Europhoenix / ESH Class 37s discussion (including ROG spot hire)

[Welshguy1048]

Filmed at Prestatyn, North Wales

13/07/26 - ROG Class 37 - 37884 - Light Locomotive - Holyhead Car M.D. to Cardiff Canton Sidings

Dave

 

[D365]

Although RAIL Magazine seems to still be under the impression that Daniel Beecroft's business is known as "DBI Holdings" rather than "ESH Rail Services", it confirms that Europhoenix has been acquired and that the operational Class 37 fleet has been transferred to a new subsidiary company "Europhoenix Holdings Ltd (EHL)".

Having planned to cease train operating, Europhoenix Rail Ltd (EPR) will continue in the business after it was bought out by DBI Holdings.

It will trade as EPR but is part of Europhoenix Holdings Ltd (EHL), a subsidiary of DBI.

The acquisition means EHL now owns 11 Class 37s and 66 Class 60s, the latter all bought from DB Cargo UK over the last three years.

The Class 37s were all owned by EPR, and all but one are in use for spot hire, mostly with Rail Operations Group, but they are also hired by others such as RailAdventure, Colas and Hanson & Hall.

The deal gives DBI the freight operating licence it needs to start running its own trains using the Class 60s that is has bought, the first of which, 60063 has now been reactivated (RAIL 1062).

EPR gained its own licence in 2024 but while it did some train operations, mostly in the rail services sector, earlier this year it announced it was ceasing such work (RAIL 1065).

EPR will continue to operate under its existing name with the day-to-day operations and strategic direction of the business remaining under the leadership of Managing Director Glenn Edwards, and Safety and Compliance Director Gary Prodger.

The new company says the move would mark “the start of an exciting new chapter for one of the UK’s recognised railfreight and locomotive businesses”.

The active EPR fleet comprises 37218, 37407/423, 37501/510/512, 37611, 37800/884 and 37901 – all previously owned by Edwards – as well as 60063.

N.B. the established thread for ESH's Class 60s is linked here.

 

[DJGREW999]

60063 hitching a lift to Colwick MPD courtesy of 37218 + 37407

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:01821/2026-08-06/detailed

 

[Welshguy1048]

Filmed at Prestatyn, North Wales

10/08/26 - ROG Class 37 - 37800 & TfW Class 756 - 756007 - Cardiff Canton Sdgs to Holyhead Car M.D.

 

[The exile]

Filmed at Prestatyn, North Wales

10/08/26 - ROG Class 37 - 37800 & TfW Class 756 - 756007 - Cardiff Canton Sdgs to Holyhead Car M.D.

Took me ages to twig that the sound I was hearing at Bristol Parkway at 07.30 wasn’t “normal” any more (mores the pity!)

 

[47286Dan]

Sunday morning update

ROG

37501 GROG DERBY RTC DERBY RTC F N
37510 GROG LOUGBO HS LOUGBO HS F N
37512 GROG DERBY RTC DERBY RTC D N
37611 GROG RECTRYJCR RECTRYJCR F N
37800 GROG DERBY RTC DERBY RTC E N
37884 GROG DERBY RTC 570H651F16 F SOHO LMD N

EUROPHEONIX

37069 EPUK RECTRYJCR RECTRYJCR F D
37218 EPUK TOTON TMD TOTON TMD F N
37407 EPRL WMBLY LHS WMBLY LHS F N
37423 EPUK RECTRYJCR RECTRYJCR F N
37901 EPUK LESTER SD LESTER SD F N

Dan

 

[Welshguy1048]

Filmed at Prestatyn, North Wales

18/08/26 - ROG Class 37 - 37512 "Thornaby Demon" - Light Locomotive - Derby R.T.C. to Holyhead Car M.D.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 18 Aug 2026 ==

Filmed at Prestatyn, North Wales

18/08/26 - ROG Class 37 - 37512 "Thornaby Demon" & TfW Class 756 - 756007 - Holyhead Car M.D. to Cardiff Canton Sdgs

 

[Jacob Porrett]

Any idea if 37510 will come out in a different livery and possible a new/original number?

 

[D365]

Any idea if 37510 will come out in a different livery and possible a new/original number?

I highly doubt that 510 would revert to its pre-refurbishment number 112.

 

[Jacob Porrett]

I highly doubt that 510 would revert to its pre-refurbishment number 112.

Just wondered as they did the others.

 

[47286Dan]

Wednesday morning update

ROG

37501 GROG DERBY RTC DERBY RTC F N
37510 GROG LOUGBO HS LOUGBO HS F N
37512 GROG CANTONSDG 780M581G26 F DERBY RTC N
37611 GROG RECTRYJCR RECTRYJCR F N
37800 GROG RECTRYJCR 550H651G26 F SOHO LMD N
37884 GROG DERBY RTC DERBY RTC F N

Europheonix

37069 EPUK RECTRYJCR RECTRYJCR F D
37218 EPUK RECTRYJCR 550Z601G26 F ELY N
37407 EPRL LESTER SD LESTER SD F N
37423 EPUK LESTER SD LESTER SD F N
37901 EPUK LESTER SD LESTER SD F N

Dan