Direct Rail Services‘ open day at Kingmoor depot outside Carlisle was a huge success, attracting over 1,500 attendees for a family-friendly event that raised over £65,000 for charity.

Held on Saturday 6th July, the day featured activities like sitting in a locomotive cab, engine displays, a nameplate auction, and kids’ activities.

Two locomotives were named during the event. Class 66 locomotive No.66429, was named “Charlie Birse” in honour of a dedicated DRS employee who passed away last year.

Seth Kybird, NTS CEO gave a tribute to Charlie recollecting his life as an Engineering Team Leader and TSSA union representative, he had a 23 year career at DRS until his sudden death in 2023.

Another class 66 locomotive No.66431, was named “Kingmoor TMD.” This was named and unveiled by Gottfried Eymer, NTS Managing Director for Rail and David Peattie, Nuclear Decommissioning Authority CEO.

“It was such a great day for all of our guests, it’s a rare opportunity to show people how a rail depot works and get up close to the fantastic locomotives we have.

“We’re really proud of the work we do and to be able to share that with so many enthusiastic people was fantastic to see.

“I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who came along and all of our staff volunteers for making the event such a special day.”

Gottfried Eymer, NTS Managing Director for Rail

The event was a memorable occasion for both families and rail enthusiasts being able to access at close quarters 18 different diesel locomotives from classes 57, 66, 68 & 88, a snowplough and two MK2 coaches, while celebrating the contributions of DRS employees and supporting good causes across the UK.

For those that couldn’t make the event, below is a list of locomotives and rolling stock that was on display at Kingmoor on Saturday 6th July:

• 57309 ‘Pride of Crewe’
• 66421 ‘Gresty Bridge TMD’
• 66424 ‘Driver Paul Scrivens 1969-2021’
• 66429 newly named ‘Charlie Birse’
• 66431 newly named ‘Kingmoor TMD’
• 68001 ‘Evolution’
• 68006 ‘Pride of the North’
• 68007 ‘Valiant’
• 68016 ‘Fearless’
• 68017 ‘Hornet’
• 68019 ‘Ex-Brutus’
• 68021 ‘Ex-Tireless’
• 68024 ‘Ex-Centaur’
• 68025 ‘Ex-Superb’
• 68033 ‘The Poppy’
• 68034 ‘Rail Riders 2020’
• 88005 ‘Minerva’
• 88008 ‘Ariadne’
• ABD 965210 Snowplough
• 9506 Mk2 Coach
• 9508 Mk2 Coach