This provision of the locomotive-hauled coaching stock follows on from the successful trials supported by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, Sellafield Ltd and Northern Rail in 2012.
Three years on, the DfT has finally agreed to the use of the LHCS on a more permanent footing to increase capacity. The LHCS operates on weekdays only.
“I am very proud to be involved in supporting Northern in delivering its vital services for Cumbria,” said DRS Managing Director Neil McNicholas.
“This is testimony to what can be achieved through a true partnership approach between freight and passenger operators.”
On the first day of operations (May 18), the trains used 37419 Carl Haviland and 37605 on one set, and 37423 Spirit of the Lakes and 37609 on the other. On May 20, DRS swapped 37409 Lord Hinton for 37605.
In time, Mk 2 Driving Brake Standard Opens (DBSO) will be used, removing the need for a ‘37’ at each end of the train.
- This feature was published in RAIL 776 on June 10 2015
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