DC Rail may be the smallest of the six freight operating companies, but it is playing a crucial role in the construction of mega projects across London and the South East as well as the first phase of HS2 between the capital and Birmingham.
The operator specialises in the movement of bulk materials for customers in the construction, energy and manufacturing sectors and is part of the Cappagh Group of companies, based in Wimbledon.
Cappagh’s formal history began when Cappagh Contractors was incorporated in 1973, and 50 years on the Group serves a wide range of sectors with civil engineering, transport, recycling and material services. Customers such as water and power utility companies are not viewed as traditional users of railfreight, however by incorporating DCR into its supply chain, Cappagh can enable more of its customers’ freight to travel by rail. This affords Cappagh’s customers an opportunity to reduce carbon emissions, improve air quality and make roads safer through the reduction in the miles covered by Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs).
David Fletcher, Cappagh Group’s director of rail, told Rail Express: “We run longer trains to Wembley and then split the train with six wagons staying there and 18 going to Chessington. Longer, heavier trains are also better for the environment and fuel efficiency. A 50% increase in train length leads to only a circa 23% increase in emissions.”
The group’s annual turnover is more than £150 million and it provides a range of construction services through its various companies, which include Cappagh Contractors, Cappagh Public Works, Express Concrete, Allen Watson and DC Rail (DCR).
DCR has been operating since
