Once again this year, Direct Rail Services (DRS), which is part of Nuclear Transport Solutions (NTS), will be holding a charity open day.

The ever-popular event will take place on Saturday, 6 July 2024, from 10 am to 4 pm at the Kingmoor Depot of Direct Rail Services.

The open day is an ideal opportunity to have a look behind the scenes at one of the country’s leading rail freight operators.

There promises to be something for all the family.

Visitors will have a rare chance to look around the company’s maintenance depot in Carlisle and climb into the cab of a variety of locomotives and imagine they are the driver whilst sitting in the driver’s seat

A number of industry experts will be on hand to answer visitors’ questions, with the highlight of the day promising to be naming ceremonies for the company’s locomotives and the unveiling of their new nameplates.

Admission prices are very reasonable, with free admission for under 16s, and tickets for adults costing £7.13, which includes a booking fee, of which £5 will be donated to aid UK charities and other deserving community causes.

Although there is free admission for 16s, they must have an entrance ticket and be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Entrance tickets cannot be purchased on the day, but must be bought in advance from Eventbrite. Although Eventbrite charges a booking fee, all of the £5 ticket price will go towards Direct Rail Services’ sponsorship and donation fund.

For anyone wishing to exhibit at the Open Day, there is still plenty of time to book a space. All enquiries about booking a space at the event should email [email protected]

Last year, Direct Rail Services decided that to spend more time planning the events, its open days would be held once every two years.

Its last Open Day was held in 2022 at the company’s Gresty Bridge rail depot in Crewe, where over 3,500 people took advantage of a rare chance to see operations at a rail depot from close quarters.

That event was held on Saturday 16th July, and raised nearly £40,000. Although gates did not open until 10 am, visitors started queuing from 8 am.

I’m thrilled that we’re able to host the fantastic open day this year. This will be my first open day and I am very excited to welcome guests to this wonderful family experience.

The money raised from the open day goes to help charities, community projects and good causes across the country and we’re really proud of the support we provide through this fabulous event.

Gottfried Eymer, Managing Director of Rail at Nuclear Transport Solutions