DRS Hosts Nighttime Charity Photoshoot on Cumbrian Coast Line

Direct Rail Services (DRS) hosted a unique charity event on the Cumbrian Coast Line, offering rail enthusiasts a rare opportunity to photograph one of its Class 68 locomotives alongside all 25 of its JNA wagons.

The event, held on 18 December 2025 just outside Maryport, marked the first time a stationary photoshoot was organised on the main line at night. Visitors contributed to Eden Valley Hospice in exchange for access to a private viewing area, safely positioned away from the tracks while the train remained stopped for 10 minutes to allow photography.

DRS coordinated with Network Rail to ensure the operation ran smoothly and on schedule, with floodlights illuminating the train and surrounding area to create an ideal setting. The event successfully raised £580 for Eden Valley Hospice, which provides specialist care for adults in north Cumbria with life-limiting conditions and is a cause close to many at DRS.

The JNA wagons, used to carry bulk aggregate, have also been employed in DRS’s work with Nuclear Waste Services’ Low Level Waste Repository site in Cumbria. Their use has replaced thousands of lorry journeys, saving hundreds of tonnes of CO2 emissions.

Joseph Nicholson, DRS Operations Planner and organiser of the event, said:

“This was a fantastic opportunity to raise money for Eden Valley Hospice and also show off how brilliant our trains look at night. Many people thought it couldn’t be done, but everyone came together to make it such a success. I would like to thank Network Rail, the landowner, and all my DRS colleagues.”

Image: Direct Rail Services