DRS seeks new diesel-electrics for freight and passenger work

By Richard Clinnick
|
21 September 2017
News

Direct Rail Services wants ten new mixed traffic diesel-electric locomotives.

The operator issued an OJEU (Official Journal of European Union) notice on September 16 for locomotives. The deal is estimated at £53 million, and the locomotives must be operating by the third quarter of 2019.

The contract notice calls for the design, building, testing, homologation and commissioning of locomotives that can be used for freight and passenger duties. It is expected that any deal could include the provision of maintenance and servicing, technical support, spares supply and financing.

Expressions of interested must be delivered by 1200 on October 20, and the scheduled start date for award procedures is October 23.

For more on this, read RAIL 836, published on Android/iPad on September 23, and on the shelves September 27.

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Author: Richard Clinnick

Head of News (Print and Digital)

[email protected]

Our Head of News, Richard joined RAIL in 2005 from local press, where he had been working since 2002. He covers all aspects of news for the magazine and website, specialising in operations and rolling stock.

Comments (4)

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FrankH - 21/09/2017 21:48

Seems like they want something more powerful than the 68's. There is a co - co version of the 68, the Euro 4000 @4250 hp.
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BigTone - 21/09/2017 23:26

The Class 68's are a very popular loco. Several will be needed for Trans Pennine duties so not surprised.
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- FrankH - 23/09/2017 00:13
  
  They're not ordering more 68's. Maybe the Cat C175-16 engines in them no longer meet new build emissions so they need another engine that does. If it did there would be no need for the tests to be carried out.
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AndrewJGwilt1989 - 22/09/2017 10:50

Why can't Greater Anglia keep some of the Class 68's for little bit longer until new Bi-Mode trains have been manufactured and delivered. Surly GA could of kept a few of them to work on London Liverpool Street-Lowestoft/Great Yarmouth, Norwich-Great Yarmouth/Lowestoft and Ipswich-Lowestoft/Great Yarmouth routes.
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- FrankH - 24/09/2017 21:19
  
  The 68's were only a short term hire option until the accident damaged class 170 dmu was repaired. I don't think DRS had enough class 37's which is why 68's were used. There are 2 37's still on hire.
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AndrewJGwilt1989 - 22/09/2017 21:36

Some of the Class 68's are heading to Scotland. Unless Scotrail has ordered some Class 68's for the Fife Circle services.
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- FrankH - 24/09/2017 21:27
  
  006 and 7 have been on Fife circle duties since April 2015.
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