There might be a general nashing of teeth over this but DBS stopped long ago relying on running trains to make cash. Over a period of time they have disposed of numerous sites as well as hundreds of locos and thousands of wagons. Last year they pocketed multi millions from Network Rail for handing back leases on underused sites.
All predictions for railfreight point to big increases in overall volumes In the years ahead and this is with the decline in coal factored in as it was well known.
On thing about the current coal dropoff does perplex me. If the power stations have been stockpiling coal then in theory this meant traffic levels were increased before April 1st. The fact they have now dropped off is surely only a temporary issue whilst the stockpiles are sorted out. Over the year there would in theory be no difference in tonnages moved. Also I believe that it takes double the amount of biomass to coal to generate the same energy levels.
The worry for DBS is surely that their recruitment policy is too short sighted and rather than take a long term view they have tied themselves to the cyclical nature of the industry too tightly and will be forever recruiting or laying off. Maybe not the best way to run such a business.
All predictions for railfreight point to big increases in overall volumes In the years ahead and this is with the decline in coal factored in as it was well known.
On thing about the current coal dropoff does perplex me. If the power stations have been stockpiling coal then in theory this meant traffic levels were increased before April 1st. The fact they have now dropped off is surely only a temporary issue whilst the stockpiles are sorted out. Over the year there would in theory be no difference in tonnages moved. Also I believe that it takes double the amount of biomass to coal to generate the same energy levels.
The worry for DBS is surely that their recruitment policy is too short sighted and rather than take a long term view they have tied themselves to the cyclical nature of the industry too tightly and will be forever recruiting or laying off. Maybe not the best way to run such a business.