View source for Direct Rail Services

{{short description|Rail freight company in Great Britain}}
{{EngvarB|date=May 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Infobox rail company
| logo             = Direct Rail Services.svg
| name             = Direct Rail Services Ltd.
| image            = Railway at Scotchman's Bridge - geograph.org.uk - 4038144.jpg
| image_size       =
| start_year       = February 1995<ref>{{cite web |url = https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/03020822 |title = Direct Rail Services Limited: Company number 03020822 |publisher = gov.uk |access-date = 29 May 2022}}</ref>
| end_year         = present
| caption          = DRS Class 66 container train at Scotchman's Bridge in 2014
| regions          = Great Britain
| headquarters     = [[Carlisle]], England, UK<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.directrailservices.com/contact-drs/ |title = Contact Details |access-date = 26 July 2021 |publisher = Direct Rail Services}}</ref>
| abbr             = 
| parent_company   = Nuclear Transport Services (part of the [[Nuclear Decommissioning Authority]])<ref name = nts />
| website          = {{Official URL}}
| linelength       = 
| tracklength      = 
| notrack          = 
| gauge            =
| oldgauge         = 
| el               = 
| speed            = 
| elevation        = 
}}

'''Direct Rail Services''' ('''DRS''') is a [[Rail freight in Great Britain|rail freight company]] in [[Great Britain]], and is one of the [[State-owned enterprises of the United Kingdom|publicly owned railway companies]] in the United Kingdom.

DRS was created as a wholly owned subsidiary of [[British Nuclear Fuels Ltd]] (BNFL) during late 1994 with the primary purpose of taking over the rail-based handling of nuclear material from [[British Rail]]. As early as 1997, the company began diversification into other operations, initially bidding for contracts to haul freight traffic for other companies such as [[Tesco]] and [[Eddie Stobart Group]]. Furthermore, DRS has branched into passenger services, these have included [[charter]]s, such as the [[Northern Belle (train)|Northern Belle]], and contracts with operators such as [[National Express East Anglia]], [[Chiltern Railways]], and [[Arriva Rail North]]. Additional rolling stock, such as the [[British Rail Class 57|Class 57]] and [[British Rail Class 88|Class 88]] locomotives, have been acquired by DRS during the 2010s.

In 2005, DRS was transferred from BNFL to the newly created [[Nuclear Decommissioning Authority]] (NDA). During early 2021, further restructuring led to DRS, along with sibling subsidiaries Pacific Nuclear Transport Limited (PNTL) and [[International Nuclear Services]] (INS), falling under a new NDA division, ''Nuclear Transport Solutions'' (NTS).

==History==
===Early operations===
The origins of Direct Rail Services (DRS) can be traced back to the [[privatisation of British Rail]] during the 1990s; [[British Nuclear Fuels Ltd]] (BNFL) had a long-standing arrangement with [[British Rail]] for the latter to undertake the haulage of [[nuclear flask]] traffic, but the pending dissolution of British Rail led to BNFL considering other options. In October 1994, it was announced that BNFL had decided to perform rail transport and other railway-related services internally.<ref>{{cite magazine |title = RFS 20s in main line deal |magazine = [[Rail Magazine|Rail]] |issue = 238 |date = 26 October 1994 |page = 9}}</ref><ref name = "about DRS"/> For this purpose, DRS was set up as a wholly owned rail freight subsidiary of BNFL, initially using a small fleet of five [[British Rail Class 20|Class 20/3]] locomotives.<ref name = "nuclear 1996"/>

Prior to 1998, DRS's nuclear haulage activities were exclusively related to the transporting of [[nuclear fuel rod]]s from overseas to Sellafield for processing. During 1998, DRS took over the movement of fuel rods from various [[Nuclear power in the United Kingdom|nuclear power stations across Britain]], such as [[Heysham nuclear power station|Heysham]], [[Wylfa Nuclear Power Station|Valley (for Wylfa)]], [[Hinkley Point B Nuclear Power Station|Bridgwater (for Hinkley Point)]], [[Oldbury Nuclear Power Station|Berkeley (for Oldbury)]], [[Hunterston B nuclear power station|Hunterston]], [[Torness Nuclear Power Station|Torness]], [[Hartlepool Nuclear Power Station|Seaton Carew]], [[Dungeness Nuclear Power Station|Dungeness]] and [[Sizewell nuclear power stations|Sizewell]].<ref>{{cite magazine |title = DRS take over nuclear traffic |magazine = Rail Express |issue = 29 October 1998 |page = 6}}</ref>

