That same year, UKRL bought the Leicester depot, where it was making additional investments to expand the firm's maintenance, engineering, and overhaul capabilities.

UKRL was in the process of overhauling up to 13 of its Class 56s with a view to reactivating them for spot-leasing to various operators; these endeavours had reportedly been accelerated in response to customer demand for the type.

[12] During early 2016, Alan Lee, UKRL's Head of Engineering, spoke further on this initiative, which was presented as a cost-efficient solution to freight operators' need for heavy haul locomotives, and that seven prospective customers, both domestic and overseas, had been identified.

[14] During June 2018, it was announced that all 16 of UKRL's Class 56s had been purchased by the freight operator GB Railfreight (GBRf), shortly thereafter, several were transported from Leicester to Electro-Motive Diesel's Longport facility.

[15][16][17] GBRf has also contracted UKRL to work on its Class 92 electric locomotive fleet, including the changing of traction motors and wheelsets, modifications to the brake stack and coolers, along with identifying and implementing reliability enhancements.

[19] A significant proportion of the Rail Operations Group (ROG) second generation multiple unit moves involved use of translator vehicles, as the locomotive was unable to connect directly to the tightlock coupler.