Early activities were focused on a proposed passenger service between Okehampton and Exeter St Davids; at one point this was months away from launching in May 2010, but was eventually cancelled.

To this end, additional new-build rolling stock has been acquired and a series of new urban depots have been established in the Midlands, London, and the South East.

For this purpose, parent company BARS purchased a rake of Mark 2 carriages and several Driving Brake Standard Opens.

[8] However, this date would pass without any such service being run, reportedly due to delays in obtaining final approval from the Office of Rail Regulation, along with the necessary train operator's licence and safety certification.

[16] During November 2017, DCR was sold by BARS to a new owner, the construction and logistics specialist Cappagh Group, who have provided financial support to its new subsidiary.

[18][19] In January 2020, it was announced that 100 new box wagons, suitable for the movement of construction materials, would be provided by VTG Rail UK.

[20][21] During the sales process, both 56091 and 56103 were obtained by DCRail to facility its continued operations, while the remainder of RMS Locotec's Class 56s were sold to the spot-hire company UK Rail Leasing.