Founded | 2018 |
---|---|
Headquarters | , England |
Area served | Great Britain |
Services | Train operating company |
Owner | Jeremy Hosking[1] |
Website | www.locomotiveservices.co.uk |
Locomotive Services Limited[2] is a train operating company in Great Britain. The company operates rail tours using heritage steam, diesel and electric locomotives with support from associated companies and trusts.
In August 2017, Locomotive Services Limited (LSL) was granted an operating licence by the Office of Rail & Road allowing it to operate mainline trains in the United Kingdom.[3] Based at Crewe Diesel TMD, it is owned by Jeremy Hosking. It operated its first tour from Crewe to Kingussie in March 2018.[4]
It built up a fleet of Class 08s, 37s and 47s, mainly acquired from Direct Rail Services.[5] In December 2017, it purchased two Class 55s: D9000 and D9016.[6][7] The former is being restored at Locomotive Services' Crewe depot, whilst the latter has been cosmetically restored and transferred to the company's One:One Collection facility in Margate.
In August 2018, preserved Class 40 D213 Andania joined Locomotive Services on a three-year lease. In 2020, a Class 86, Class 87, two Class 90s and an InterCity 125 set were purchased.[8]
Hosking formed Locomotive Services under Royal Scot Locomotive and General Trust (RSLGT), a company dedicated to the maintenance and operation of steam locomotives owned by the trust, and also a number of other engines owned by Hosking. The company initially operated from a main base at Southall Railway Centre and also a summer outpost at Bristol Barton Hill.
In 2013, RSLGT acquired LNWR Heritage, a company specialising in the overhaul and restoration of steam locomotives, from Pete Waterman. Subsequently, merged into Locomotive Services in 2015, RSLGT came to an agreement with Network Rail to lease the former Crewe TMD close to LNWR Heritage's former base, which resultantly became Locomotive Services' main base. Having previously had locomotive overhauls undertaken by various companies across the UK, investment in Crewe TMD allows Locomotive Services to fully restore and maintain RSLGT's locomotive and coaching stock.
Already formed under Locomotive Services to handle operations and maintenance of RSLGT's stock of Class 47 locomotives, which were purchased to assist and move both steam locomotives and coaching stock around the UK network, the division took more prominence after Hosking agreed to acquire two Class 55 Deltic locomotives in November 2017.[9] In January 2018, Locomotive Services announced that they had taken out a three-year loan agreement on a Class 40 locomotive D213 to operate on the mainline in the later half of 2018.[10]
After acquiring the former Hornby factory in Margate, Kent, the Trust formed Locomotive Storage Ltd, to enable safe and weather-secure storage of locomotives awaiting overhaul, away from the busy main site at Crewe. After refurbishment and the installation of seven tracks (the site is only accessible by road), the first stock to arrive on the site was a Class 503 in May 2018,[11] followed by former LNER Class A4 4464 Bittern on 1 June 2018.[12]
In August 2017, the associated company Locomotive Services (TOC) Ltd obtained the required certifications, licence and agreements to become a UK train operating company (TOC) enabling the company to operate trains on the mainline network.[13] The first tour was operated from Crewe to Kingussie in March 2018.[4] It subsequently created the associated company Saphos Trains which runs tours and excursions, starting and ending mainly at present from Crewe railway station. Two Class 90s and an InterCity 125 set were purchased from Porterbrook.[6]
Main article: Royal Scot Locomotive and General Trust |
The Royal Scot Locomotive and General Trust owns several locomotives that are now available to be operated by Locomotive Services.
In June 2022, it was announced that Locomotive Services had purchased Steam Dreams and LNER Thompson Class B1 61306 from former owner David Buck.[14] Steam Dreams now operates under the LSL umbrella, with the operator continuing to operate its own tours too.
The Crewe-based fleet includes steam, diesel and electric locomotives.
Not all steam locomotives listed below are owned by RSLGT/Locomotive Services, as some are operating with Locomotive Services under an agreement. Not all are also mainline certified so are restricted to 25 mph on heritage railways, mainline permitted speed listed below.
