Freightliner Hires in DRS Intermodal

[159220]

Hi.

I have found myself wondering this: Why does Freightliner hire in DRS Class 66s for its Intermodal services out of Southampton when it has just put off lease 573-581 (all which were Intermodal Pools)? Surely if they have a demand for Intermodal pool 66s, they should not of placed 9 off-lease....(which have now subsequently been sold to GBRf and Colas)

Recently i have seen photos (and real eyeball spottings) of 66302, 66304, 66429, 66431.

Thanks in advance.

 

[jopsuk]

Business works in odd ways. Presumably the lease contract on those locos was coming to its end, and their projections were that the demand for them would be shorter lived than a new contract would allow, so it works out cheaper over time for them to hire in locomotives on a short term basis than lease on a long term.

 

[Ferret]

Business works in odd ways. Presumably the lease contract on those locos was coming to its end, and their projections were that the demand for them would be shorter lived than a new contract would allow, so it works out cheaper over time for them to hire in locomotives on a short term basis than lease on a long term.

Not to mention the fleet of 70s on order! Must be cheaper to borrow from DRS than extend the leases on the 66/5s.

 

[TomJ93]

I saw two DRS 66's near the FL yard in Birmingham yesterday, they must've been the hire ins

 

[GNERman]

there were also 2 knocking around Ipswich on hire to FL from DRS...

 

[mbonwick]

Cheaper to sub-lease from DRS than renegotiate a deal for the of-leased 66/5s.

Also, no hassle over exams; 66303 has replaced 66429 as the hire-in (think thats the right numbers) because the 66/4 requires a B-exam.