[[File:Railway Line - geograph.org.uk - 596522.jpg|thumb|DRS Class 20 locomotive hauling a nuclear waste train, the original and continuing core service of the company]]

During 1997, DRS began to diversify into the haulage of other traffic, having secured a contract to operate milk traffic from [[Penrith, Cumbria|Penrith]] to [[Cricklewood]].<ref>{{cite magazine |title = Britain's first piggyback milk train starts running |magazine = Rail |issue = 308 |date = 2 July 1997 |page = 7}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title = DRS wins milk traffic haulage contract |magazine = Rail Express |issue = 15 August 1997 |page = 6}}</ref> In 2002, it commenced running [[intermodal freight transport|intermodal freight]] trains from [[Grangemouth]] to the [[Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal]] using [[British Rail Class 66|Class 66/4 locomotives]]; it carries containers for both the [[Malcolm Group]] and [[Asda]]. In May 2020, DRS announced it had launched a new electrified freight route between the Daventry Freight Terminal and Mossend Yard, outside [[Glasgow]].<ref>{{cite web |url = https://railinsider.co.uk/2020/05/22/drs-opens-up-new-all-electric-freight-route-from-daventry-to-glasgow-via-the-ecml/ |title = DRS opens up new all-electric freight route from Daventry to Glasgow via the ECML |publisher = railinsider.co.uk |first = Nigel |last = Wordsworth |date = 22 May 2020 |access-date = 29 May 2022 |archive-date = 25 October 2021 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211025105350/https://railinsider.co.uk/2020/05/22/drs-opens-up-new-all-electric-freight-route-from-daventry-to-glasgow-via-the-ecml/ |url-status = dead }}</ref>

The ownership of DRS was transferred from BNFL to the [[Nuclear Decommissioning Authority]] (NDA), following the creation of the NDA on 1 April 2005 under the terms of the [[Energy Act 2004]].<ref>{{Cite web |title = House of Lords - Science and Technology - Minutes of Evidence |url = https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200607/ldselect/ldsctech/999/7011605.htm |access-date = 10 September 2021 |website = publications.parliament.uk}}</ref><ref name = "about DRS">{{cite web |url = https://www.directrailservices.com/about-us/ |title = About us |publisher = directrailservices.com |access-date = 19 May 2022}}</ref> Since April 2021, DRS, as well as its sibling NDA subsidiaries Pacific Nuclear Transport Limited (PNTL) and [[International Nuclear Services]] (INS), have been operated by a newly created NDA division, ''Nuclear Transport Solutions'' (NTS).<ref name = nts >{{cite web |title = The NDA will bring its transport and logistics expertise together |url = https://www.gov.uk/government/news/the-nda-will-bring-its-transport-and-logistics-expertise-together |website = Gov.uk | publisher = Nuclear Decommissioning Authority |access-date = 3 March 2021}}</ref><ref name = "about DRS"/>

During 2006, DRS started a new service, the ''Tesco Express'', on behalf of the [[Eddie Stobart Group]] in partnership with [[Tesco]], the UK's largest food retailer, to move containers from Daventry north to [[Mossend]] and [[Inverness]] using a new dedicated low-emission Class 66 locomotive in Eddie Stobart livery, 66411 ''Eddie the Engine''. A daily service from Grangemouth to Inverness followed in 2009, with another Class 66 in a promotional livery, this time 66414 ''James the Engine''. The Daventry {{ndash}} Scotland Stobart contract transferred to [[DB Cargo UK|DB Schenker]] in January 2010, along with the onward daily service to Inverness, though this reverted to DRS operation in summer 2011.<ref>{{cite magazine |editor1-last = Piggott |editor1-first = Nick |title = Blow for DRS as DBS wins Stobart Contract |magazine = The Railway Magazine |date = October 2009 |volume = 155 |issue = 1,302 |page = 8 |publisher = IPC Media |location = London |issn = 0033-8923}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last1 = Milner |first1 = Chris |title = DRS wins back Tesco train |magazine = The Railway Magazine |date = January 2013 |volume = 159 |issue = 1,341 |page = 86 |publisher = Mortons Media |location = Horncastle |issn = 0033-8923}}</ref> In January 2022, DRS and Tesco signed a three-year extension deal; by this point, the company was transporting roughly 12,000 containers for Tesco per month.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.railmagazine.com/news/network/2022/01/25/drs-signs-new-tesco-deal |title = DRS signs new Tesco deal |publisher = railmagazine.com |date = 25 January 2022}}</ref>

