A rail company that began as a Sellafield spin off has been named as the UK’s ‘best performing freight operator’ for the third year running. 

DRS, now based in Carlisle, triumphed in the Golden Whistle Awards, organised by the Institution of Railway Operators in conjunction with Modern Railways magazine.

The awards celebrate operational excellence in the rail industry.

The Golden Whistle is awarded for consistent arrival times over the previous 12 months.

DRS was judged more reliable than any of its competitors.

Alan Moore, executive chairman of DRS, said: “Any business will only be successful if they develop a strong reputation for reliability.

“At DRS, we know all of our customers expect and rely on quality services. Therefore to win this award not just once but three years running is a fantastic achievement, a great testament to everyone involved in the company.” 

DRS – short for Direct Rail Services – was formed by BNFL at Sellafield in 1995 as a specialist operator with expertise in nuclear cargoes, following rail privatisation. It remains a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority.

Although DRS stills transports nuclear material, it has diversified into other types of rail freight.

The business employs 450 staff, has an annual turnover of £70m, and operates from rail hubs in Carlisle and Crewe and 23 depots.

It provides locomotives to Chiltern Railways and ScotRail, and operates locomotive-hauled passenger trains on the Cumbrian Coast line between, Carlisle and Lancaster via Barrow, on behalf of Northern Rail.

The company also provides the ‘Thunderbirds’ locomotives that come to the rescue when Virgin’s trains break down on the West Coast Main Line.