The long awaited launch of Stobart Rail took place at Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal (DIRFT) on 19 September 2006, when DRS-owned Class 66/4 No. 66411 was shown off to guests and a limited number of railway press.

The new dedicated rail freight service will operated daily (Monday-Friday) between Daventry (DIRFT) and the Grangemouth Rail Terminal near Glasgow for Tesco PLC. The trains will be formed of 26 curtain-sided 45ft swap-body containers carrying food products from the Tesco complex at Daventry. At Grangemouth the containers will be taken by road to the Scottish Tesco distribution site at Livingston for shop distribution. The trains are operated by Direct Rail Services (DRS) under contract to Eddie Stobart Ltd.

As art of its dedicated fleet approach, DRS have outshopped Class 66/4 No. 66411 in full Stobart Rail livery, of mid-blue off-set by white and relief Eddie Stobart branding. The loco was repainted from 'as-delivered' DRS colours at Alstom Glasgow and then branded at the DRS depot in Carlisle. In keeping with Stobart policy, the loco has been named 'Eddie the Engine', starting a new series theme, as all Stobart trucks are named after women,

The new contract will run for three years, with the northbound loaded train departing from DIRFT at 06.31, travelling via the West Coast Main Line and arriving at Grangemouth at 16.06. The return train will depart from Grangemouth at 18.11 and arrive at DIRFT at 02.57. The return train will carry 90 per cent empty containers, the other 10 per cent will be back-loaded with Coca Cola products for Midlands distribution.

A total of 90 new 45ft curtain-sided containers have been purchased by Stobarts for this contract. It is estimated that some 14.500 truck movements each year will be saved by the operation of the new rail service.