Tag: db schenker

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Disused Diesel Locos

Whilst out and about on business, I recently passed one of the largest railway depots in the UK.

Toton yard and depot is a huge location and is home to the DB Schenker Rail (UK) heavy maintenance facility. DB Schenker is part of the Deutchse Bahn German national railway operator.

The size of the yard reflects the one time massive flows of coal from the Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire coalfields to the Midlands power stations.

As the British coal industry declined, so did the fortunes of the yard and associated loco fleets based there.

Add into this mix the privatisation of the British railway network and the ensuing rationalisation of freight flows, the yard is a shadow of its former self.

There are still dozens of locos to see, but the sheer volume of trains, and operational yard space has declined significantly.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Abandoned Class 60s

One of the first things to strike any viewer at this location is the massive line of disused diesel locos slowly rusting away.

In the title picture there are 31 disused and abandoned locos in the line.

These class 60 locos were built by Brush Traction at Loughborough for British Rail between 1989 and 1993.[/vc_column_text][vc_masonry_media_grid item=”2915″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1454863871415-791a16c7-980a-0″ include=”9411,9409,9408,9407,9405,9406″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Somethings Got To Be Wrong?

Seeing this long line of disused locos gets me thinking that something has to be wrong with the British railway method of operation.

Simply seeing all these locos rotting away juxtaposed against the non stop flow of heavy lorries witnessed on the M1 not 10 mins prior begs many questions.

I am just a photographer and document what I see, but something has to be wrong.

Too many lorries on the road and loads of locos laying idle is not right. The relevant costings and bureaucracies must need amending to ease the load on our roads.

Why aren’t these locos being offered to other operators that may have use for them. Surely in a truly ‘competitive arena’ such as a privatised railway, companies shouldn’t be able to sit on dozens of unused locos. If they are not needed they should be offered to others that could use them.

Is the ‘competitive arena’ of British railways completely broken? Is there any ‘real’ competition at all?

Is this scene reflective of the actual reality of Britains privatised railway? A large rail operator with an ability to sit on dozens of unneeded locos could easily prevent smaller ‘competition’ from winning any new traffic.

This may make business sense for the company involved but is it in the National Interest?

I’m not sure but, looking at the bigger picture, something is broken with British railways.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

More Railway Editorial Pictures

Anyway, enough of the politics I’m getting a headache!

The full set of pictures taken on this visit are available to view and licence on Alamy. If you are interested, follow the link to my full railway picture collection. Alternatively you can view my latest editorial pictures. 

Thanks for reading and feel free to leave your views

All the best

Gary[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator color=”sky” el_width=”80″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_cta h2=”Subscribe to GDMK Images” txt_align=”center” add_button=”bottom” btn_title=”Sign me up I want to know about new pics and articles!” btn_custom_background=”#0098da” btn_custom_text=”#fffffd” btn_link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Fstaging.gdmkimages.co.uk%2Fsubscribe-gdmk-images-newsletters%2F|title:Subscribe%20and%20get%20first%20shout%20about%20new%20pics%20and%20articles!|”]Subscribe and get first shout when new articles and editorial pictures are added![/vc_cta][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

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