Number | Name | Class | Livery | Owner | Tops No | Air Brks | Location | Photograph | Present Status | Mainline Certified | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
4270 | GWR 4200 Class 2-8-0 | GWR Lined Green | Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway | [15] | |||||||
5029 | Nunney Castle | GWR "Castle" 4-6-0 | N/A | LNWR Heritage, Crewe | Under Overhaul[16] | Overhaul anticipated for completion in late 2024.[17] | |||||
6024 | King Edward I | GWR "King" 4-6-0 | BR Green, Late Crest (on completion) | Royal Scot Locomotive and General Trust | 98824 | Yes | LNWR Heritage, Crewe | Under Overhaul | On completion of overhaul |
Maintained and operated by 6024 Preservation Society.[18][19] | |
6960 | Raveningham Hall | GWR Modified Hall 4-6-0 | GWR Lined Green | 98560 | No | One:One Collection | Awaiting overhaul | Boiler ticket expired July 2021. Moved to Margate in September 2021[20][21] | |||
35022 | Holland America Line | SR "Merchant Navy" 4-6-2 | N/A | Royal Scot Locomotive and General Trust | 98822 | N/A | LNWR Heritage, Crewe | Stored | No | Awaiting restoration from scrapyard condition.[22] | |
35027 | Port Line | SR "Merchant Navy" 4-6-2 | BR Green, Late Crest | Royal Scot Locomotive and General Trust | 98827 | N/A | LNWR Heritage, Crewe | Stored | No | Awaiting major overhaul. To be fitted with boiler from 35022.[23][24] | |
45231 | The Sherwood Forester | LMS Stanier Class 5 4-6-0 | BR Black, Late Crest | 98531 | Yes | LNWR Heritage, Crewe[25] | Operational | Yes (2013 - ongoing) | |||
46100 | Royal Scot | LMS "Royal Scot" 4-6-0 | BR Green, Early Emblem | Royal Scot Locomotive and General Trust | 98702 | Yes | LNWR Heritage, Crewe | Operational | Yes (2016 - ongoing) | [26] | |
60007 | Sir Nigel Gresley | LNER A4 4-6-2 | BR Blue[27] | Sir Nigel Gresley Locomotive Trust | 98898 | Yes | LNWR Heritage, Crewe[28] | Operational | Yes (2022 - ongoing) | On ten-year partnership with SNGLT.[29]
Worked inaugural post overhaul railtour on 21 May 2022.[30] | |
60019 | Bittern | LNER A4 4-6-2 | LNER Garter Blue | 98819 | Yes | One:One Collection | Static Display | No | Currently stored at Margate.[31]
Planned to be moved to North Yorkshire for overhaul in 2024.[32] | ||
60532 | Blue Peter | LNER A2 4-6-2 | BR Blue[33] | Royal Scot Locomotive and General Trust | 98832 | Yes | LNWR Heritage, Crewe | Operational | Yes (2024 - ongoing) | 60532 made its debut return to the mainline in May 2024 undertaking its loaded test run on 02/05/24.[34] | |
61306 | Mayflower | LNER B1 4-6-0 | BR Apple Green | Locomotive Services Group | 98506 | Yes | Southall MPD | Operational | Yes (2019 - ongoing) | Acquired in June 2022 from David Buck.[14] | |
70000 | Britannia | BR Standard Class 7 4-6-2 | BR Green, Late Crest | Royal Scot Locomotive and General Trust | 98700 | Yes | LNWR Heritage, Crewe | Operational | Yes (2022 - ongoing) | Withdrawn for repairs to motion following failure of its crosshead on 22 August 2023.[35]
Returned to service in March 2024 following completion of repairs.[36] | |
71000 | Duke of Gloucester | BR Standard Class 8 4-6-2 | BR Green, Late Crest[citation needed] | BR Class 8 Steam Locomotive Trust | 98800 | Yes | Tyseley Locomotive Works | Under Overhaul | No, to be certified | In February 2024, it was announced that the BR Class 8 Steam Locomotive Trust & the Royal Scot Locomotive & General Trust had formed a partnership that will see the operation of 71000 on the mainline after its overhaul is complete.[37] |
The locomotives owned by Locomotive Services Ltd and Royal Scot Locomotive and General Trust are listed below.
Note: Marked names indicate that the loco is not presently wearing them.
Loco numbers in bold mean their current number.
Class | Pre-TOPS Number | TOPS Number | Name | Livery | Owner | Image | Currently based at | Current status |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Class 08 | D3798 | 08631 | - | BR Blue | Locomotive Services Ltd | LNWR Heritage, Crewe | Operational. Returned to Crewe following contract repair work undertaken by RMS Locotec.[38] Use as a pilot at the LNWR Heritage site. |
The operational mainline diesel fleet is entirely based at Crewe Diesel Depot. Some locomotives are off site either in storage, on hire or under restoration.
