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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Crewe-based fleet includes steam, diesel and electric locomotives.
Note: Bold represents current numbers.
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:
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.
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.
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.
Not all diesel locomotives used by Locomotive Services are owned by them; some are loaned to the company for use on railtours. The privately-owned locos are listed below: