Colas Rail Secures ECML Contract for Dedicated Thunderbird Locomotives

Colas Rail UK’s Freight division has secured a new contract with Network Rail to provide dedicated “Thunderbird” Rescue and Recovery Locomotives along the East Coast Main Line between London and Newcastle.

Under the agreement, which begins in January 2026, two Class 67 locomotives will be stationed at Newark Northgate Sidings to respond to broken down passenger and freight trains. The initial contract runs for three years, with the possibility of a three-year extension.

Sep Semsarzadeh, Freight Operations Director at Colas Rail, said:

“We are honoured and excited to work for Network Rail Eastern Region to provide dedicated and 24/7 rescue and recovery services on the busy East Coast Mainline, and between London and Newcastle. Our Class 67s and pool of drivers will be on hand to deploy promptly from Newark Northgate Siding when and if required, to support various FOCs and TOCs.”

Network Rail’s Head of Procurement and Commercial Strategy, Geoff Hibberd, added:

“We’re pleased to award this contract to Colas Rail, providing a dedicated rescue and recovery service along the East Coast Main Line. Keeping trains moving safely and reliably is essential for passenger and freight trains, so maintaining robust plans for incidents is key. The deployment of Class 67 locomotives from Newark will strengthen our resilience on one of the country’s busiest routes.”

The contract highlights ongoing efforts to improve reliability and rapid response capabilities on one of the UK’s most heavily trafficked rail corridors.

Image: Colas Rail