As of 2021, DRS has stated its intention to grow its presence in the rail freight sector, particular in [[Scotland]].<ref name = "nts 2021">{{cite web |url = https://www.railmagazine.com/news/network/drs-targets-growth-in-operations-as-part-of-nts |title = DRS targets growth in operations as part of NTS |publisher = railmagazine.com |date = 11 May 2021}}</ref>

===Passenger services===
[[File:47805 & 47818, Stretton (7222616846).jpg|thumb|A pair of DRS Class 47s hauling a rake of carriages passing near [[Stretton, Derbyshire]]]]
In 2007, seven [[British Rail Mark 3|Mark 3 carriages]] from [[Virgin Trains]] were refurbished at the [[Oxley TRSMD|Oxley depot]].<ref>{{cite magazine |editor-last = Sutton |editor-first = Phillip |title = Direct Rail Services buys passenger coach rake for possible charter use |magazine = Rail Express |issue = 127 |date = December 2006 |page = 4 |issn = 1362-234X}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |editor1-last = Fox |editor1-first = Peter |title = DRS unveils refurbished Mk 3s |journal = Today's Railways |date = September 2007 |issue = 69 |page = 65 |publisher = Platform 5 |location = Sheffield |issn = 1475-9713}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last = Milner |first = Chris |title = DRS launches luxury charter set |magazine = The Railway Magazine |volume = 153 |issue = 1,277 |date = September 2007 |page = 71 |issn = 0033-8923}}</ref> The following year saw the coaches used to operate [[charter]] services under the [[Stobart Group|Stobart Rail]] banner,<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Yearsley|first=Alan|title=DRS/Stobart launch new Pullman train |magazine = Today's Railways |issue = 76 |date = April 2008 |page = 74|issn = 1475-9713}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last = Bickerdyke |first = Paul |title = Stobart launches new charter operation |magazine = The Railway Magazine |volume = 154 |issue = 1,284 |date = April 2008 |page = 67 |issn = 0033-8923}}</ref> however, the Stobart Rail operation ceased in July 2008.<ref>{{cite magazine |last = Yearsley |first = Alan |title = Stobart pulls plug on charter operation |magazine = Today's Railways |issue = 81 |date = September 2008 |page = 74 |issn = 1475-9713}}</ref>

In June 2009, DRS commenced operating [[Bank engine|rescue locomotive]] duties on the [[Great Eastern Main Line]] for the train operator [[National Express East Anglia]], as well as hauling [[British Rail Class 90|Class 90]] electric locomotives from {{Stnlink|Norwich}} to {{Stnlink|Great Yarmouth}} on summer Saturdays.<ref>{{cite magazine |last = Milner |first = Chris |title = DRS launches Thunderbird contract |magazine = The Railway Magazine |volume = 155 |issue = 1,300 |date = August 2009 |page = 75 |issn = 0033-8923}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.railmagazine.com/trains/current-trains/norfolk-s-seaside-special |title = Norfolk's seaside special |publisher = railmagazine.com |first = Richard |last = Clinnick |date = 12 August 2009}}</ref> This included Summer Saturday [[Wherry Lines]] services. DRS have periodically operated services on the [[Wherry Lines]] during periods of diesel multiple unit shortage. During October 2014, it commenced operating a two-year contract to operate services on the Wherry Lines under contract to [[Abellio Greater Anglia]].<ref>{{cite magazine |last = Pritchard |first = Robert |title = DRS coaches in use on GA loco-hauled |magazine = Today's Railways |issue = 154 |date = October 2014 |page = 63 |issn = 1475-9713}}</ref> It was operated by top and tailed Class 47s hauling Mark 2s, top and tail Class 37s were introduced in mid-2015.

