Direct Rail Services needed a new diesel locomotive around 2010, which, in contrast to the widespread class 66, could also be used in passenger service and, above all, should have more comfortable cabs. An offer came from Vossloh España, which included a version of the EuroLight specially adapted for the British market. DRS received 34 locomotives in a total of three batches, of which the later ones were already delivered by Stadler.

The class 68 has only four axles and a light, fast-running Caterpillar engine with 2,800 kW or 3,800 hp. Despite the top speed of 100 mph (161 km/h), a starting tractive force of 71.000 pounds is achieved thanks to the three-phase traction motors. Some of the locomotives were equipped with push-pull train control so that passenger trains could be driven with driving trailers or in top-and-tail operation.

At DRS, the class 68 mainly pulls container trains, but also trains from the infrastructure operator Network Rail and nuclear flasks. Chiltern Railways, TransPennine Express and formerly Abellio ScotRail have also leased the class 68 from DRS for passenger service. TPE only plans to use the class 68 together with the modern driving trailers until December 2023 and replace it with railcars.