Date: 20/08/2019

An internal traction strategy has been produced by Direct Rail Services that plans to gradually eliminate the heritage part of the company's fleet - starting with Class 20s and 37s.
DRS Managing Director Debbie Francis told RAIL that the speed and extent of the plan will depend on customer demand for the traction, with Network Rails requirement for Class 20s for seasonal railhead treatment work being an example. Except at a clients behest, no further heavy maintenance will be carried out on these classes.
The locomotives will not be sold, but will be offered to heritage railways for service off the national network at a peppercorn charge. This approach has previously been used successfully.

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EXCLUSIVE: DRS develops strategy to eliminate older traction

Rail

Heritage traction to be gradually withdrawn by DRS

Related images

The stored DRS lcomotives at Carnforth seem to be moved around the yard quite a bit - presumably to keep things from seizing up. 37261, 37612 and 37605 are seen here from the station platform, in front of four stored Class 20s, with the depot coaling tower and ash plant behind. Will there be any RHTT work for these locos this autumn? Postscript: Later that same day four more DRS Class 20s (20309/10/11/12) arrived from Carlisle for storage in the yard here.
Location: Carnforth
Company: Lancaster and Carlisle Railway
14/09/2010 Mark Bartlett

DRS class 37 no 37682 top and tailed with Network Rail's 97304 on 1Q14 radio test train from Carlisle to Derby RTC via Ayr, seen running through Kilmarnock station on 9 August 2012.
Location: Kilmarnock
Company: Glasgow, Paisley, Kilmarnock and Ayr Railway
09/08/2012 Ken Browne

A brace of DRS Class 20s brings a railtour from Birmingham into Carlisle on 7 February 2009.
Location: Carlisle
Company: Lancaster and Carlisle Railway
07/02/2009 John Robin

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Tags: x Class 20 x Class 37 x Direct Rail Services