Class | Pre-TOPS Number | TOPS Number | Name | Livery | Owner | Image | Currently based at | Current status |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Class 37 | D6968 | 37401 | Mary Queen of Scots | BR Large Logo Blue | Locomotive Services Ltd | LNWR Heritage, Crewe | Acquired in December 2023 from DRS. Will return to operation after a major exam.[39] | |
D6970 | 37409 | - | ScotRail[40] | Operational, mainline registered. Returned to service in 2023. | ||||
Class 45 | D67 | 45118 | The Royal Artilleryman | BR Blue | Royal Scot Locomotive and General Trust | Barrow Hill[41] | First test run completed as of 4/7/2024. Full mainline operation for tours will start on 27/7/2024[citation needed] | |
Class 55 | D9016 | 55016 | Gordon Highlander | BR Green | Locomotive Services Ltd | One:One Collection[citation needed] |
Static Display. Acquired from former owners alongside 55022 for use on mainline railtours.[42] Select parts on loco (traction motors, engine, etc.) were taken off 55016 to be used on 55022 to return the engine to service. Following a cosmetic overhaul the engine was moved to the One:One Collection museum in Margate where it will be placed on display awaiting its turn in the overhaul queue.[citation needed] | |
D9000 | 55022 | Royal Scots Grey | LNWR Heritage, Crewe | Operational, mainline registered. Returned to service in September 2022 following overhaul.[citation needed] | ||||
Class 73 | E6001 | 73001 | - | BR Blue | Ecclesbourne Valley Railway[43] | Purchased from the Dean Forest Railway in 2019 for a potential return to mainline service. Currently on hire to the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway.[citation needed] |
Locomotive Services own 7 class 43 powercars, with 5 currently in service. All powercars are used/to be used on the Midland Pullman luxury train service, with the exception of 43083.
Class | TOPS Number | Name | Livery | Owner | Image | Currently based at | Current status |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Class 43 | 43046 | Geoff Drury 1930 – 1999 Steam Preservation and Computerised Track Recording Pioneer |
Midland Pullman blue and white | Locomotive Services Ltd | LNWR Heritage, Crewe | Operational, mainline registered. One of the first two powercars to be restored as part of a recreation of the Blue Pullman train for charter use.[44][45] One of two powercars fitted with a generator in the baggage compartment, used to power the fridges on the Pullman set.
Acquired from Porterbrook in 2020 following its withdrawal from service with East Midlands Railway. | |
43055 | - | Operational, mainline registered. One of the first two powercars to be restored as part of a recreation of the Blue Pullman train for charter use.[44][45] One of two powercars fitted with a generator in the baggage compartment, used to power the fridges on the Pullman set.
Acquired from Porterbrook in 2020 following its withdrawal from service with East Midlands Railway. |
Not all diesel locomotives used by Locomotive Services are owned by them, some are on loan to the company for use on railtours. The privately owned locos are listed below.
Bold = Current number
Class | Pre-TOPS Number | TOPS Number | Name | Livery | Owner | Image | Currently based at | Current status |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Class 40 | D213 | 40013 | Andania | BR Green | Private Owner | LNWR Heritage, Crewe |
Operational, mainline registered. Recently returned to service following an overhaul and power unit replacement. After being located at Barrow Hill Engine Shed, the engine was moved to Crewe Diesel Depot in July 2018 for fitment of AWS, TPWS, On-Train Monitoring Recorder and GSM-R.[46] On long term loan to Locomotive Services from 2018. | |
Class 47 | D1948 | 47712 | Lady Diana Spencer | BR Scotrail Blue | Crewe Diesel Preservation Group | Owned by Crewe DPG. Used with the matching Scotrail push-pull set.[47] |
Bold = Current number
Class | Pre-TOPS Number | TOPS Number | Name | Livery | Owner | Image | Currently based at | Current status |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Class 141 | - | 141108 | - | BR Blue & Grey | Locomotive Services Ltd | Eastleigh Works |
Purchased for display at One:One Collection.[48] The unit is currently stored awaiting a cosmetic restoration prior to its transfer to Margate. |
Bold = Current number
Class | Pre-TOPS Number | TOPS Number | Name | Livery | Owner | Image | Current location | Current status |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Class 86 | E3191 | 86101 | Sir William A Stanier FRS | InterCity Swallow | Locomotive Services Ltd | LNWR Heritage, Crewe |
Operational, mainline registered. Previously used on Caledonian Sleeper trains which included bringing in the empty coaches to London Euston and Wembley Intercity Depot, as well as between Glasgow Central and Polmadie TRSMD and also on occasion taking the Caledonian Sleeper along the West Coast Main Line to Scotland. Both were purchased from AC Locomotive Group by Locomotive Services in November 2019 for use on future charter trains.[49] | |
86201 | ||||||||
Class 87 | - | 87002 | Royal Sovereign | |||||
Class 89 | 89001 | Avocet | AC Locomotive Group | Brush Works, Loughborough |
Under overhaul. Locomotive Services entered a partnership with the owners of 89001 in December 2021 which will see its overhaul through to completion, before operating the locomotive for a period of five years.[50] |
LSL provides locomotives, stock and crews for railtour organisers. LSL acts as train operating company to the following companies: