I wonder if Deutsche Bahn knew what it was letting itself in for when it acquired EWS - for it seems German efficiency has yet to be passed down to some in the 'charter planning department' of the biggest UK railfreight operator.rnCharter trains require an 8-12-week lead time for planning so Network Rail and the train operator can sort it out and make sure if s feasible. NR is often in my sights, but this time it's what can only be described as DB Schenker's gross incompetence and lack of planning that angers me.rnWe all know the bean counters and higher management at DBS do not like the clapped-out old Class 37s they inherited, but there are some lines and some contracts that require these locos. Now, it must be said there is nothing wrong with a 1960s loco working in 2009, as, providing they are maintained, they'll generally be fine.rnAnd that is partly where DBS has fallen down. It hasn't maintained the locos sufficiently. DBS already was forced to hand over a snowplough contract to DRS because of its skeleton fleet of two 37s, one collapsed with a defective engine and the other was limping on like a footballer with a broken metatarsal.
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