a joint venture between Infracapital and a DWS Group-managed fund. The fleet, operated by West Midlands Trains (WMT), consists of 324 Class 730 Aventra electric multiple units (EMUs) and 80 Class 196 diesel multiple units (DMUs).

Operational & Technical Details

The newly acquired Class 730 Aventra EMUs are a central component of the deal. Manufactured by Alstom, these electric units entered commercial service in March 2024. They operate on the Walsall-Wolverhampton route and Birmingham’s Cross City line. In their first year, the units carried over 12 million passengers on the Cross City line alone. This deployment resulted in a 19% increase in customer satisfaction on the route. Passenger feedback highlights the carriage space, intelligent air conditioning, and modern amenities. The five-unit electric trains are maintained at the Bletchley depot. Porterbrook previously invested £66 million to upgrade this facility with new stabling tracks, inspection facilities, and overhead lines.

Market Impact Analysis

This transaction solidifies Porterbrook’s long-term strategic partnership with West Midlands Trains, an operator it has worked with for over 15 years. By acquiring a fleet that constitutes a majority of WMT’s operations, Porterbrook gains significant influence over asset management and future fleet strategy on key regional and long-distance routes connecting London, Birmingham, and Liverpool. For the sellers, Infracapital and DWS, the deal marks a successful exit after financing and delivering a modern, energy-efficient fleet into service. The consolidation of ownership under Porterbrook simplifies the asset management landscape for a critical UK rail network, potentially streamlining future upgrades and maintenance programs.

FAQ: Quick Facts