DCRail enter new long-term servicing deal with UKRL

11 July, 2024

UKRL will undertake all servicing on DCRail’s Class 60 locomotives for the next three years Photo: Rob Reedman

Companies agree new three-year Class 60 heavy-freight locomotive servicing contract

DCRail, a leading provider of bulk freight services, have entered a new three-year locomotive servicing contract with Leicester-based UKRL. With a fleet of Class 60 heavy-freight locomotives, DCRail provide services to leading suppliers and users of construction and industrial minerals.

The Derby-based business, part of the Cappagh Group of Companies, has entered the agreement with UKRL to undertake all servicing on its Class 60 locomotives. The regular examinations will be undertaken at the Leicester depot where UKRL undertake maintenance, overnight servicing, train care, and fuelling for a number of rail vehicle types. The contract is a development of the previous agreement that had been in place since April 2022.

David Fletcher, director for rail for the Cappagh Group of Companies, said: ‘I am very pleased that our relationship with UKRL continues to flourish. Over the last two years we have worked together to maximize the availability of our locomotive fleet with the regular ‘B’ exams now being undertaken in under seven days and overall fleet availability increased to over 90%.

‘This is a remarkable achievement on a small fleet of locomotives for which we plan 75% availability. The ability to minimize fleet downtime means that DCRail can offer customers efficient supply chain solutions, reducing carbon emissions and assisting the move to net zero.

‘The businesses have worked together to bring a wide range of improvements to the fleet ranging from LED lighting to electronic governors. I would particularly like to thank the engineering teams at DCRail and UKRL for all the hard work that continues to go into developing this successful partnership.’

Gareth Roberts, managing director of UKRL, said: ‘The signing of this contract builds upon a long and collaborative relationship between our respective teams. Together we’ve not only undertaken core maintenance, but also increased asset availability by significantly reducing downtime. This partnership spirit, underpinned by unrivalled expertise, is now driving a joint focus on adding additional value and capacity to DCRail operations.’