Virgin Trains has signed a deal with Direct Rail Services Limited (DRSL) for the provision of a Class 90 locomotive for sole use on their MK III set.
The locomotive, which will be sourced from DB Schenker, will be attached to the MK III set at all times with planned work on Thursday and Fridays. It will be on standby at all other times and also available for Virgin Trains growing charter business.
The deal runs for an initial two years, with a 12 month review, the locomotive swapping over every 30 days for maintenance.
The plan is to have a dedicated locomotive – 90034. This is currently under test and is due to visit Toton for a repaint into DRS livery. All being well it will be available from February 4.
WB64 works a planned diagram of 1G40 1903 Euston Birmingham and 1B94 2050 Birmingham – Euston every Thursday and Friday.
Report by Jonathan Webb
