The DB Schenker Company Train (formerly the EWS Executive Train) is a special train operated in the United Kingdom by freight operator DB Schenker (formerly English Welsh and Scottish Railway), a division of Deutsche Bahn. It was assembled as the replacement for the company's aging inspection saloon,[1][2] and is used for entertaining corporate clients.[3] It is notable for solving problems of electrical compatibility and indirectly leading to the reintroduction of regular daytime diesel-hauled trains onto the National Rail network.
The fixed configuration set consists of three British Rail Mark 3 coaches sandwiched between a driving trailer and locomotive. The concept of rewiring older passenger rolling stock for compatibility with different electric systems lead to the reintroduction of locomotive-hauled services by train operating companies within the United Kingdom. The design of a British Rail Class 67, rewired British Rail Mark 3 passengers coaches and a Driving Van Trailer (DVT) was followed, starting with the introduction of services by open access operator Wrexham & Shropshire in 2008.
The train is explicitly exempted from regulations covering "Working of Passenger Trains Over Non-Passenger Lines", allowing the train to operate between EWS freight depots without additional documentation requirements.[4]
Contents |
The coaches use a maroon-coloured paint scheme and are used for hospitality. The conference coach provides a cinema and boardroom suite, with seating for 14 people in each area. In the centre, there is a dining coach with reception and bar areas. The third coach is a renovated sleeping car; with half the usual number of bedrooms and addition of en-suite facilities.
The end units, a dedicated Class 67 No. 67029 diesel locomotive and Driving Van Trailer also sport a special livery differing from the main coaches—striking silver with black lettering. DVT No. 82146 has been modified with controls for Electro-Motive Diesel's AAR system used on British Rail Class 59/66/67 engines, the signals are conveyed over additional cabling installed in the intervening coaches.
Both the DVT and locomotive contain cab-mounted video cameras to provide patrons with a "driver's eye view" from the conference coach.
The train is a fixed formation of five vehicles. The matched Class 67 locomotive undertaking other freight activities between hauling the company train.[5]
| Vehicle | Number[6] | Livery | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class 67 | 67029 | Silver | Locomotive (cab-mounted cameras) |
| Mk3a FO | 11039 | Maroon | First Open (reception and dining) |
| Mk3 RFM | 10211[n 1] | Maroon | Restaurant First Modular (conference and cinema) |
| Mk3a SLEP | 10546 | Maroon | Sleeper Either Pantry (5 bedrooms, 2 ensuite) |
| Mk3 DVT | 82146 | Silver | Driving Van Trailer (AAR multiple working controls) |
|
||||||||||||||