Rail Operations Group

Rail Operations Group (ROG) specialises in ad-hoc movement of rolling stock for rolling stock operating companies and train operating companies as well as locomotive spot hire services and the operation of charter trains. Founded by Karl Watts, it commenced operating in November 2015.

History
After the company was granted an operating licence by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) in March 2015, Rail Operations Group commenced operating rolling stock movements with a locomotive leased from Europhoenix in November 2015. It was joined by a second from the same source in July 2016.

Previously, locomotives were hired from UK Rail Leasing, with another leased from the Class 56 Preservation Group to perform rolling stock haulage.

Between 2016 and 2017, Rail Operations Group purchased five locomotives from Riviera Trains    and one from Direct Rail Services.

In July 2016, ROG was granted a charter operator licence by the ORR. A month later, ROG commenced a five-year contract to move rolling stock for Angel Trains.

In 2017, ROG began to move second generation multiple units without having to use a barrier vehicle, courtesy by fitting some of its locomotives with Dellner couplers to haul multiple units built after 2001 and using a tightlock coupling device developed by UK Rail Leasing.

Rail Operations Group operated its first scheduled passenger services in August 2017, when it operated services from London Marylebone to Birmingham Moor Street under contract to Chiltern Railways. ROG has also leased Class 50 locomotives for snow clearing and to assist other train operating companies in route learning for diversions.

In 2018, Rail Operations Group confirmed a long term lease for two s owned by Direct Rail Services, and also announced that ten Class 93s have been ordered from Stadler Rail. The first locomotive is scheduled for delivery in August 2020.

Fleet
Rail Operations Group has a fleet of 14 locomotives.

Future fleet
Rail Operations Group is due to receive ten Class 93 tri-mode locomotives in 2020.

In January 2019, it was confirmed that Rail Operations Group will operate two Class 769 units to transport mail.