DB Schenker unveils new look

DBS swaps maroon and gold for red and grey.

BRITAIN’S LARGEST RAIL freight company, DB Schenker Rail (UK) Ltd, formerly known as English Welsh & Scottish Railway Company, has revealed its brand new image, which will be displayed on everything from locomotives to stationary and uniforms. Clearly inspired by the famous livery of its parent company, Deutsche Bahn, it continues the use of the ‘Schenker’ name in the UK, which first appeared on Class 60 ‘specials’ Nos. 60040 & 60074.

A Class 59/2 locomotive, used for hauling trains loaded with aggregate materials in southern Britain has become the first machine to be rolled out in the new look. No. 59206 will be put on display at the National Railway Museum in York prior to a formal naming ceremony. Previously dedicated Pride of Ferrybridge and Vale of Belvoir it will gain a name befitting of its present duties.

The locomotive will take pride of place as a modern ‘temporary exhibit’ on the National Railway Museum’s working turntable. In recognition of the important role the museum has in recording the ever evolving railway in Britain, DB Schenker felt it was the right place to display its confident new look for rail freight in the UK. Visitors to the museum on Friday January 23rd and Saturday January 24th will have a rare opportunity to view the newest and brightest brand in the UK rail freight market at close hand, before it departs to start hauling freight trains under the DB Schenker name.

A DB Schenker spokesperson said: “The strategy of DB Schenker is clear. We are working to grow the volume of freight hauled on Britain’s railway, and in doing so reduce CO2 emissions by transferring freight from road to rail. DB Schenker is a proud supporter of the National Railway Museum and we are pleased that its visitors will be the first people to view our new livery and brand, which is targeted towards growing UK rail freight.”

The National Railway Museum is open from 10.00 until 18.00 each day and admission is free.

More pictures of No. 59206 and the full story of the DB Schenker rebranding can be found in the next issue of RAIL EXPRESS, out on January 29th.