[[File:Class 37 and 68 st bees.jpg|thumb|DRS Class 37 and Class 68 cross with [[British Rail Mark 2|Mark 2]] passenger stock at {{stnlnk|St Bees}} on the Cumbrian Coast Line.]]
Between 30 November 2009 and 28 May 2010, DRS ran a service on the [[Cumbrian Coast Line]] between {{Stnlink|Maryport}} and {{Stnlink|Workington}} following a road bridge being destroyed by floods.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/free-cumbria-floods-train-service-to-finish-next-week-1.711071?referrerPath=news/brave_river_rescuers_save_woman_s_life_1_621622=news/ |title = Free Cumbria Floods Train Service to Finish Next Week |publisher = [[News and Star]] |location = Carlisle |date = 21 May 2010}} {{Cite web |url=http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/free-cumbria-floods-train-service-to-finish-next-week-1.711071?referrerPath=news%2Fbrave_river_rescuers_save_woman_s_life_1_621622%3Dnews%2F |title=Ballet star shows off charity portraits |date=13 December 2000 |access-date=26 July 2019 |archive-date=7 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307140006/http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/free-cumbria-floods-train-service-to-finish-next-week-1.711071?referrerPath=news%2Fbrave_river_rescuers_save_woman_s_life_1_621622%3Dnews%2F |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref> The trains were made up of [[British Rail Class 37|Class 37]]s, [[British Rail Class 47|Class 47]]s and [[British Rail Class 57|Class 57]]s top and tailing DRS' Mark 3 carriages.

During April 2011, DRS commenced a five-year contract under which it provided [[British Rail Class 47|Class 47]] locomotives to haul the [[Belmond Northern Belle|Northern Belle]], a luxury passenger train.<ref>{{cite magazine |last = Marsh |first = Phil |title = Direct Rail Services to operate Northern Belle |magazine = The Railway Magazine |volume = 157 |issue = 1323 |date = July 2011 |page = 73 |issn = 0033-8923}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title = DRS bolsters Class 47 fleet for passenger work |magazine = [[Rail Express]] |issue = 181 |date = June 2011 |page = 42}}</ref> By 2013, the company was operating 140 passenger charters annually, roughly 100 of which were for the Northern Belle.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.railmagazine.com/trains/current-trains/introducing-the-drs-crewe |title = Introducing the DRS 'Crewe' |publisher = railmagazine.com |date = 1 May 2013}}</ref> By April 2018, the train was being hauled by [[British Rail Class 57|Class 57]]s operated by [[West Coast Railways]], the owner of the Northern Belle, instead.<ref>{{cite magazine |title = Northern Belle now has West Coast power |magazine = Rail Express |issue = 265 |date = June 2018 |page = 71}}</ref>

On 9 January 2012, a trial service was introduced for six weeks by the NDA for its workers, with DRS supplying a Class 37 to haul four [[British Rail Mark 2|Mark 2]] carriages between {{Stnlink|Carlisle}} and {{Stnlink|Sellafield}}.<ref>{{cite magazine |url = http://www.rail.co.uk/rail-news/2012/loco-hauled-cumbrian-coast-commuter-services/ |title = Loco-hauled Cumbrian Coast Commuter Service |magazine = Rail.co.uk |date = January 2012 |access-date = 13 September 2012 |archive-date = 24 November 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121124042120/http://www.rail.co.uk/rail-news/2012/loco-hauled-cumbrian-coast-commuter-services/ |url-status = dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |editor-last = Brown |editor-first = Murray |title = DRS begins its own service to ferry workers to Sellafield and return |magazine = Rail Express |issue = 189 |date = February 2012 |page = 7 |issn = 1362-234X}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |editor-last = Piggott |editor-first = Nick |title = Sellafield workers train launched |magazine = The Railway Magazine |volume = 158 |issue = 1,331 |date = March 2012 |page = 11 |issn = 0033-8923}}</ref> Although the trial was reported to have been a success, plans to introduce regular services from December 2012 did not materialise until May 2015. To operate these services, DRS purchased a fleet of Mark 2 carriages and had these overhauled at [[Eastleigh Works]].<ref>{{cite magazine |last = Russell |first = David |title = Overhauled DRS Mk2s emerge from Eastleigh |magazine = Rail Express |issue = 204 |date = May 2013 |page = 51 |issn = 1362-234X}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last = Russell |first = David |title = Further DRS coaches emerge from Eastleigh |magazine = Rail Express |issue = 207 |date = August 2013 |page = 53 |issn = 1362-234X}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last = Pritchard |first = Robert |title = DRS launches refurbished Mark 2s |magazine = Today's Railways |issue = 142 |date = October 2013 |page = 68 |issn = 1475-9713}}</ref> In May 2015, the company started to operate some services on the Cumbrian Coast Line under contract to [[Northern Rail]] (later [[Arriva Rail North]]) using top and tail Class 37s which hauled Mark 2 coaches.<ref>{{cite magazine |magazine = Railway Herald |url = http://railwayherald.com/uknews/loco-hauled-services-to-return-to-the-cumbrian-coast |access-date = 9 January 2015 |title = Loco-hauled Services to Return to the Cumbrian Coast |date = 8 January 2015 }}</ref> On 27 July 2015, one of the Class 37s was replaced by a [[Driving Brake Standard Open|DBSO]], with the other replaced at a later date.<ref>{{cite magazine |editor-last = Harris |editor-first = Nigel |title = Cumbrian top and tail 37s phased out |magazine = Rail Magazine |issue = 780|date = 5 August 2015 |page = 22 |publisher = Bauer Media |location = Peterborough |issn = 0953-4563}}</ref> On 29 January 2018, one set was made to be Top and Tail Class 68s, while the other stayed a Class 37 and DBSO. On 21 May 2018, there was only one set out, which was the Top and Tail Class 68s only running between Carlisle and Barrow-in-Furness. This service was ultimately replaced by [[British Rail Class 156|Class 156]] Diesel Multiple Units (transferred from [[Abellio ScotRail|ScotRail]]) on 28 December 2018, with special commemorative 'farewell' service being run for charity on 11 January 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |url = https://www.directrailservices.com/news-articles/2019/01/04/special-cumbrian-coast-service-to-commemorate-class-37s/ |title = Special Cumbrian Coast service to commemorate Class 37s |date = 4 January 2019 |website = Direct Rail Services |access-date = 16 January 2019 |archive-date = 16 January 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190116200742/https://www.directrailservices.com/news-articles/2019/01/04/special-cumbrian-coast-service-to-commemorate-class-37s/ |url-status = dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url = https://www.northernrailway.co.uk/news/latest-news/2174-special-cumbrian-service-to-commemorate-class-37s |title = Special Cumbrian service to commemorate Class 37s |website = Arriva Rail North (Northern) |access-date = 16 January 2019 |archive-date = 3 January 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190103235603/https://www.northernrailway.co.uk/news/latest-news/2174-special-cumbrian-service-to-commemorate-class-37s |url-status = dead }}</ref>

