Today (March 23), DRS 68020-022 arrived by ship at the Port of Workington, becoming the first new Class 68 locomotives to have been delivered in 2016. At the moment of writing, the first locomotive had already been unloaded. Transfer of the locomotives is scheduled for tomorrow.

With the delivery of 68020-68022, the second batch of Class 68 locomotives ordered by DRS through Beacon Rail Leasing is almost complete. Of this batch, only three locomotive still have to be delivered: 68023-025. When completed, first the delivery of the third batch of locomotives will commence (68026-32), followed by the ten Class 88 electro-diesels that are based on the Class 68.

(Brian Garvin / Howard Lewsey)