English Welsh and Scottish Railway (EWS), the UK's largest rail operator of freight services, could be up for sale following reports that the main shareholders have agreed to sell the group. 

One company source revealed that the planned exit will be within 18 to 36 months, while another conceded that there could be scope for a sale in the not too distant future.

Canadian National holds the largest number of shares in EWS, with about a 30 percent stake, while US private equity firm Berkshire Partners holds around 20 percent. Goldman Sachs' stake is estimated to be around five to six percent. 

EWS operates around 8,000 rail freight services per week across the UK and Europe. On November 6th, the company will launch a new service, EWS Energy, providing rail transportation for the electricity generation industries. 

EWS recorded revenues of £485m in 2005.