In June 2014, it was announced that [[Chiltern Railways]] had signed a contract with DRS for the latter to provide six of its [[British Rail Class 68|Class 68]] locomotives to haul express passenger services, replacing [[British Rail Class 67|Class 67]]s hired from DBS.<ref>{{cite magazine |last = Pritchard |first = Robert |title = Chiltern signs deal for Class 68s |magazine = Today's Railways |issue = 150 |date = June 2014 |page = 60 |issn = 1475-9713}}</ref> On 15 December 2014, the first of DRS-hauled Chiltern service departed [[Marylebone station]]; Chiltern noted that the Class 68s will be capable of hauling extended trains in the future.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.railmagazine.com/news/network/class-68-makes-chiltern-railways-debut |title = Class 68 makes Chiltern Railways debut |publisher = railmagazine.com |first = Richard |last = Clinnick |date = 15 December 2014}}</ref> In addition to the locomotives themselves, DRS provided commissioning and maintenance services.<ref>{{cite news |title = Chiltern leases six Class 68 locos for Mainline services in £15m deal |url = http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Awards-contracts-appointments/chiltern-leases-six-class-68-locos-for-mainline-services-in-15m-deal |work = Rail Technology Magazine |date = 15 April 2014 |access-date = 12 August 2014}}</ref>

==Depots==
[[File:Crewe DRS - 66423 in maintenance bay.JPG|thumb|A {{brc|66}} locomotive no. 66423 being serviced at Crewe]]
Direct Rail Services initially operated from a base at the nuclear reprocessing plant in Sellafield, but in 1998 moved into [[Carlisle Kingmoor TMD|Carlisle Kingmoor depot]] which had been disused since 1987.<ref>{{cite magazine |title = Direct Rail Services to lease Carlisle Kingmoor diesel depot |magazine = Rail Express |issue = 21 |date = February 1998 |page = 6}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |editor-last = Harris |editor-first = Nigel |title = DRS moves to Carlisle Depot |magazine = Rail Magazine |issue = 360 |date = 30 June 1999 |page = 12 |issn = 0953-4563}}</ref>
A second depot was opened at [[Crewe Gresty Lane TMD|Crewe Gresty Bridge]] in March 2007. This is on the site of a former wagon works.<ref>{{cite magazine |editor-last = Sutton |editor-first = Phillip |title = DRS opens Crewe Gresty Bridge loco depot |magazine = Rail Express |issue = 132 |date = May 2007 |page = 5 |issn = 1362-234X}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |editor-last = Piggott |editor-first = Nick |title = Thornaby to close – but new DRS depot opens |magazine = The Railway Magazine |volume = 153 |issue = 1,274 |date = June 2007 |page = 8 |issn = 0033-8923}}</ref> 
It also operates the [[Motherwell TMD|Motherwell depot]], where it carries out inspection work and re-fuelling.<ref>{{cite magazine |url = https://www.railmagazine.com/news/rail-features/exclusive-inside-direct-rail-services |title = EXCLUSIVE: Inside Direct Rail Services |issue = 842 |date = 18 January 2018 |magazine = Rail Magazine |access-date = 11 May 2021 |issn = 0953-4563}}</ref>

