Donnington Line Is Live!

[Proud Salopian]

http://www.shropshirestar.com/2009/02/10/first-train-rolls-on-to-new-line/

First train rolls on to new line

The Class 66 locomotive pulls into Telford railfreight terminal

The first train rolled into the new £9 million Telford International Railfreight Terminal today.

The locomotive was brought in via the connection to the national rail network at Wellington and was designed to test the facility, tracks and points prior to the terminal becoming fully operational in May.

The train was due to arrive at 11.38am, but was delayed due to hold-ups at Wellington and arrived just before noon.

Councillors and engineers were at Telford International Railfreight Park to witness the train arriving at the terminal – the first since the branch line was removed in 1993.

 

[The Planner]

Shame that none of the big freight players want to go in there as the costs are to high to use it !!

 

[EE Type 3]

Blimey, they got that story up quick! And whoever took that photo should be shot, he's burnt out the wrekin!

The not so exclusive phots of mine will be up tomorrow

 

[Proud Salopian]

I look forward to your shots!

Did the train go Telford-Wellington-Donnington or Shrewsbury-Wellington-Donnington? And if it came Telford-Wellington-Donnington did the 66 run round at Wellington? (From what I can see in the Shropshire Star photo the train is short enough to run round at Wellington.)

 

[EE Type 3]

It came from Crewe via Salop, and trundled on in. A short photo shoot was held, then the consist went about trying out all the lines, as stated. From the looks of it it will be able to load two trains, with room for 4 in the holding sidings. There is talk of a shunter there too....

 

[Proud Salopian]

Cheers for the info.

Would that be the first shunter (non-preservation) based in Shropshire since, what, the late 1980s? (Coton Hill?)

If it's going to be an 08 or 09 I'll probably be spending rather a lot of time at Donnington in future, as I'm rather fond of the things.

The yard layout should be as per the approved plan:

http://www.telford.gov.uk/NR/rdonly...9EBD0080A2D7/25473/DevelopmentSites170708.pdf

(This is a 3Mb PDF document.)

 

[Guinness]

Any set flows to the new terminal announced yet?

 

[Proud Salopian]

Aha - found some photos! (Not mine.)

http://carlsgallery.fotopic.net/c1580013_25.html

Seems that the terminal has been built as per that PDF plan (see my earlier post) except that the single track which curves round the back of the existing warehouses/factory isn't complete (but the link is there, so I guess they can finish it if needs be). Looks great.

 

[The_Rail_WAy]

Aha - found some photos! (Not mine.)

http://carlsgallery.fotopic.net/c1580013_25.html

Seems that the terminal has been built as per that PDF plan (see my earlier post) except that the single track which curves round the back of the existing warehouses/factory isn't complete (but the link is there, so I guess they can finish it if needs be). Looks great.

Great shots!

The site looks fantastic, really neat in tidy. The openess of the site, combined with the railways close relationship with the road reminds me of Trafford Park in a way.

Also love the train warning signs - why are steam engines still used in modern times? Never understood that one.

 

[EE Type 3]

Any set flows to the new terminal announced yet?

The initial talk was 5 trains a day, but we'll see.

David, I see you've found my mates site

Mine are up too now if anyones interested

 

[Proud Salopian]

Yeah - great photos of your own.

I suspect the terminal won't be in full flow during the recession - we might have to wait a year or two to see it in real action!

Just seen that there's now a video on the Shropshire Star website!

http://www.shropshirestar.com/2009/02/11/huge-buzz-as-freight-train-rolls-in/

So, any further info on this rumoured shunter?

 

[EE Type 3]

So, any further info on this rumoured shunter?

No, now calm down

 

[Proud Salopian]

Bah, there had better be one - you've got me all worked up!

I say we go down there to the site manager's office and chant "we want an oh-eight and we won't wait!"

 

[Proud Salopian]

Anyone got any photos of the EWS MoD train that came into the depot today?

http://www.shropshirestar.com/2009/03/23/freight-train-is-terminal-first

 

[EE Type 3]

Of course I have

One of the outward train
http://daviddawson.fotopic.net/p57084923.html
And reversing into the terminal
http://daviddawson.fotopic.net/p57084924.html
http://daviddawson.fotopic.net/p57084925.html

Dave

 

[Proud Salopian]

Excellent - thanks for the photos!