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.
History
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.
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.
LNWR Heritage Ltd
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.
Locomotive Diesels Ltd
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]
Locomotive Storage Ltd
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]
Train operating company
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]
The Royal Scot Locomotive and General Trust owns several locomotives that are now available to be operated by Locomotive Services.
The Steam Dreams Rail Company
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.
Fleet
The Crewe-based fleet includes steam, diesel and electric locomotives.
Steam 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.
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]
Operational. Used as a pilot at the LNWR Heritage site.
Mainline Diesels
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.
Static Display. Acquired from former owners alongside 55022 for use on mainline railtours.[44] 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.[43]
Sold to GWR for spares for their Class 57/6 fleet; the body shell was sold to and broken up by Watsons and Sons, Stafford July 2023[45][full citation needed]
Purchased for display at Margate. Will undergo a cosmetic restoration before being placed on display. Will be overhauled at a later date for use on future Locomotive Services run railtours.[citation needed]
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]
Class 43 (HST) Power Cars
Locomotive Services own 9 class 43 powercars, with 7 currently in service. All powercars are used/to be used on the Midland Pullman luxury train service, with the exception of 43083.
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.[47][48] One of two powercars fitted with a generator in the baggage compartment, used to power the fridges on the Pullman set.
Operational, mainline registered. Acquired from Porterbrook in 2021 following its withdrawal from service with East Midlands Railway in 2020. Repainted into Midland Pullman livery in 2023.
Operational, mainline registered. Acquired from Porterbrook in April 2024 following its withdrawal from service with East Midlands Railway in 2020. Repainted into Midland Pullman livery in 2024.[49]
Damaged at Princess Risborough April 2022.[50] Designated by Locomotive Services Ltd as Stored October 2024.[51]
43055
-
Blue Pullmans|Midland Pullman blue and white
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.[47][48] One of two powercars fitted with a generator in the baggage compartment, used to power the fridges on the Pullman set.
Operational, mainline registered. Named and repainted into Midland Pullman livery at Arlington Fleet Services, September 2024.[52] Acquired from Porterbrook in 2020 following its withdrawal from service with East Midlands Railway.
43059
-
Operational, mainline registered. Acquired from Porterbrook in 2020 following their 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.
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.[53]
On long-term loan to Locomotive Services from 2018.
Owned by Crewe DPG. Used with the matching Scotrail push-pull set.[54]
D1966
47828
-
BR Inter-City
D05 Preservation Ltd.
Operational, mainline registered. Currently on hire to Locomotive Services from its owners following the termination of its contract with West Coast Railways.
Operational. Acquired from Chiltern Railways following withdrawal from service. A heavily modified example which forms part of the chairman's private fleet.
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.[57]
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.[58]