Direct Rail Services (DRS) has introduced a new cross-country rail freight service linking Daventry with Coatbridge, covering a 330-mile route across England and Scotland. The service, initially launched as a trial, is the fourth Anglo-Scottish operation run by DRS and offers new opportunities for businesses to move goods by rail.

Powered by DRS’s environmentally friendly Class 88 locomotives, the service is designed to reduce road congestion and carbon emissions. Each train can remove around 30 HGVs from the roads, providing a greener alternative for freight transport.

Gottfried Eymer, Managing Director for Rail at NTS, said:

“This new service is a fantastic opportunity for those who have considered rail but are yet to make the switch from road. One of the key benefits of this service is that it will run on electricity and produce no exhaust emissions, which is fantastic for the environment. Each train can take around 30 HGVs off the roads. The unique feature of this train is that it is made up of goods from multiple customers, making it ideal for businesses that would like to benefit from rail but lack the volumes to justify their own train.”

The service is expected to attract new rail freight customers who may not have enough cargo to operate a full train independently, offering a sustainable, efficient alternative for cross-country logistics.

Image: Direct Rail Services