==Fleet==
The initial fleet of locomotives were five [[British Rail Class 20|Class 20/3s]] which were overhauled at [[Brush Traction]], [[Loughborough]] for their new duties.<ref name = "nuclear 1996">{{cite magazine |title = Nuclear power |magazine = Rail |issue = 263 |date = 11 October 1995 |page = 6}}</ref>

[[File:DRS locos at Eastleigh.jpg|thumb|DRS locos awaiting overhaul at Eastleigh Works, October 2009]]
In 1997, six [[British Rail Class 37|Class 37/6s]] were purchased from international high speed passenger operator [[Eurostar]].<ref>{{cite magazine |title = Direct Rail Services buys Eurostar locomotives and doubles its fleet |magazine = Rail |issue = 308 |date = 2 July 1997 |page = 6}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last = Marsden |first = Colin |title = Direct Rail Services traction fleet expands to 23 locos |magazine = The Railway Magazine |volume = 143 |issue = 1,157 |date = September 1997 |page = 63 |issn = 0033-8923}}</ref> DRS would later build up an extensive fleet of [[British Rail Class 37|Class 37]] and [[British Rail Class 47|47]] locomotives from various sources. In 2001, a number of [[British Rail Class 33|Class 33s]] were purchased.<ref>{{cite magazine |last = Brown |first = Murray |title = DRS treatment for a Crompton |magazine = Rail Express |issue = 62 |date = July 2001 |page = 9 |issn = 1362-234X}}</ref> During 2004, three [[British Rail Class 87|Class 87s]] were trialed, but returned to their leasing company after six months.<ref>{{cite magazine |last = Milner |first = Chris |title = DRS to use Class 87s on freight |magazine = The Railway Magazine |volume = 150 |issue = 1,244 |date = December 2004 |page = 65 |issn = 0033-8923}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last = Milner |first = Chris |title = DRS hands back Class 87s |magazine = The Railway Magazine |volume = 151 |issue = 1,252 |date = August 2005 |page = 74 |issn = 0033-8923}}</ref> During 2008, DRS initiated efforts to acquire [[British Rail Class 57|Class 57]] locomotives; by 2013, it operated nine former [[Freightliner Group|Freightliner]] 57/0s as well as 12 former [[Virgin Trains]] 57/3s.<ref>{{cite magazine |last = Milner |first = Chris |title = Two more Class 57s for DRS |magazine = The Railway Magazine |volume = 154 |issue = 1,289 |date = September 2008 |page = 82 |issn = 0033-8923}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last = Milner |first = Chris |title = Remaining Class 57/3s snapped up by DRS and West Coast Co |magazine = The Railway Magazine |volume = 159 |issue = 1,343 |date = March 2013 |page = 80 |issn = 0033-8923}}</ref>

On 12 September 2013, it was announced that DRS would be the launch customer for the new [[Vossloh Euro Dual]] dual-mode freight locomotive by [[MACOSA#Vossloh España|Vossloh España]]. These would become {{Brc|88}}.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/drs-orders-10-electro-diesel-locomotives-from-vossloh.html |title = DRS orders 10 electro-diesel locomotives from Vossloh |publisher = [[Railway Gazette International]] |date = 12 September 2013 |access-date = 15 September 2013 |archive-date = 17 October 2014 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141017033402/http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/drs-orders-10-electro-diesel-locomotives-from-vossloh.html |url-status = dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.railmagazine.com/news/fleet/2016/09/20/new-88s-set-to-displace-older-drs-locomotives |title = New '88s' set to displace older DRS locomotives |publisher = railmagazine.com |date = 22 September 2016}}</ref> DRS took delivery of the first of 15 new {{brc|68}}s in February 2014; these are diesel-only versions of the Class 88s which would arrive later.<ref>{{cite magazine |editor-last = Harris |editor-first = Nigel |title = First Direct Rail Services 68 delivered to UK |magazine = Rail Magazine |issue = 741 |date = 5 February 2014 |page = 17 |publisher = Bauer Media |location = Peterborough |issn = 0953-4563}}</ref> During October 2014, a further ten were ordered followed by another seven in July 2015.<ref>{{cite magazine |title = 10 More 68s for DRS |magazine = [[Modern Railways]] |issue = 793 |date = October 2014 |page = 18}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |editor-last = Piggott |editor-first = Nick |title = DRS orders seven more Class 68s |magazine = The Railway Magazine |volume = 160 |issue = 1,373 |date = August 2015 |page = 6 |issn = 0033-8923}}</ref> In April 2015, two Class 68s commenced operating [[Fife Circle Line]] services for [[Abellio ScotRail]]. A further batch of six Class 68s (68020{{ndash}}68025) were delivered by on 5 April 2016.

