Locomotive Services Limited is a train operating company in Great Britain. The company operates rail tours using heritage steam, diesel and electric locomotives, with support from associated companies and trusts.
History In August 2017, Locomotive Services Limited (LSL) was granted an operating licence by the Office of Rail & Road allowing it to operate main line trains in the Great Britain. Based at Crewe Diesel TMD, it is owned by Jeremy Hosking. It operated its first tour from to Kingussie in March 2018.
It built up a fleet of , and , acquired mainly from Direct Rail Services. In December 2017, it purchased two : D9000 and D9016. The former was restored at Locomotive Services' Crewe depot, whilst the latter has been cosmetically restored and transferred to the company's One:One Collection facility in Margate, Kent.
In August 2018, preserved no. D213 Andania joined Locomotive Services on a three-year lease. In 2020, a , , two and an InterCity 125 set were purchased.
Related companies, brands and trusts Hosking formed Locomotive Services under Royal Scot Locomotive and General Trust (RSLGT), a company dedicated to the maintenance and operation of steam locomotives owned by the trust, and also a number of other engines owned by him. The company operated initially from a main base at Southall Railway Centre and also a summer outpost at Bristol Barton Hill.
Locomotive Diesels Ltd Already formed under Locomotive Services to handle operations and maintenance of RSLGT's stock of Class 47 locomotives, which were purchased to assist and move both steam locomotives and coaching stock around the network, the division took more prominence after Hosking agreed to acquire two Deltic locomotives in November 2017. In January 2018, Locomotive Services announced that they had taken out a three-year loan agreement on Class 40 locomotive no. D213 to operate on the main line in the later half of 2018.
Locomotive Storage Ltd After acquiring the former Hornby factory in Margate, the Trust formed Locomotive Storage Ltd, to enable safe and weather-secure storage of locomotives awaiting overhaul, away from the busy main site at Crewe. After refurbishment and the installation of seven tracks (the site is only accessible by road), the first stock to arrive on the site was a electric multiple unit in May 2018, followed by former LNER Class A4 4464 Bittern on 1 June 2018.
Train operating company In August 2017, the associated company Locomotive Services (TOC) Ltd obtained the required certifications, licence and agreements to become a train operating company (TOC), enabling the company to operate trains on the British main line network. The first tour was operated from to in March 2018. It subsequently created the associated company Saphos Trains, which runs tours and excursions, starting and ending mainly from Crewe station. Two Class 90 electric locomotives and an InterCity 125 set were purchased from Porterbrook.
Steam Dreams railway company In June 2022, it was announced that Locomotive Services had purchased Steam Dreams and LNER Thompson Class B1 61306 Mayflower from former owner David Buck. Steam Dreams now operates under the LSL umbrella.
Fleet The Crewe-based fleet includes steam, diesel and electric locomotives.
Note: Bold represents current numbers.
Steam locomotives Not all steam locomotives listed below are owned by RSLGT/Locomotive Services, as some are operating with Locomotive Services under an agreement. Not all are also main line certified, so are restricted to on heritage railways; main line permitted speed listed below:
NumberNameClassLiveryOwnerTops no.Max speedAir brksLocationPhotographPresent statusMain line certifiedNotes4270GWR 4200 Class TGWR Lined GreenN/A25 mph (50 mph)NoKent and East Sussex RailwayUnder overhaulNoBeing overhauled by 4253 Locomotive Company as part of 10-year loan agreement5029Nunney CastleGWR "Castle" GWR Lined Green9872875 mphYesLNWR Heritage, CreweOperationalYes (2025-ongoing)Returned to main line services in 2025 after overhaul.6024King Edward IGWR "King" BR Green, Late Crest (on completion)Royal Scot Locomotive and General Trust9882475 mphYesLNWR Heritage, CreweOperationalYes (2026-ongoing)Maintained and operated by 6024 Preservation Society.6960Raveningham HallGWR Modified Hall GWR Lined Green9856025 mph (60 mph)NoOne:One CollectionAwaiting overhaulNoBoiler ticket expired in July 2021. Moved to Margate in September 202134046BrauntonSR "West Country" BR Green, Late CrestRoyal Scot Locomotive and General Trust9874675 mphYesBishops LydeardOperationalYes (20##-ongoing)35022Holland America LineSR "Merchant Navy" N/ARoyal Scot Locomotive and General Trust9882275 mphN/ALNWR Heritage, CreweStoredNoAwaiting restoration from scrapyard condition.35027Port LineSR "Merchant Navy" 4-6-2BR Green, Late CrestRoyal Scot Locomotive and General Trust9882775 mphN/ALNWR Heritage, CreweStoredNoAwaiting major overhaul; to be fitted with boiler from 35022.45231The Sherwood ForesterLMS Stanier Class 5 BR Black, Late Crest9853160 mphYesLNWR Heritage, CreweAwaiting overhaul Yes (2013-ongoing)46100Royal ScotLMS "Royal Scot" BR Green, Early EmblemRoyal Scot Locomotive and General Trust 9870275 mphYesOne:One CollectionStatic displayYes (2016 - ongoing)Stored at Margate since February 202560007Sir Nigel GresleyLNER A4 BR BlueSir Nigel Gresley Locomotive Trust9889875 mphYesLNWR Heritage, CreweOperationalYes (2022-ongoing)On ten-year partnership with SNGLT. Worked inaugural post-overhaul railtour on 21 May 2022.60019BitternLNER A4 4-6-2LNER Garter Blue9881975 mphYesUnder Overhaulrailadvent.co.uk/2023/06/steam-locomotive-60019-bittern-set-for-overhaul-in-north-yorkshire.htmlNoMoved from the One:One Collection in February 202560532Blue PeterLNER A2 BR BlueRoyal Scot Locomotive and General Trust9883275 mphYesLNWR Heritage, CreweOperationalYes (2024 - ongoing)60532 made its debut return to the main line in May 2024, undertaking its loaded test run on 2 May 2024.61306MayflowerLNER B1 BR Apple GreenLocomotive Services Group9850675 mphYesLNWR Heritage, CreweOperationalYes (2019-ongoing)Acquired in June 2022 from David Buck.70000BritanniaBR Standard Class 7 BR Green, Late CrestRoyal Scot Locomotive and General Trust9870075 mphYesLNWR Heritage, CreweOperationalYes (2022 - ongoing)Withdrawn for repairs to motion following failure of its crosshead on 22 August 2023. Returned to service in March 2024 following completion of repairs.71000Duke of GloucesterBR Standard Class 8 BR Green, Late CrestBR Class 8 Steam Locomotive Trust9880075 mphYesTyseley Locomotive WorksOperationalYes (2025-ongoing)In February 2024, it was announced that the BR Class 8 Steam Locomotive Trust and the Royal Scot Locomotive & General Trust had formed a partnership that will see the operation of 71000 on the main line, after its overhaul is complete. 71000 operated its first train since its overhaul on 6 November 2025.92212BR Standard Class 9F BR Black, Late CrestN/A25 mph (50 mph)NoMid-Hants RailwayUnder overhaulNoThe entire 9F class is banned from main line running, due to flangeless centre wheels. Withdrawn for ten-year overhaul in late 2019.
Diesel locomotives The locomotives owned by Locomotive Services Ltd and Royal Scot Locomotive & General Trust are listed below.
Note: Marked names indicate that the locomotive is not presently wearing them.
Shunters ClassPre-TOPS numberTOPS numberNameLiveryOwnerImageCurrently based atCurrent statusD359808483BungleBR BlackLocomotive Services LtdLNWR Heritage, CreweD379808631-BR BlueOperational. Returned to Crewe, following contract repair work undertaken by RMS Locotec. Use as a pilot at the LNWR Heritage site.D390508737BR GreenLocomotive Services SouthallD394808780ZippyBR GreenLNWR Heritage, Crewe
Main line The operational main line diesel fleet is based entirely at Crewe Diesel Depot. Some locomotives are off-site either in storage, on hire or under restoration. ClassPre-TOPS numberTOPS numberNameLiveryOwnerImageCurrently based atCurrent statusClass 20D809620096-BR GreenLocomotive Services LtdLNWR Heritage, CreweD810720107Jocelyn Feilding 1940–2020D811820118Saltburn-by-the-SeaBR Railfreight Red StripeD813220132-Class 37D689037190BR BlueOne:One CollectionStopped due to an engine fault in 2020, while at the Severn Valley Railway. Moved to Margate in August 2021.D696837401Mary Queen of ScotsScotRailLNWR Heritage, CreweAcquired in December 2023 from DRS. Will return to operation after a major exam.D697037409-ScotRailD681737521BR GreenD685137667FlopsieClass 45D6745118The Royal ArtillerymanBR BlueRoyal Scot Locomotive and General TrustBarrow Hill RoundhouseClass 47D194447501CraftsmanBR GreenLocomotive Services LtdLNWR Heritage, CreweD197347593Galloway PrincessBR Large Logo BlueD193547805Roger Hosking MA 1925-2013BR GreenD192447810Crewe Diesel DepotD165047816-Freightliner GreenStored, spares donorD164547830Beeching's LegacyFreightliner Green Acquired from Freightliner in mid-2024, to be overhauled and returned to operationsD172647841The Institution of Mechanical EngineersBR InterCityLNWR Heritage, CreweStored, spares donor.D173347853-BR BlueLNWR Heritage, CreweClass 55D901655016Gordon HighlanderBR GreenOne:One CollectionStatic display. Acquired from former owners, alongside 55022, for use on main line railtours. Selected parts on loco (traction motors, engine, etc.) were taken off 55016 to be used on 55022 to return the engine to service. Following a cosmetic overhaul, the engine was moved to the One:One Collection museum in Margate, where it will be placed on display awaiting its turn in the overhaul queue.D900055022Royal Scots GreyLNWR Heritage, CreweClass 57-57002Winston ChurchillLNWR Lined BlackLNWR Heritage, Crewe-57003InterCity Railway Society 50th Anniversary 1973-2023BR Railfreight Distribution-57004-Debranded DRS blue-Sold to GWR for spares for their Class 57/6 fleet; the body shell was sold to and broken up by Watsons and Sons, Stafford, July 2023-57007-LNWR Heritage, Crewe-57302Chad Varah--57311The Institution of Mechanical EngineersLNWR Lined BlackLNWR Heritage, CreweClass 60-60081Isambard Kingdom Brunel / Bleaklow HillGWR GreenOne:One Collection, MargateClass 73E600173001-BR BlueEcclesbourne Valley RailwayPurchased from the Dean Forest Railway in 2019
Class 43 (HST) power cars Locomotive Services own nine Class 43 power cars, with seven currently in service. All power cars are used/to be used on the Midland Pullman luxury train service, with the exception of 43083.