Network rail has awarded five suppliers contracts worth a total of £600 million to provide haulage on its engineering trains.

Its National Delivery Service (NDS) signed the agreement to provide locomotives and drivers with DB Schenker, Freightliner Heavy Haul, GBRf, Direct Rail Services and Colas Rail. 

The five-year deal will see the companies supply their services in different proportions, depending on where the vehicles are required and also taking into account the individual strengths of the businesses.

Under the contract, the suppliers will be given a guaranteed volume which also includes an amount of flexibility, enabling Network Rail and the companies to adapt and manage changes in demand.

Network Rail's director of NDS Martin Elwood said: "This is a vital contract for us and will be crucial to delivering the high volumes of work we have committed to in Control Period Five."

Trains covered by the deal include snow and ice treatment vehicles, high output renewals and shunting and support services.