DRS Open Day 2017 – A Great Success
DRS’s Flagship event took place on Saturday 22nd July 2017 at our Kingmoor Depot in Carlisle. The annual event raises money for charities and local causes and we are delighted to announce that a record breaking £29,000 was raised at this year’s event! Thank you everyone!
We would like to thank everyone who visited the 2017 Open Day. All monies raised will be donated via DRS’s Sponsorship & Donations Committee who provide and manage assistance to local communities around the sites where DRS operate through sponsorships, charitable giving and employee participation in local and national fundraising events. Last year DRS were able to support over 50 different causes and donated over £21,000.00 via the Sponsorship & Donations fund.
The 2017 Open Day saw around 20% of our fleet on display with as much variety as possible. From the Class 20 locomotive to the brand new Class 88 locomotive there really was something for everyone. For those with a more technical interest, the maintenance shed was open allowing access to the cabs of locomotives including the Class 88 where Stadler Rail were available to answer any questions. This kind of access cannot be found anywhere else and is a privilege we are proud to offer our visitors.
DRS volunteers were on hand to chat to visitors and explain what is involved in maintaining the DRS fleet and provide technical information. The event also provides the industry with an opportunity to promote railway safety as well as the career and apprenticeship opportunities available.
Network Rail, British Transport Police and Sammy the Safety Bear from Virgin Trains were all able to support the event, highlighting how they help to keep the UK Rail Network safe for us all.
The event saw DRS celebrate a naming ceremony. 66301 was unveiled as ‘Kingmoor TMD’ This is the first of our Class 66 locomotives to be named. Also a first was our nameplate auction, which boosted our total with £14,000!
DRS would like to thank all traders and exhibitors for their support including Stadler who travelled from Valencia! A big thank you to CAT for displaying both the Class 68 and 88 engines and our event sponsors AST Signs and Tesco. Finally a special thanks goes to the Open Day working group, without their dedication and enthusiasm the event would not be possible and of course the many volunteers who work the event.
We hope to see you at our Gresty Bridge depot in Crewe next year!