‘Tesco Extra’ service returns to DRS
By: Web Editor
It seems to have been on the cards for some time but finally Direct Rail Services has reclaimed one of the prestigious Stobart Rail ‘Tesco’ trains from the clutches of rival DB Schenker.
The Carlisle-based operator will be enjoying the publicity that comes from winning back what RAIL EXPRESS dubbed the ‘Tesco Extra’ (to complement the original West Coast ‘Tesco Express’ service) with DRS Class 66/4s returning to the head of the train from April 25. There are some minor diagram changes from when the company first began running this additional leg in 2008, with the 4Z48 from Inverness now running straight to Mossend, for DBS to take forward for the journey to England. The previous destination was Grangemouth. Appropriately, for the first few days of operation, Kingmoor provided No. 66414 James the Engine, which no doubt went down well with the customer, which has rarely seen Stobart-liveried machines on its own trains in the last year and a quarter (DBS’ No. 66048 having crashed out on only its second trip in its new colours). On day two of the new order, April 26, James provides the perfect corporate image as it thunders through Greenfoot with the 4Z48. Three days earlier, No. 66102 had worked the last 4D47 Inverness to Mossend for DB Schenker.
Alastair Blackwood
0 Responses to “‘Tesco Extra’ service returns to DRS”
Comments
Please login or register to post a comment
Current Issue: June 2012
• Welcome back!
Class 26 No. 26038 returns to service – after a 20-year gap
• Colas Rail wins first contracts in Scotland – moving oil to Linkswood and Prestwick
• Railway Vehicle Preservation to build 1960s-style brake tender on GCR
• New series
Box-to-Box: The signalboxes on The Blyth & Tyne Line
• Eastleigh Renaissance – how this famous works has seen a remarkable revival
• National Railway Museum’s ‘Deltic’ No. 55002 to be tested at 60mph on East Lancashire Railway
PLUS:
• Next issue on sale: 21 June 2012