DRS to offer stock for sale once lockdown eases

Sales of locomotives and rolling stock owned by Direct Rail Services will begin once lockdown restrictions have eased.

The operator told RAIL on February 5 that at that point, it would be able to arrange viewings for interested parties. Currently, such visits are not permitted.

DRS plans to sell its remaining Class 20s and passenger coaches, as well as ten Class 37s and redundant ‘57s’. It plans to focus on newer traction such as its

Class 66s, ‘68s’ and ‘88s’, but will retain a core fleet of 13 Class 37s (as exclusively revealed by RAIL).

Locomotives for sale will include 20301-305/308/309/312, 37602-606/609 and three from 37218/259, 37401/405 (the one in best condition will be retained - RAIL 922), as well as 57004/008012, 57302/311.

Coaching stock will largely be air-conditioned Mk 2s previously used on hire contracts for Greater Anglia, Northern and ScotRail, while Mk 3s and barrier vehicles will also be offered.

A DRS spokesman told RAIL: “We will publicise when the locomotives are offered for sale and parties are able to bid.

“If anyone would like to express an interest in the locomotives, please email communications@ ntsglobal.uk.”