UK Traction Review - July 2019
UK Traction Review
JULY 2019
A trio of Class 37 and 47 locomotives relax beneath an overcast sky at the DRS Open Day 2019.
The Direct Rail Services open day on Saturday 20th July 2019 provided a great opportunity to keep up to date with the company's diverse fleet of locomotives and rolling stock. Direct Rail Services operate a variety of both classic and modern traction, with Class 37s, 57s, 66s, 68s and 88s currently in their fleet. The organisation remains as one of just three publicly owned railway companies in the UK (the other two being LNER & NI Railways), and was originally setup by British Nuclear Fuels in 1994 to handle nuclear materials following the privatisation of British Rail. Apart from this, they are also contracted to run a number of freight and passenger services and even sublease locomotives to other train operating companies.
Below you can see photos and updates for each of the locomotives featured at the event and links to relevant products.
Please note: Some of the products linked below may be for locomotives of a different sub-class, livery or in a different condition if the exact type of locomotive has not been produced.
Contents
1) Class 37
2) Class 47
3) Class 57
4) Class 66
5) Class 68
6) Class 88
7) Rolling Stock & Misc
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Class 37
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37401 "Mary Queen of Scots" Beautifully restored at Bo'ness in 2013 and put to work storming along the Cumbrian Coast line until the tail end of 2018, 37401 is currently housed at Kingmoor. Photo © Kieron Mathews |
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37409 "Lord Hinton" 37409 was also used along the Cumbrian Coast before their withdrawal in late 2018. Lord Hinton was kept busy in early 2019 and was seen use in Scotland, East Anglia and elsewhere. Photo © John Jackson |
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37419 "Carl Haviland" Looking resplendent in the classic Intercity Mainline livery, 37419 has seen frequent use on Direct Rail Services' top & tail Mk2 coach runs in East Anglia. Photo © John Jackson |
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Class 47
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47593 "Galloway Princess" Temporarily returning to DRS for the open day, 47593 is now part of Locomotive Services' charter fleet and was faithfully restored to 1980s large logo condition in early 2019. Photo © Kieron Mathews |
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Class 57
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57007 "John Scott" 57007 is one of the few 57/0s still in operation and was seen demonstrating the DRS loco washing facility during the open day. Photo © John Jackson |
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57301 "Goliath" Goliath was on show for the second time this year, previously appearing at the Crewe All Change event. This loco is modified for dragging EMUs, like some other members of the 57/3 subclass. Photo © Hattons Model Railways |
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57303 "Pride of Carlisle" Pride of Carlisle was recently used to haul away some of GWR's redundant HST stock for haulage. Visitors to the open day were treated to the chance to explore the cab. Photo © John Jackson |
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Class 66
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66302 "Endeavour" 66302 was the second locomotive to receive a new name at the open day. The name "Endeavour" was chosen by DRS' Business Services Director. Photo © John Jackson |
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66424 66424 has been used by DRS from new. At the show it was seen with its engine cover removed and its full internals on show to the public. Photo © Dave Kemp |
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66426 66426 is another Shed that has exclusively operated with DRS. At the open day its body was displayed on a lift, detached from its bogies. Photo © Kieron Mathews |
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66427 Another 66 in DRS' plain blue livery was on show. Following the event, 66427 was used on a departmental working to Crewe which also contained 37401, 68022 and 66511. Photo © John Jackson |
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66428 "Carlisle Eden Mind" 66428 was the first locomotive of the day to receive a new name, showcasing DRS' support for a local Carlisle mental health charity. Photo © Kieron Mathews |
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66433 Whilst not the most numerous class in DRS' fleet, 66s such as 66433 are an incredibly useful asset and are used on all manner of freight services. Photo © John Jackson |
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Class 68
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68006 "Daring" 68006 is one of the two "Cats" sub-leased by Scotrail for use on their peak time Fife Circle passenger service with Mk2F coaches. Photo © Dave Kemp |
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68017 "Hornet Along with the 88s, the 68s are the flagships of DRS' fleet. Hornet is often seen on nuclear flask workings. Photo © John Jackson |
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68018 "Vigilant" Normally seen working on a variety of freight services, such as nuclear flask workings - 68018 has recently had the honour of hauling several charter services, including one to North Wales. Photo © Kieron Mathews |
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68022 "Resolution" 68022 is one of the 14 locomotives subleased to TransPennine Express for use on services across the North with Mk5A coaches and a DVT. Whilst they have been seen on training runs, delays have meant they haven't been used in public service with the stock yet. Photo © John Jackson |
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68033 68033 is one of just two members of the class which has not yet received a name. Photo © Kieron Mathews |
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Class 88
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88009 "Diana" DRS' small fleet of 88s continue to be a flexible and reliable asset on a variety of freight workings. Diana was part of the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway mixed-traffic gala back in May. Photo © John Jackson |
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Rolling Stock & Misc
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Mk2 DBSO 9705 9705 is one of several Mk2 DBSOs still in use across the UK, with some used by DRS on their East Anglian services. Photo © Kieron Mathews |
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FNA Nuclear Flask Wagon Nuclear flask duties are a high priority for DRS. The company was originally set up by British Nuclear Fuels in 1994 to handle nuclear materials and is currently managed by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority. Photo © John Jackson |
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Class 68 Caterpillar Engine A spare Class 68 powertrain was visible at the show, complete in CAT's distinctive yellow colour scheme. Photo © Hattons Model Railways |
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