Direct Rail Services
Direct Rail Services is a publicly owned British rail freight company specialising in nuclear-materials transport while also operating commercial freight, locomotive-hire, charter and contracted passenger services.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Direct Rail Services (DRS) is a British rail freight company established in 1994 to provide rail transport for nuclear materials. It was created by British Nuclear Fuels Ltd (BNFL) during the transition from the publicly integrated British Rail system to the privatised railway structure. BNFL had historically relied on British Rail to move nuclear fuel and related materials, but the approaching dissolution of British Rail created a need for an in-house rail operator. DRS initially operated a small fleet of five Class 20/3 locomotives and concentrated on nuclear-fuel traffic connected with Sellafield and other sites. The company’s original work involved transporting nuclear fuel rods from overseas to Sellafield for reprocessing. From 1998, its responsibilities expanded to domestic movements from nuclear power stations around Great Britain, including sites such as Heysham, Wylfa, Hinkley Point, Oldbury, Hunterston, Torness, Dungeness and Sizewell. This specialist activity remains central to DRS’s identity and links the company to the wider UK nuclear decommissioning and fuel-cycle infrastructure. DRS began diversifying beyond nuclear traffic in 1997. Its early commercial work included milk trains and freight contracts for customers such as Tesco and the Eddie Stobart Group. In 2002 it started intermodal services between Grangemouth and Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal, carrying containers for the Malcolm Group and Asda. The company subsequently operated or supported additional container, logistics and infrastructure movements, including a more heavily electrified freight route between Daventry and Mossend announced in 2020. A Tesco-related contract was extended for three years in 2022, when DRS reported transporting approximately 12,000 Tesco containers per month. Although primarily a freight operator, DRS has also supplied locomotives, crews and rolling stock for passenger work. Its activities have included charter trains, the Northern Belle luxury service, emergency and substitute services, locomotive rescue duties, and contracted operations on routes including the Cumbrian Coast, Wherry Lines, Fife Circle and services operated by Chiltern Railways. These operations have used locomotive-hauled Mark 2 and Mark 3 coaches, as well as Class 37, Class 47, Class 57 and Class 68 locomotives. Ownership changed in 2005, when DRS transferred from BNFL to the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), established under the Energy Act 2004. In 2021, DRS and fellow NDA companies Pacific Nuclear Transport Limited and International Nuclear Services were brought together operationally within Nuclear Transport Solutions (NTS), an NDA division. DRS has maintained bases at Carlisle Kingmoor, Crewe Gresty Bridge and Motherwell. During the 2010s it modernised its locomotive fleet through the introduction of Class 68 and Class 88 locomotives, while later disposing of older locomotives, coaches and associated spares. Its business remains focused on safe specialist transport, commercial rail freight and the provision of traction and rail-operating expertise in Great Britain.
History
Direct Rail Services was formed in late 1994 by British Nuclear Fuels Ltd as a wholly owned rail subsidiary. Its creation was a response to the planned privatisation and breakup of British Rail. BNFL had depended on British Rail for nuclear-flask and nuclear-fuel movements, and established DRS so that specialist rail capability would remain available within the nuclear sector. The new company began with five refurbished Class 20/3 locomotives and initially operated from Sellafield. At first, DRS concentrated on transporting nuclear fuel rods from overseas locations to Sellafield for reprocessing. In 1998 it expanded into movements from domestic nuclear power stations, serving sites across England, Wales and Scotland. The work required specialised operating procedures and connected DRS closely with Britain’s nuclear-fuel and decommissioning network. The company diversified into general rail freight in 1997, initially winning a contract for milk traffic between Penrith and Cricklewood. In 1997 it also acquired six Class 37/6 locomotives formerly associated with Eurostar operations. During the following years DRS built a larger fleet of Class 37, Class 47 and other locomotives. In 2001 it acquired Class 33 locomotives, and in 2002 it began intermodal services from Grangemouth to Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal, carrying containers for customers including the Malcolm Group and Asda. DRS developed a significant role in logistics traffic during the 2000s. In 2006 it operated the Tesco Express service for Eddie Stobart Group, moving containers from Daventry towards Mossend and Inverness. Further Scottish services followed. Although some of this work temporarily moved to DB Schenker in 2010, parts returned to DRS operation in 2011. The Tesco relationship was later extended, and by 2022 