31.01.03

BNFL owned specialist rail haulier Direct Rail Services (DRS) has today signed a landmark deal to lease ten brand new “class 66 “ locomotives with Porterbrook.

The deal has been struck on the back of increasing demand for DRS high quality, tailor made services. Managing Director, Neil McNicholas said today:

“By bringing in this new additional capacity with more powerful traction, we will be able to expand the range of services we can offer to the market and take advantage of a number of exciting business opportunities.”

Keith Howard, Commercial Director of Porterbrook said

“We are delighted to be able to provide DRS with a brand new fleet of Class 66 general purpose freight locomotives. This order means that Porterbrook has now supplied sixty six of these locomotives to various freight operators across the European Union. It also brings the total Porterbrook investment in new freight equipment to over £200m since 1996”.

Since being established in 1995, the Carlisle based operator has developed a reputation for excellent performance using completely refurbished locos. Some of the fleet of class 20s date back to the 1950s, when steam trains were commonplace on the country’s railways - a tribute to the company’s engineering ability.

DRS characteristic blue and green locomotives have developed a strong following amongst rail enthusiasts, who will continue to be able to spot them throughout the country - the new additions to the fleet will provide more flexibility for the expanding workload.

The 10 locomotives are set to arrive at a Workington later this year from Canada, painted in a new DRS livery, carrying fleet numbers 66801 - 66810

- Ends -

Notes to Editors

• Porterbrook Leasing Company Limited (“Porterbrook”) is a leading player in the rail leasing market.
• Porterbrook has a rolling stock fleet of over 5,500 vehicles on lease or on order, which includes about 4,000 passenger vehicles. These are supplied under operating leases to 18 of the 25 Train Operating Companies (TOCs) within the UK. The company also provides ongoing train and tram maintenance services.
• Porterbrook has been highly successful in winning new train orders since privatisation, with over £1.5 billion in new business won - investing in over 1,400 new passenger vehicles and over 1,100 new freight locomotives and wagons, and in the refurbishment of much of its in-fleet equipment.
• In April 2000 the Porterbrook group of companies was acquired by Abbey National Treasury Services plc, part of the Abbey National Group.

For further information about Porterbrook contact Rupert Brennan Brown, Head of Communications on 01332 263251 (m: 07799 337052)