Class 88 Direct Rail Services 88010 Aurora Tesco Freight Train

Описание: Short video of a Class 88 Locomotive pulling Tesco Freight. This is 88010 Aurora Direct Rail Services loco. This was filmed at Stafford Train Station on Saturday 7th February 2026
The British Rail Class 88 is a type of mainline mixed traffic electro-diesel locomotive manufactured by Vossloh España/Stadler Rail Valencia for Direct Rail Services (DRS) in the United Kingdom. The locomotive is part of the Stadler Euro Dual family. It is the first dual-mode locomotive in the UK to use the 25 kV AC electrification.
Amid the fulfillment of DRS' order for the Class 68, Vossloh's team proposed the development of a dual-mode locomotive that could be alternatively powered by an onboard diesel engine or via electricity supplied from overhead lines (OHLE). Having been impressed by the concept, DRS opted to place an order for ten Class 88s during September 2013. Having been developed alongside the Class 68, considerable similarities are shared between the two locomotives, amounting to roughly 70 per cent of all components being shared.
Testing of the first Class 88 was undertaken at the Velim Test Centre in the Czech Republic during 2016; these trials proved to be relatively smooth. During July 2016, 88001 made the type's first official public appearance. During January 2017, 88002 Prometheus was the first Class 88 to be delivered to the UK. All ten Class 88 locomotives were delivered by March 2017. During June 2017, the type entered regular service with DRS; examples have been typically used to haul freight trains, although they are also fitted for hauling passenger services as well
DRS has procured the Class 88 to serve as a mixed-traffic locomotive, capable of operating both passenger and freight services. Primarily, the type has been used by DRS to haul freight using electric locomotives without the need to hire in electric traction from other operators.As with the Class 68, they are also capable of operating passenger trains.
Even prior to the type entering service, it was decided that the first duty of DRS' Class 88 fleet would be the contracted services between Daventry and Mossend on behalf of the supermarket chain Tesco.The service's path has been timed for an electric locomotive, and previously necessitated the use of a pair of Class 68s working in multiple. Other diagrams for the Class 88 have been focused on those that have previously been run under the wires with diesel traction
#drs #freighttrain #britishrailways #trainspotting #diesellocomotive #electrictrains #trainsforkids