DRS reported moving about 12,000 Tesco containers a month. Passenger and charter work became another part of the company’s activities. DRS refurbished Mark 3 coaches in 2007 and supported charter operations under the Stobart Rail banner. From 2009 it provided rescue and locomotive duties for National Express East Anglia and operated occasional services on the Wherry Lines. It also ran a temporary Cumbrian Coast service after flooding disrupted road access. In 2011 DRS began a five-year locomotive-haulage contract for the Northern Belle luxury train and by 2013 was operating around 140 passenger charters annually, many for that service. DRS later operated contracted Cumbrian Coast services for Northern and supplied Class 68 locomotives for Chiltern Railways from December 2014. It also provided passenger operations or traction for work associated with Abellio Greater Anglia and Abellio ScotRail. The Cumbrian Coast locomotive-hauled service ended in December 2018 when Class 156 multiple units replaced it; a commemorative charity service ran in January 2019. The company’s ownership changed on 1 April 2005, when it moved from BNFL to the newly created Nuclear Decommissioning Authority under the Energy Act 2004. In 2021, DRS became part of the NDA’s Nuclear Transport Solutions structure alongside International Nuclear Services and Pacific Nuclear Transport Limited. Its physical network expanded from Sellafield to Carlisle Kingmoor, which became its principal base in 1998, Crewe Gresty Bridge, opened in 2007, and Motherwell, used for inspection and refuelling. Fleet development accelerated during the 2010s. DRS acquired Class 57 locomotives and became the launch customer for the Class 68 in 2013, taking delivery of the first examples in 2014. It later introduced Class 88 dual-mode locomotives. Older Class 20, 37, 47 and 57 locomotives and Mark 2 coaches were progressively sold or withdrawn as part of fleet modernisation. Five Class 66 locomotives transferred to GB Railfreight at the end of 2022. DRS continues to combine nuclear transport with commercial freight and specialist rail-operating services in Great Britain.
- 2022
Fleet restructuring continues
[1]Five Class 66 locomotives transfer to GB Railfreight while DRS disposes of older rolling stock.
- 2021
Nuclear Transport Solutions structure begins
[1]DRS becomes operationally aligned with other NDA nuclear-transport companies under NTS.
- 2014
Class 68 passenger operations begin
[1]The first DRS-hauled Chiltern Railways service operates from London Marylebone.
- 2013
Class 68 and Class 88 programmes announced
[1]DRS becomes launch customer for the Class 68 and the Euro Dual-derived Class 88 family.
- 2007
Crewe Gresty Bridge depot opens
[1]DRS opens a second depot at the former wagon-works site at Crewe Gresty Bridge.
- 2005
Ownership transfers to the NDA
[1]DRS passes from BNFL to the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority after the NDA is established.
- 2002
Intermodal freight service begins
[1]DRS starts container services between Grangemouth and Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal.
- 1998
Domestic nuclear-fuel traffic begins
[1]The company takes over rail movements from several British nuclear power stations and relocates its main base to Carlisle Kingmoor.
- 1997
Diversification into commercial freight
[1]DRS begins hauling non-nuclear traffic, including a milk contract, and expands its locomotive resources.
- 1994
DRS is established by BNFL
[1]British Nuclear Fuels Ltd creates Direct Rail Services as an in-house rail freight subsidiary during the breakup and privatisation of British Rail.
Products and positioning
A publicly owned specialist rail operator combining nuclear-materials transport with commercial freight, traction and passenger-support services.
Specialist rail freight · 1994
Nuclear-materials rail transport
DRS’s founding and defining activity is the movement of nuclear fuel and related materials by rail. The service initially linked overseas fuel supplies with Sellafield and later expanded to fuel-rod movements from nuclear power stations across Great Britain. It operates within the wider publicly owned nuclear transport and decommissioning system.
Commercial rail freight · 1997
Intermodal container freight
DRS operates container trains for commercial customers and logistics partners. Services have included routes between Grangemouth and Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal and traffic serving Scotland. Customers and partners mentioned in the company’s history include Tesco, Eddie Stobart Group, the Malcolm Group and Asda.
Locomotive traction · 2014
Class 68 locomotive operations
The diesel-electric Class 68 became a major modern traction type for DRS. The company was its launch customer and used the locomotives for freight, charter and contracted passenger work, including services for Chiltern Railways and ScotRail-related operations.
Locomotive traction · 2017
Class 88 dual-mode locomotive operations
The Class 88 is a dual-mode locomotive derived from the Vossloh Euro Dual programme for which DRS was launch customer. It combines diesel capability with electric operation, supporting freight work on routes where overhead electrification is available.