[[File:Crewe Gresty Bridge DRS Open Day 21.jpg|thumb|DRS Class 90 electric locomotive no.90034 at Crewe Gresty Bridge depot Open Day on 19 July 2014]]
On 8 January 2016, DRS announced it would sell 12 of its older locomotives, including one {{Brc|20}} locomotive (20312), six Class 37 locomotives (37503/510/521/608/611/670) and five Class 47 locomotives (47810/13/18/28/53) along with two of its [[British Railways Mark 2|Mark 2]] coaches.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.directrailservices.com/news-articles/2016/01/08/sale-of-surplus-assets/ |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160126033324/http://www.directrailservices.com/news-articles/2016/01/08/sale-of-surplus-assets/ |archive-date = 26 January 2016 |title = Sale of Surplus Assets |publisher = Direct Rail Services}}</ref> By January 2022, the company was in the process of disposing of older rolling stock, such as Class 20s, Class 37s, Class 57s, and Mark 2 coaches, along with associated spare parts and other elements; this was reportedly one part of a wider fleet modernisation effort.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.railmagazine.com/news/network/2022/01/12/direct-rail-services-disposes-of-heritage-locomotives |title = Direct Rail Services disposes of heritage locomotives |publisher = railmagazine.com |date = 15 January 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.railmagazine.com/news/network/drs-develops-strategy-to-eliminate-older-traction |title = EXCLUSIVE: DRS develops strategy to eliminate older traction |publisher = railmagazine.com |date = 20 August 2019}}</ref>

66301-66305 left DRS for [[GB Railfreight|GBRf]] at the end of 2022, as DRS restructured its fleet.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.pressreader.com/uk/railways-illustrated/20220802/281767042960598|via=PressReader|title=}}</ref>

===Current fleet===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Class
!Image
!Type
!Built
!Number
!Wheel Arr
!Notes
|-
|[[British Rail Class 57|Class 57/3]]
|[[File:DRS Class 57, 57304 "Pride of Cheshire", Crewe railway station (geograph 4524763).jpg|120x120px]]
| rowspan="3" |[[Diesel locomotive]]
|1998-04
|5
| rowspan="2" |Co-Co
|Originally a fleet of 21 locomotives converted from [[British Rail Class 47|Class 47s]]. Only 4 are operational with DRS as of 2024.

* 4 are used for Thunderbird duty on the [[West Coast Main Line|West Coast Mainline]]
* 1 is awaiting disposal 
|-
|[[British Rail Class 66|Class 66/0,& 66/4]]
|[[File:Nuclear flask train approaching How Mill - March 2017 - geograph.org.uk - 5330867.jpg|120x120px]]
|2002-08
|19
|Originally a fleet of 39 locomotives. Only 19 are in use with DRS as of 2024.
|-
|[[British Rail Class 68|Class 68/0]]
|[[File:6C19 Sellafield-Heysham empty flasks passes through Carnforth with 68033 The Poppy leading and 68034 Rail Riders 2020 trailing at this point. - 52988043286.jpg|119x119px]]
[[File:68014 Chiltern Banbury 14-03-17 (35054510600).jpg|120x120px]]
|2013-17
|20
| rowspan="2" |Bo-Bo
|Originally a fleet of 34 locomotives. 20 are operational as of 2024.

