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DC Rail
Last edited by
railwayadam
• 2 weeks ago
DCRail is a specialized freight operator that utilizes a fleet of heavy-duty Class 60 and Class 56 locomotives to move bulk construction materials across Great Britain.
Founded
2011
Status
Active
Country
UK
Regions
ALL
Website
—
Reference
—
Operator Code
DC
Also known as:
Devon & Cornwall Railways, DCR, Cappagh Rail, DCRail
DCRail (legally Devon & Cornwall Railways Limited) is a key independent player in the UK rail freight sector, specializing in the "heavy haul" movement of aggregates, soil, and construction waste. Since 2017, it has operated as the rail arm of the Cappagh Group, a major civil engineering and materials firm. This vertical integration allows DCRail to provide a "pit-to-port" style service, moving massive volumes of stone and spoil directly from quarries to urban construction hubs, particularly supporting major infrastructure projects in London and the South East.
The company’s origins are quite different from its current industrial focus. It was founded in 2003 by British American Railway Services (BARS) with the original intent of running passenger services on the Dartmoor Line between Okehampton and Exeter. While those passenger plans never fully materialized, the company pivoted to freight in May 2011. After its acquisition by Cappagh, DCRail transformed from a small-scale niche operator into a robust national freight company, establishing its own strategic terminals at locations like Wembley and Willesden to bypass road congestion.
For enthusiasts, DCRail is a "heavy metal" favorite due to its reliance on classic Type 5 motive power. The fleet is primarily composed of Class 60 "Tugs" and Class 56 "Gridiron" locomotives, many of which have been rescued from storage and overhauled. Their aesthetic is particularly striking; while some locos wear the corporate DCRail Grey, others carry the vibrant Cappagh Blue or heritage-inspired liveries. A standout for spotters is 60099, which wears a unique hybrid livery designed in collaboration with model manufacturer Accurascale, blending DCRail and Cappagh branding with a nod to the old "Trainload Freight" era.
The company’s origins are quite different from its current industrial focus. It was founded in 2003 by British American Railway Services (BARS) with the original intent of running passenger services on the Dartmoor Line between Okehampton and Exeter. While those passenger plans never fully materialized, the company pivoted to freight in May 2011. After its acquisition by Cappagh, DCRail transformed from a small-scale niche operator into a robust national freight company, establishing its own strategic terminals at locations like Wembley and Willesden to bypass road congestion.
For enthusiasts, DCRail is a "heavy metal" favorite due to its reliance on classic Type 5 motive power. The fleet is primarily composed of Class 60 "Tugs" and Class 56 "Gridiron" locomotives, many of which have been rescued from storage and overhauled. Their aesthetic is particularly striking; while some locos wear the corporate DCRail Grey, others carry the vibrant Cappagh Blue or heritage-inspired liveries. A standout for spotters is 60099, which wears a unique hybrid livery designed in collaboration with model manufacturer Accurascale, blending DCRail and Cappagh branding with a nod to the old "Trainload Freight" era.
