Angel Trains
UK's largest rolling stock leasing company that uses additive manufacturing to produce obsolete spare parts for its train fleet, cutting costs and lead times.
- CEO / Founder
- Malcolm Brown
- Team Size
- 51-200
- Stage
- Established
- Total Funding
- $1.91B
- Latest Round
- Private Equity
- Key Investors
- PSP Investments; Amber Infrastructure; Arjun Infrastructure Partners; UPP
Technology & Products
Key Products
3D printed spare parts for rail vehicles; Rolling stock leasing and asset management
Technological Advantage
As a leasing company, Angel Trains leverages AM to address obsolescence of train parts, reducing reliance on original equipment manufacturers. The AM capability is not proprietary but is enabled through partnerships; the advantage lies in their scale (4,000 vehicles) and data on part requirements.
Differentiation
Value Proposition
Reduces maintenance costs and fleet downtime by 3D printing hard-to-source spare parts, saving thousands of pounds per day and eliminating long lead times for obsolete components.
How They Differentiate
Unlike traditional rail leasing companies, Angel Trains invests in additive manufacturing to provide faster and cheaper spare parts, enhancing its value proposition to operators.
Market & Competition
Target Customers
Rail operators (train operating companies) in the UK
Industry Verticals
Rail transportation
Competitors
Porterbrook; Deutsche Bahn
Growth & Milestones
Growth Metrics
Owns over 4,000 rail vehicles (over one-third of UK's passenger rolling stock); invested £1.5 billion in rolling stock and innovation over past decade; saved thousands of pounds per day using 3D printing.
Major Milestones
Founded in 1994 during British Rail privatisation; 2018: Launched UK's first 3D printing manufacturing solution with Stratasys and DB ESG; 2024: Acquired 50% of SMBC Leasing's UK rail business; 2024: Arjun Infrastructure acquired minority stake
Notable Customers
West Midlands Trains; First MTR South Western Trains; GB Railfreight; Transport for Wales Rail; ScotRail Trains