* 14 were subleased to [[TransPennine Express]] before being placed into storage
* 6 are subleased to [[Chiltern Railways]]
|-
|[[British Rail Class 88|Class 88/0]]
|[[File:Oxenholme Station - geograph.org.uk - 6776962.jpg|120x120px]]
|[[Electro-diesel locomotive|Bi-mode locomotive]]
|2015
|10
|
|}

=== Past fleet ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Class
!Image
!Type
!Built
!Number
!Wheel Arr
!Notes
|-
|[[British Rail Class 20|Class 20/3, 20/9]]
|[[File:York - DRS 20308 and 20312.jpg|120x120px]]
| rowspan="7" |[[Diesel locomotive]]
|1957-1962,
1965-1968
|21
| rowspan="2" |Bo-Bo
|Fleet of 21 locomotives. All were withdrawn between 2004 and 2016.

* 13 were sold to [[Harry Needle Railroad Company]] with 10 in storage
* 6 were scrapped
* 2 were sold to [[Balfour Beatty]]
|-
|[[British Rail Class 33|Class 33/0, 33/2, 33/3 Minimodal]]
|[[File:Diesel Locos Visiting the KWVR Gala on Bridge - geograph.org.uk - 76621.jpg|120x120px]]
|1960-62
|5
|Fleet of 5 locomotives. All withdrawn in September 2005.

* 4 were sold to [[West Coast Railways]]
* 1 was scrapped
|-
|[[British Rail Class 37|Class 37/0, 37/4, & 37/7]]
|[[File:37423 & Caroline Danesmoor.jpg|120x120px]]
|1960-65
|20
| rowspan="4" |Co-Co
|Fleet of 20 locomotives. All were withdrawn between 2016 and 2024.

* 9 are in storage with [[Harry Needle Railroad Company]]
* 4 were sold to [[Europhoenix]]
* 3 were sold to [[Locomotive Services Limited]]
* 2 were sold to [[Harry Needle Railroad Company]]
* 1 was sold to [[Loram Maintenance of Way|Loram UK]]
* 1 was scrapped
|-
|Class 47/5, 47/7 & 47/8
|[[File:47 818 near Postwick with 16.20 ex-Yarmouth.jpg|120x120px]]
|1962-1968
|16
|Fleet of 16 locomotives. All were withdrawn between 2012 and 2018.

* 6 were sold to [[Locomotive Services Limited]]
* 5 were scrapped
* 2 were sold to [[West Coast Railways]]
* 1 was sold to [[Rail Operations Group]]
* 1 was preserved by [https://www.facebook.com/D05pres?locale=en_GB D05 Preservation Limited] 
* 1 was sold to Arlington Fleet Group, Eastleigh to be used as a shunter
|-
|[[British Rail Class 57|Class 57/0 & 57/3]]
|[[File:57306 at Greenholme - geograph.org.uk - 4511517.jpg|120x120px]]
|1998-2004
|16
|
* 5 were sold to [[West Coast Railways]] with 2 used as a source of spare parts
* 5 were sold to [[Locomotive Services Limited]], 1 of which was later scrapped
* 4 were sold to [[GB Railfreight|GBRf]]
* 1 was sold to [[Great Western Railway (train operating company)|GWR]]
* 1 was sold to [[Harry Needle Railroad Company]]
|-
|[[British Rail Class 66|Class 66/4]]
|[[File:Nuclear flask train approaching How Mill - March 2017 - geograph.org.uk - 5330867.jpg|120x120px]]
|2002-2008
|20
|
* 10 were sold to [[Freightliner Group|Freightliner]]
* 10 were sold to [[GB Railfreight|GBRF]]
|-
|[[British Rail Class 68|Class 68/0]]
|[[File:TransPennine Express 68019 Brutus at Gresty Bridge, July 2018.jpg|120x120px]]
|2013-2017
|14
| rowspan="3" |Bo-Bo
|14 returned to Beacon Rail Leasing after use with [[TransPennine Express]].
|-
|[[British Rail Class 87|Class 87]]
|[[File:87006 D London Euston.JPG|frameless|119x119px]]
|[[Electric locomotive]]
|1973-1975
|3
|3 were trialled during 2004 for three months before being returned to their leasing company.
|-
|[[British Rail Class 90|Class 90]]
|[[File:Crewe Gresty Bridge DRS Open Day 21.jpg|120x120px]]
|[[Electric locomotive]]
|1987-1990
|1
|1 was leased from [[DB Cargo UK]] for use with [[Virgin Trains]] for their "[[Pretendolino]]" train before being returned.
|}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{commons category-inline}}
* {{Official website}}

{{British freight operators|state=collapsed}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Government-owned companies of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Nuclear technology in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Railway companies established in 1995]]
[[Category:Rail transport in Cumbria]]
[[Category:Rail freight companies in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:1995 establishments in England]]