Passenger rail services · 2007
Passenger and charter operations
DRS has provided locomotives, crews, coaches and operational support for charter and contracted passenger services. Examples include Northern Belle haulage, Cumbrian Coast services, Wherry Lines work, emergency substitute trains and traction for Chiltern Railways.
Brand decisions
2022
Modernise and rationalise the locomotive fleetGeneration changeBackground
DRS was disposing of older locomotives, coaches and spares as it moved toward a more modern fleet.
Action taken
Older Class 20, 37, 47 and 57 stock was progressively withdrawn or offered for disposal, and five Class 66 locomotives transferred to GB Railfreight.
Aftermath
The fleet became more concentrated on newer traction, including Class 68 and Class 88 locomotives.
2021
Integrate operations under Nuclear Transport SolutionsStrategyBackground
The NDA reorganised its nuclear transport-related companies to create a more coordinated operating structure.
Action taken
DRS began operating within Nuclear Transport Solutions alongside International Nuclear Services and Pacific Nuclear Transport Limited.
Aftermath
The reorganisation placed DRS within a unified NDA transport division while preserving its rail-operating role.
2020
Launch an electrified Daventry–Mossend freight routeProduct launchBackground
DRS sought to increase its commercial freight activity and use electric traction where the network permitted it.
Action taken
The company announced a new electrified freight route linking Daventry Freight Terminal with Mossend Yard near Glasgow.
Aftermath
The route supported DRS’s stated intention to grow its presence in the UK rail-freight sector, particularly in Scotland.
2013
Adopt Class 68 and Class 88 locomotive programmesProduct launchBackground
DRS sought newer and more flexible traction for freight, charter and passenger-support operations.
Action taken
It became launch customer for the Class 68 and the Vossloh Euro Dual-derived Class 88.
Aftermath
The two locomotive families became central to DRS’s modern fleet and supported later passenger and electrified-freight work.
2005
Transfer DRS to the Nuclear Decommissioning AuthorityStrategyBackground
The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority was created under the Energy Act 2004 to manage public-sector nuclear decommissioning responsibilities.
Action taken
Ownership of DRS moved from BNFL to the NDA on 1 April 2005.
Aftermath
DRS became part of the publicly owned nuclear decommissioning transport structure.
1994
Create an in-house nuclear rail operatorStrategyBackground
The impending dissolution of British Rail threatened to disrupt BNFL’s established arrangements for moving nuclear materials by rail.
Action taken
BNFL established Direct Rail Services as a wholly owned subsidiary with its own locomotives and operating capability.
Aftermath
DRS became a continuing specialist nuclear-freight operator and later diversified into commercial freight and passenger-support work.
Recent events
- 2022
Direct Rail Services and Tesco extend freight agreement[1]
Other
DRS and Tesco agreed a further three-year extension to their container-transport arrangement.
- 2022
Direct Rail Services transfers Class 66 locomotives to GBRf[1]
Other
Five Class 66 locomotives left DRS for GB Railfreight as part of a restructuring and modernisation of the DRS fleet.
- 2021
Nuclear Transport Solutions becomes DRS operating division[1]
Other
DRS, Pacific Nuclear Transport Limited and International Nuclear Services were brought together under the Nuclear Transport Solutions division of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority.
- 2014
Direct Rail Services launches Class 68-hauled Chiltern services[1]
Product launch
DRS supplied six Class 68 locomotives and related commissioning and maintenance support for Chiltern Railways express passenger services.
- 2013
Direct Rail Services selected as Class 68 launch operator[1]
Product launch · Product generation
DRS became the launch customer for the diesel-electric Class 68 locomotive, beginning a major modernisation of its traction fleet.
- 2013
Direct Rail Services announces Class 88 launch partnership[1]
Product launch · Product generation
The company was announced as launch customer for the Vossloh Euro Dual, later introduced in Britain as the Class 88 dual-mode locomotive.
- 2009
Direct Rail Services starts Cumbrian Coast emergency service[1]
Other
Following flood damage to a road bridge, DRS operated a temporary passenger service between Maryport and Workington using locomotive-hauled coaches.
- 1998
Direct Rail Services begins domestic nuclear-fuel movements[1]
Other
DRS assumed movements of nuclear fuel rods from a number of British nuclear power stations, expanding its role beyond overseas-to-Sellafield traffic.
Sources1 sources
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